EXCLUSIVE – ‘Shadows Of The Empire’ Author Clarifies Book Of Boba Fett Criticism

Fans were understandably upset when the House of Mouse took over Lucasfilm. One of the biggest issues was how Disney declared the then-existing Expanded Universe no longer canon.  Relegated to “Legends” status, some of the greatest storytelling in Star Wars no longer fit in the new, Disney timeline. As years passed and fan outcry grew, however, some of the best elements of the EU (Thrawn, for example) have trickled back into the mix. One of the best stories, and one that could feasibly still exist in the current canon, was Shadows of the Empire. A recent report tells us that SOTE author Steve Perry had some harsh words to say about The Book of Boba Fett. In this EXCLUSIVE, we can share with you his full thoughts.

First, a refresher: Shadows of the Empire is set following the events of The Empire Strikes Back. It tells a compelling tell of Luke, Leia, Lando, and Chewbacca’s efforts to retrieve Han Solo from Boba Fett. Its pages graced us with new characters like Prince Xixor of the Black Sun syndicate. There there was, of course, ne’re-do-well scoundrel, Dash Rendar. To this day it remains of the most beloved pieces of EU storytelling. Thus, it’s no stretch to say that Steve Perry knows a thing or two about telling a good Star Wars story. According to him, The Book of Boba Fett, well, doesn’t. Not entirely.

Shadows of The Empire author on The Book of Boba Fett

News of Perry’s comments first came to us from the website boundingintocomics.com.  Perry criticizes the overuse of exposition in the series, as well as some questionable writing decisions. His comments, however, came a bit out of context. Likewise, he tells us, they were taken from his personal, friends-only Facebook page without his consent. “I dunno how the folks at the comics site got it, but it wasn’t with my approval.” In doing so, the writer of the referenced article “managed to kill the joke… by failing to post the punch line, too.”

Graciously, the Shadows of the Empire author provided us the full text of his Book of Boba Fett comments, which you can see below:

He continued with the following:

The Book of Boba Fett isn’t perfect by any means, but Perry nails it in describing Bryce Dallas Howard’s contribution to the series as the “best yet, hands down.”

Steve Perry, Star Wars fan

Perhaps lost in the shock value of the original article is the fact that Steve Perry is not only a highly regarded Star Wars writer, but also a Star Wars fan. He, like the rest of us, is entitled to his opinions regarding the franchise he loves so much. I am a [Star Wars] fan from the first, saw ANH in the theater, first-run,” Perry tells us. “I like the stuff, a lot, but there have been a few missteps, and I call ‘em like I see ‘em.”

And let’s be honest; he’s not wrong. First, Black Krrsantan is indeed bad-ass. More importantly, Fett’s bacta-induced trips down memory lane were a bit plodding. For a series that promised us exciting action and the Boba Fett we all wanted to see, The Book of Boba Fett has fallen short. It still has two more chapters to go, though. Here’s hoping they deliver even half as well as Chapter 5.

Thanks to Steve Perry, author of Shadows of the Empire, for his candid thoughts and willingness to speak with us.