The Star Wars Adventure Journal
From 1994 to 1997, The Official Star Wars Adventure Journal, also known as Star Wars Adventure Journal, was released by West End Games. A total of fifteen editions were created, featuring brief tales from both renowned and relatively unknown Star Wars writers; adventures and source content tailored for Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game; in-universe news bulletins originating from across the galaxy called Galaxywide NewsNets; discussions with figures from all aspects of Star Wars storytelling; and evaluations of both new and upcoming Star Wars merchandise.
Following the distribution of issue number fifteen, the Adventure Journal series was ended. This was due to financial difficulties that compelled West End Games to relinquish the license to continue publishing Star Wars works.
The inaugural issue of the Adventure Journal, Star Wars Adventure Journal 1, saw its release in February of 1994. It showcased brief narratives like First Contact by Timothy Zahn, which later found a home in the short-story compilation Tales from the Empire; Escape from Balis-Baurgh crafted by Paul Balsamo; and Breaking Free penned by Dave Marron. Accompanying these short stories was a collection of articles from various contributors, including the debut of Wanted by Cracken by Thomas Woods in the Adventure Journal. Peter Schweighofer served as the editor for the first issue.
The second installment in the Adventure Journal series, Star Wars Adventure Journal 2, was made available in May of 1994. Besides the assortment of short stories, such as Whispers in the Dark by Charlene Newcomb, Adventure Journal 2 stands out because of its selection of articles and interviews. Among these were You're in the Army Now! by James Cambias and Making Star Wars Comics Come Alive, a conversation between Ilene Rosenberg and Tom Veitch.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 3, the third edition of the Adventure Journal, was released in August of 1994. Adventure Journal 3 compiled a range of short stories from writers like Charlene Newcomb, Patricia A. Jackson, and Dave Marron, among others. Similarly, these short stories were visually enhanced by artists, including Mike Vilardi, a seasoned artist from West End Games. The articles included the continuation of Wanted by Cracken, which began in Adventure Journal 1, as well as Drawing A Daily Diet of Star Wars Comics, authored by Ilene Rosenberg.
The fourth installment of the Adventure Journal, Star Wars Adventure Journal 4, was published in November of 1994. Adventure Journal 4 is distinguished by an original short story crafted specifically for the Journal by Kathy Tyers, the author of The Truce at Bakura. To go along with Tyers' short story, Ilene Rosenberg included an interview she conducted with Tyers, focusing on the creation and development of The Truce at Bakura. Other content in Adventure Journal 4 included the ongoing Wanted by Cracken series, and It's a Gambler's Life by Anthony P. Russo, which provided information on gambling characters for Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 5, the fifth issue of the Adventure Journal, was released in February 1995. It featured multiple short stories, such as Turning Point by Charlene Newcomb and Vengeance Strike by Peter Schweighofer. The articles featured in this issue included A Buyer's Guide to Alternative Starships, which gave details on numerous new spacecraft, and Smugglers of the Outer Rim by Doug Shuler. Peter Schweighofer was the editor for Adventure Journal 5.
The sixth issue of the Adventure Journal, Star Wars Adventure Journal 6, was available in May 1995. Adventure Journal 6 brought together a variety of articles, including "Relic," an adventure focused on the Dark Jedi Durrei, written by George R. Strayton and illustrated by Doug Shuler. This issue also contained a selection of short stories, such as To Fight Another Day, penned by Kathy Tyers and illustrated by Mike Vilardi, and Rendezvous with Destiny by Charlene Newcomb.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 7, the seventh issue of the Adventure Journal, was released in August 1995. Adventure Journal 7 is notable for its role-playing articles, including Cracken's Rebel Operatives by Timothy O'Brien, illustrated by Scott Neely, and The Kaal Connection, co-written by Peter Schweighofer and Timothy Zahn. This issue also featured an interview by Ilene Rosenberg titled The Adventures of Rogue Squadron. This journal also marked the debut of Corran Horn.
The eighth issue of the Adventure Journal, Star Wars Adventure Journal 8, was published in November 1995. Unlike previous issues, which had covers depicting scenes from the Star Wars universe, the cover of Adventure Journal 8 showed Yoda dressed as Santa Claus, a well-known winter figure. The articles in this issue included The Gree Enclave by Timothy S. O'Brien, and Counterstrike by George R. Strayton. Adventure Journal 8 is also remembered for the initial publication of the short stories Uhl Eharl Khoehng, by Patricia A. Jackson, later reprinted in the Tales from the New Republic anthology, and A Certain Point of View and Blaze of Glory, both later included in Tales from the Empire.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 9, the ninth issue of the Adventure Journal, was released in February 1996. Adventure Journal 9 featured a collection of short stories, including Slaying Dragons, a story that takes place shortly after the Battle of Hoth in 3 ABY, written by Angela Phillips. This short story was later reprinted in the Tales from the Empire anthology. Journal 9 also included various articles for use with Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, such as Fizzi's Slightly Used Starships by John J. Richardson III, which provided details on several spacecraft from the Star Wars universe.
The tenth issue of the Adventure Journal, Star Wars Adventure Journal 10, was released in May 1996. Adventure Journal 10 marked the return of veteran Star Wars writer Kathy Tyers, who contributed the short story Only Droids Serve the Maker. Other short stories included Desperate Measures by Carolyn Golledge, and The Capture of Imperial Hazard by Nora Mayers. Similar to previous years' Adventure Journals, Adventure Journal 10 featured roleplaying articles, such as A Free-Trader's Guide to the Planets, which provided information on several planets.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 11, the eleventh issue of the Adventure Journal, was released in November 1996. Adventure Journal 11 is noteworthy because, unlike earlier issues, it included a comic strip along with the usual selection of short stories and game articles. The comic strip, Bungo n' Rusti Get Carry-Out, was written by Jim Anderson. The articles included Alien Encounters, written by Timothy S. O'Brien, which provided background information and game stats for various aliens for use in Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game.
The twelfth issue of the Adventure Journal, Star Wars Adventure Journal 12, was released in February 1997. Adventure Journal 12 is notable for featuring the first two parts of the short story Side Trip, written by Timothy Zahn and Michael A. Stackpole. This short story was later reprinted in the Tales from the Empire anthology. Side Trip centered on a character claiming to be the bounty hunter Jodo Kast, and the father-son duo of Hal and Corran Horn. Adventure Journal 12 is also important as the first Adventure Journal to include an article by Pablo Hidalgo, who later became a successful contributor to the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 13, the thirteenth issue of the Adventure Journal, was released in May 1997. This issue featured a selection of articles for the Star Wars roleplaying game, including Special Ops: Ship Jackers, co-written by John Beyer and Kathy Burdette, and Scouts' Dispatch by Peter Woodworth. Adventure Journal 13 also featured the final two parts of the short story Side Trip, with part three written by Timothy Zahn and part four by Michael A. Stackpole. The short story was later included in the Tales from the Empire anthology.
The fourteenth issue of the Adventure Journal, Star Wars Adventure Journal 14, was released in August 1997. Adventure Journal 14 is notable for featuring an original short story, Murder in Slushtime, written by Barbara Hambly, who authored two Star Wars novels focusing on Callista Ming. Murder in Slushtime continued the story of Callista, a former Jedi who had lost her connection to the Force. The other pieces in Adventure Journal 14 included the articles Special Ops: Drop Points and From the Files of Corellia Antilles.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 15 was the fifteenth and final published issue of the Adventure Journal, released in November 1997. A unique aspect of Adventure Journal 15 was the work of Kevin J. Anderson, the author of The Jedi Academy Trilogy and several Tales of the Jedi comics. Anderson's short story, Firestorm, focused on Tionne and Luke Skywalker. Journal 15 also featured roleplaying game articles, including Special Military Unit Intelligence Update by Timothy O'Brien, which provided updates on military units introduced in earlier West End Games products.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 16 was the first issue of the Adventure Journal to be canceled, due to the financial problems of West End Games. It was intended to feature short stories like Credit Denied by George R. Strayton, and Gathering Shadows by Kathy Burdette. Gathering Shadows was later published in the Tales from the New Republic anthology.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 17 was the second canceled issue of the Adventure Journal, also due to the financial problems of West End Games. It was intended to include short stories such as Jade Solitaire, by Timothy Zahn, which told the story of how Mara Jade obtained her ship, Jade's Fire. Also planned for inclusion was Love Is a Warm Blaster, which was eventually released online.
- " Star Wars Publications Timeline " — Star Wars Insider 23
- " Assignment: Decoy " — Star Wars Galaxy Magazine 7
- The Secrets of Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire
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Adventure Journal in the StarWars.com Cargo Bay (content now obsolete; backup link)
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