The magazine Star Wars Insider released its 53rd issue, Star Wars Insider 53, to stores in April of 2001.
- " Dark Force Rising: An Interview with Ian McDiarmid " (by Scott Chernoff): Ian McDiarmid gives reasons as to why Palpatine's intentions are more questionable than ever. Scott Chernoff examines evil from a fresh perspective, noting that when Palpatine is evil, he is extremely evil.
- " Getting to the Bottom of the Topps Star Wars Trading Cards " (by Michael G. Ryan): From a misbehaving C-3PO to signed chase cards, Topps has created a large amount of Star Wars trading cards, enough to make Pikachu envious. Michael G. Ryan presents a history of Topps Star Wars trading cards.
- " The Essential Guide to Alien Species : Anthropology 101": Insider provides an early look at the upcoming Essential Guide to Aliens, which includes significant information on Rodians, Verpine, and Yuuzhan Vong. And this is only a sample!
- "From the Editor's Desk" (by Jeff Quick)
- " Rebel Rumblings "
- " Prequel Update with Rick McCallum " (by Dan Madsen)
- " Star News "
- " The Jawa Trader "
- " Comics Link " — What Was... (by Dave Land)
- " Bookshelf " — Keyes to the Galaxy (by Jason Fry)
- " Gamescape " — Star Wars: Starfighter (by Blake Fischer)
- " Scouting the Galaxy " — Is Star Wars Collecting Dead? (by Stephen J. Sansweet)
- " Dear 2-1B "
- " The Last Page "