May the Fourth Be With You: Happy Star Wars Day!

A great and joyous Happy Star Wars Day to everyone! As you can see, the blog has taken on the look from that galaxy far far away! Today is a day of great celebration among the millions of Star Wars fans around the world. I cannot tell you what a pleasure it is to be in a community of people who can come together and bond so strongly and instantly over one simple franchise. As I said in my very first post, Star Wars has given me so much. It has allowed me to imagine things beyond comprehension, taught me to strive for what's right no matter the cost, to trust in myself and my feelings, and has introduced me to people I consider like family. Today we mark all the movies, books, toys, cartoons, LEGOs, re-enacted lightsaber battles, fan stories, costuming, and more that have made the past 36 years so remarkable. It's funny how something so big, so grand, and so world-encompassing started in the mind of a young student who just wanted to tell stories. And that, my friends, how it should be with each of us.

"It's like a family reunion with people you've never met before"

I have to mention that today is also special for a few other  reasons. This, appropriately, marks my 50th post on the Missing Linc! Thank you everyone who's come along for the ride! And we can count May the 4th, 1971 as the beginning of a love story greater than any seen in Star Wars (sorry Jaina and Jag). Today is the day (all too well known in my family) that my parents began dating. And boy, am I glad it worked out. Also, today is the day  we brought home my Chewie. Yes, six years ago today, on May the 4th, the dog born on St. Joseph's Day, that we named after the most loyal of companions came home. 

And speaking of everyone's favorite Wookiee...it looks like smuggling just isn't that lucrative, as Chewbacca has taken a job with MTV Geek:

Get More: MTV Shows

Now, let's get into all the ways you can celebrate Star Wars Day! You can visit the newly redesigned TheForce.Net or StarWars.com for tons of activities, giveaways, galleries, and more! You can even win a life-size Darth Malgus statue from GameStop!

Of course, you can ignore all of this and pay close attention to the truth about May the 4th, the "dangerous and immoral" holiday, as shown in this ad from Imperial Public Relations Bureau.



I. Watch the Panic Over Muunilinst Trailer

As a special Star Wars Day treat, check out the latest trailer by the best artist in the biz, Joe Hogan. Continuing the adventures of Captain Fordo, the sequel to the incredible "The Siren of Dathomir"  is "Panic Over Muunilinst" and it promises to be epic!


Sounds like my kinda show sir, when do I see?

II. Tons To Read, and for Cheap!

My friends at the Star Wars Insider are offering up some great deals if you subscribe today. Not only will you get 50% off the subscription fee, but you'll also receive:

• Get 8 issues for just $31.99!
• Exclusive subscriber cover with each issue - not available in stores!

Publisher Del Rey is selling five Star Wars novels for the Amazon Nook for only $1.99! They are: Heir to the Empire, Darth Bane: Path of Destruction, Darth Plagueis, Winner Lose All, and Tatooine Ghost.

And, in the luckiest of coincidences, it also happens to be Free Comic Book Day! Head on over to your local comic book store and pick up part one of the exciting new Darth Vader series: The Ninth Assassin

III. Send Your Friends Some Star Wars Day E-Cards!

Head on over to StarWars.com to download and send some pretty cool E-Cards and let your friends know that you're thinking of them on May the 4th.

IV. Dress In Style

While not everyone can don a cool set of armor, people can wear the very latest in Star Wars clothes designed by fans! The folks over at WeLoveFine have announced the winners of their Dark Side Design contest. Hit the link and you can purchase all of these fantastic fan-made pieces. Here are a few of my favorites:

And are you searching for something for that special Princess? Head on over to Her Universe for some kickass clothes for all the Star Wars fangirls out there. Her Universe was created by Ashley Eckstein, who played Ahsoka Tano on The Clone Wars

V. Catch Up On Some Interviews

Yesterday, on the eve of May the Fourth, Lucasfilm's Pablo Hidalgo, author of the incredible Essential Reader's Companion, hosted a live Q&A on Facebook. Hit the link for the full transcript, but check out what he had to say on the impact that the Sequel Trilogy will have on the current EU:

"I think the EU will always continue to be part of the Star Wars experience, in that there are stories that are best suited for books, comics, games. etc.. The relationship between cinematic content and expanded universe content will continue to be what it is today and has been in the past. What happens on screen is one thing. What happens in the books is another. How they connect and interact is something I'm really eager to see."

And J.J. Abrams, who apparently has some kind of loose association with Star Wars, talks to the BBC about Episode VII, Star Trek: Into Darkness, and more. Check out the full interview here, but here's a snippet:

"A self-confessed Star Wars fan, Abrams said he would have to try to mitigate his "geeky fan-boy" feelings about his forthcoming project. 

"It's just about about approaching it from as authentic a place as possible, and not trying to apply what you believe or think, as much as trying to filter everything and get at it from the core of the characters."

VI. Prepare for Celebration Europe II

Although I sadly won't be attending this year, the CEII's official site has been releasing a steady flow of information about this summer's Celebration Europe II in Essen, Germany (July 26-28). We know now that there will be some awesome merchandise art, including this incredible set of Star Wars coat of arms:

Convention-goers will also apparently see a reunion of sorts, with the denizens of Jabba's Palace coming together in a decidedly less dangerous environment. I sincerely hope everyone has a ton of fun and brings the Star Wars spirit to Germany.

VII. Celebrate With Friends

Whether it's a lightsaber duel, a game of Star Wars Trivial Pursuit, or just sitting down and watching a Star Wars marathon, take the time today to be with your fellow Rebels, Imps, Mandos, Jedi, and Sith. Because the strength of this community comes from the deep bond we all share. The passion and love we have for this Saga transcends every type of border, to bring us together as fans, as friends, and as family.

So from the frozen plains of Hoth, to the jungles of Yavin 4, to the oceans of Kamino, to the sprawling spires of Coruscant; from the Land Down Under to the Land of the Rising Sun to the Land of the Free, let's call out with one, united voice, ringing out throughout the galaxy:

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU!

-Joe