It’s hard to imagine a time Star Wars Insider does not exist. This is how big the magazine lies in the fandom awareness. Before and even after the advent of the internet it was the place to break Star Wars news, read interviews with creators and just immerse yourself in the galaxy far, far away, from movies to books to games. I remember getting my first look at Episode I’s beautiful Naboo starfish on its pages – a magical thing to see and study and hold in my hands. That memory always reminds me of the power of magazines, printing and Insider. I will always be grateful for that.
Star Wars Insider # 200 arrives today, a milestone issue and a testament to the power the magazine has possessed for decades. In celebration of the occasion, StarWars.com caught up Insider editor Chris Cooper and barn Insider‘s archives for a look back at some covers you might remember. Here are another 200 issues!
StarWars.com: What are your feelings about the legacy of Star Wars Insider as it issues 200?
Chris Cooper: There’s something unique about it Insider, and how it continued to attract fans – and I too – with the Star Wars galaxy for so many years. The long life means that it was a big part of many people Star Wars experience for just as long as the saga existed. Insider is really more than a magazine. It’s a part of our lives.
StarWars.com: Why is this milestone meaningful to you?
Chris Cooper: It’s a rare privilege to become professionally involved in something you’ve loved since childhood, so the fact that I have no issue of Star Wars Insider meant a lot to me. Being in the chair for the 200th edition is actually a bit surreal. I feel I could pay with this issue Star Wars back for all the fun I have given over the years, and it was really a pleasure to see how many subscribers have enjoyed it already.
StarWars.com: If You Look At All These Cover Pages [see below], what comes to mind?
Chris Cooper: It’s amazing how much land Insider covered, and still provides cover, as Star Wars has grown and diversified. It shows how lively and versatile the Star Wars starting point, and how many different stories have spun from George Lucas’ original film. This is a good job because it gives us more to rewrite!
Of all the covers, issue 23 really stands out as I can remember the thrill of discovering it in the original Forbidden Planet store in London. It was not widely available here, so you had to be on your toes to get your hands on every new issue. Little did I know that I would be writing the front page rules for later issues.
Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine # 1 (Fall 1987)
The first edition of the Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine, published in the fall of 1987, features R2-D2 and C-3PO which decorated a cake with 10 candles, marking the 10th anniversary of Star Wars. In his welcome letter, George Lucas writes: “Ten years ago, then Star Wars premiere, I never dreamed I would write a letter to members of a Lucasfilm fan club. What a decade it was not. ”
Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine # 17 (Autumn 1991)
George Lucas spoke for an exclusive interview in this issue about the future of Star Wars, and a possible timeline for the release of the first prequel trilogy.
Star Wars Insider # 23 (Fall 1994)
The first issue mentioned Star Wars Insider hit a newsstand in the fall of 1994 with Sir Alec Guinness on the cover. This ‘premier’ edition contains rare photos of the Star Wars Holiday Special, interviews with Carrie Fisher and Kenny Baker, and a special feature on the cult of Wedge.
Star Wars Insider # 32 (Winter 1997)
The year 1997 was the 20th anniversary of Star Wars and see the theatrical release of the Star Wars Trilogy Special Edition. This issue celebrated these two very special occasions with an exclusive feature on making the special issues and a brand new logo for the magazine.
Star Wars Insider # 44 (June / July 1999)
The 16-year-old is waiting for a new Star Wars movie was over. Insider the unexpected release of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace in a big way chats with Queen Amidala actor Natalie Portman – then just 17 and in her high school year.
Star Wars Insider # 60 (June 2002)
Fast forward to June 2002 and the arrival of Episode II. Insider the release of Star Wars: Attack of the Clones in a memorable way, chat with Ewan McGregor, Natalie Portman, Hayden Christensen and George Lucas, plus a special report on what you may have missed in the second prediction.
Star Wars Insider # 131 (January 2012)
As The Phantom Menace went 3D for a return to theaters, InsiderThe 3D movie edition has re-launched readers, with an exclusive look at the storyboards of the film and ten reasons why Jar Jar Binks ‘loves’.
Star Wars Insider # 135 (July 2012)
This issue celebrates 30 years of Star Wars video games, from The Empire Strikes Back in 1982 to Kinect Star Warsvia arcades, TIE road simulators, Unleash the Force, en Knights of the Old Republic.
Star Wars Insider # 138 (December 2012)
Just when this issue was going to print, it was announced that Disney had purchased Lucasfilm and that it was a brand new thing Star Wars the film trilogy would be published, starting in 2015. It will move fast, Insider secured an interview with George Lucas and Kathleen Kennedy in which they reveal what’s next in the saga to come.
Star Wars Insider # 151 (July 2014)
Jeffrey Brown’s work, especially his Darth Vader and family series, captivated fans young and old; for this issue, Insider invited the author / artist to take over the cover of the magazine. The result was this unique attack on the original Hildebrandt poster of Star Wars: a new hope.
Star Wars Insider # 162 (December 2015)
After years of waiting, the sequel trilogy has arrived. Star Wars: The Force Awakens finally hit theaters around the world and Insider presented interviews with the cast and the team in this festive issue.
Star Wars Insider # 170 (December 2016)
As Rogue One: A Star Wars Story ended up in theaters and told the story of how Princess Leia came to secure the plans for the Death Star, InsiderThe corresponding edition offers two covers that allow readers to choose a side – the Rebel Alliance of the Empire.
Star Wars Insider # 171 (February 2017)
With the heartbreaking passing of Carrie Fisher, Insider dedicated edition 171 to the Star Wars icon that has meant so much to generations of fans.
Star Wars Insider # 178 (January 2018)
This issue has the release of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, as director Rian Johnson discussed making the film.
Star Wars Insider # 181 (May 2018)
Insider on board the Millennium Falcon when it was still Lando’s pride and joy, and the second entered Star Wars detached film, Solo: A Star Wars story.
Star Wars Insider # 194 (December 2019)
After a year of each episode of the Skywalker saga, Insider has the release of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker with a deep dive into the climax of the last episode. But what would come next?
Star Wars Insider 195 (February 2020)
Star Wars has entered a new phase with the live-action Disney + series The Mandalorian, which would become a very award-winning hit. Applicable, Insider placed the child in front and in the middle.
Star Wars Insider # 200 (February 2021)
Insider‘s 200th edition with an introduction by C-3PO actor Anthony Daniels and features that span the entire saga, including an interview with Star Wars: The High Republic author Charles Soule, and an epic list of 200 reasons we love Star Wars.
Sign up now for a special commemorative event Star Wars Insider and receive 8 issues for just $ 47.99 – 40% off the newspaper price.
Dan Brooks is Lucasfilm’s senior content strategist from online, the editor of StarWars.com, and a writer. He loves Star Wars, ELO, and the New York Rangers, Jets and Yankees. Follow him on Twitter @dan_brooks where he contradicts all these things.
Website tags: #StarWarsBlog