The Star Wars Adventure Journal
From 1994 to 1997, The Official Star Wars Adventure Journal, also known as the Star Wars Adventure Journal, was released by West End Games. A total of fifteen editions were created, featuring brief narratives penned by both established and lesser-known authors from the Star Wars universe. These journals also included adventures and background information for Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, Galaxywide NewsNets (fictional news reports from across the galaxy), interviews with various figures from Star Wars literature, and evaluations of upcoming and recently launched Star Wars merchandise.
After the fifteenth issue was launched, the Adventure Journal series was stopped. This was because West End Games encountered monetary challenges that forced them to relinquish their rights to continue publishing Star Wars content.
The inaugural edition of the Adventure Journal, titled Star Wars Adventure Journal 1, saw its release in February of 1994. Inside, readers found concise stories like First Contact by Timothy Zahn, which was subsequently included in the Tales from the Empire anthology; Escape from Balis-Baurgh by Paul Balsamo; and Breaking Free by Dave Marron. Accompanying these stories were various articles written by different individuals, notably the initial appearance of Wanted by Cracken by Thomas Woods in the Adventure Journal. Peter Schweighofer served as the editor for this first issue.
The second installment in the Adventure Journal series, Star Wars Adventure Journal 2, was made available in May of 1994. In addition to the collection 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 the included content were You're in the Army Now! by James Cambias and Making Star Wars Comics Come Alive, an interview with Tom Veitch conducted by Ilene Rosenberg.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 3, the third edition of the Adventure Journal, was released in August of 1994. This issue featured a compilation of short stories from authors like Charlene Newcomb, Patricia A. Jackson, and Dave Marron, among others. These stories were brought to life through illustrations by various artists, including Mike Vilardi, a seasoned artist from West End Games. Among the articles featured were the continuation of Wanted by Cracken, which began in Adventure Journal 1, and Drawing A Daily Diet of Star Wars Comics, penned by Ilene Rosenberg.
The fourth installment, Star Wars Adventure Journal 4, was published in November of 1994. This issue is particularly noteworthy for featuring an original short story crafted specifically for the Journal by Kathy Tyers, the author of The Truce at Bakura. To complement Tyers' story, Ilene Rosenberg included an interview she conducted with Tyers, delving into the concepts and creation of The Truce at Bakura. Additional content in Adventure Journal 4 included the continuation of Wanted by Cracken and It's a Gambler's Life by Anthony P. Russo, which provided details on the gambling character for Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 5, the fifth issue of the Adventure Journal, was available in February 1995. This edition featured several short stories, including Turning Point by Charlene Newcomb and Vengeance Strike by Peter Schweighofer. Among the articles included were A Buyer's Guide to Alternative Starships, which described several new starships, and Smugglers of the Outer Rim by Doug Shuler. This issue was edited by Peter Schweighofer.
The sixth edition of the Adventure Journal, Star Wars Adventure Journal 6, was released in May of 1995. This issue featured a collection of articles, one of which was "Relic," an adventure focused on the Dark Jedi Durrei, written by George R. Strayton and illustrated by Doug Shuler. Also included were short stories such as To Fight Another Day, by Kathy Tyers with illustrations 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 of 1995. This issue is known for its role-playing articles, including Cracken's Rebel Operatives by Timothy O'Brien, with illustrations by Scott Neely, and The Kaal Connection, co-authored by Peter Schweighofer and Timothy Zahn. Also included was an interview by Ilene Rosenberg titled The Adventures of Rogue Squadron. This Journal also marked the first appearance of Corran Horn.
The eighth issue of the Adventure Journal, Star Wars Adventure Journal 8, was released in November of 1995. Unlike previous issues with covers depicting scenes from the Star Wars universe, this issue featured Yoda dressed as Santa Claus, a popular figure during winter. Articles included The Gree Enclave by Timothy S. O'Brien, and Counterstrike by George R. Strayton. This issue also marked the first publication of the short stories Uhl Eharl Khoehng, by Patricia A. Jackson, later reprinted in Tales from the New Republic, and A Certain Point of View and Blaze of Glory, both later reprinted in Tales from the Empire.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 9, the ninth issue of the Adventure Journal, was released in February 1996. This issue collected several short stories, including Slaying Dragons, set just after the Battle of Hoth in 3 ABY, written by Angela Phillips. This story was later reprinted in Tales from the Empire. This Journal also featured articles for use with the Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game, such as Fizzi's Slightly Used Starships by John J. Richardson III, which detailed several starships from the Star Wars universe.
The tenth issue of the Adventure Journal, Star Wars Adventure Journal 10, was released in May of 1996. This issue saw the return of 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. Like previous Adventure Journals, this issue featured roleplaying articles, such as A Free-Trader's Guide to the Planets, which detailed a number of planets.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 11, the eleventh issue, was released in November of 1996. This issue is notable for including a comic strip along with the usual short stories and game articles, unlike previous issues. The comic strip, Bungo n' Rusti Get Carry-Out, was written by Jim Anderson. Articles included Alien Encounters, by Timothy S. O'Brien, which detailed various aliens, providing background information and game stats for use with the Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 12, the twelfth issue, was released in February 1997. This issue is notable for including the first two parts of the short story Side Trip, written by Timothy Zahn and Michael A. Stackpole. This story was later reprinted in Tales from the Empire. Side Trip revolved around a character claiming to be Jodo Kast, and the father-son team of Hal and Corran Horn. This issue is also noteworthy for being the first to include an article by Pablo Hidalgo, who would become a successful contributor to the Star Wars universe.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 13, the thirteenth issue, was released in May of 1997. This issue collected articles for the Star Wars roleplaying game, including Special Ops: Ship Jackers, co-authored by John Beyer and Kathy Burdette, and Scouts' Dispatch by Peter Woodworth. This issue also included the final two parts of the short story Side Trip, with part three by Timothy Zahn and part four by Michael A. Stackpole. This story was later collected in Tales from the Empire.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 14, the fourteenth issue, was released in August of 1997. This issue is notable for including the original short story Murder in Slushtime, by Barbara Hambly, the author of two Star Wars novels centered on Callista Ming. Murder in Slushtime continued the story of Callista, a former Jedi who could no longer touch the Force. Other pieces included Special Ops: Drop Points and From the Files of Corellia Antilles.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 15 was the fifteenth and final issue published. It was released in November of 1997. Unique to this issue was the work of Kevin J. Anderson, author of The Jedi Academy Trilogy and various Tales of the Jedi comics. Anderson's short story, Firestorm, centered on Tionne and Luke Skywalker. This Journal also collected 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 cancelled issue, due to financial difficulties at West End Games. It was to include short stories like Credit Denied by George R. Strayton, and Gathering Shadows by Kathy Burdette. Gathering Shadows was later printed in Tales from the New Republic.
Star Wars Adventure Journal 17 was the second cancelled issue, following financial difficulties at West End Games. It was meant to contain short stories, including Jade Solitaire, by Timothy Zahn, which told the story of how Mara Jade acquired her ship Jade's Fire. Also slated to be included was Love Is a Warm Blaster, which was eventually released on the internet.
- " 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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