Hey nice shirt. Even nicer video. I have to say Dark Horse. Yeah, the quality of the content could sometimes vary but Dark Horse published TotJ, Dark Empire, KOTOR, Republic, Legacy, etc. Marvel is great, too, but I think you do a good job of highlighting why Dark Horse is my preferred publisher.
Dark Horse for sure Tales of the Jedi, Republic, Legacy and Dark Times absolutely obliterate anything Marvel put out. Dark Horse put more effort into the lore and characters they understood the franchise they were working with. What I will say that I find impressive about the comics under Marvel is that they came up with so much with only going off of 3 movies paving the way for what was later to come in the EU like with Lumiyas character so I still hold a lot of respect to Marvel.
I totally agree with this entire comment! Everything in your analysis about Dark Horse is totally how I feel, and I really resonate with the respect for Marvel’s paving a way forward too! Good point with Lumiya!
This is tough. I love the original Marvel comics, but I gotta give it to DH. DH sort of had an unfair advantage because of the content available (as you said). Another great video!
As soon as you mentioned that there are great arcs, one name appeared in my head: The Battle of Jabiin. And you talked about it seconds later. Its so good. In the future, I may end up forgetting about the rest of Republic. I may end up forgetting lots of Star Wars comics. But I won't forget about the Battle of Jabiin.
I'm glad I found this video man.. I recently started picking up dark horse star wars comics. The few I have read have been so good compared to modern marvel stuff.
So so good indeed! Dark Horse Star Wars are my favorite comics of all time honestly. Just something so special about them! Glad you enjoyed the video man, thanks for watching! And happy reading!
Haha! Maybe at some point! I think next I’ll cover the RPG’s and then maybe young readers novels, but perhaps I’ll add Insider VS Gamer VS Galaxy to the docket haha!
Happy may the 4th! DH: Republic, Legacy, Dark Times, KOTOR, Jedi v. Sith, Infinities Marvel: One crappy comic of Poe Dameron farting at a wedding. I would ask sarcastically if this was a competition but that would be an insult…..TO THE OBVIOUS VICTOR
@@StarWarsExpandedUniverse In large part it's because I think Archie Goodwin deeply understood the assignment. He grew up in a small town like George's and had similar interests. But one main difference was that Goodwin was steeped in the genre--both as a reader of space opera and weird fiction and, significantly, as a writer of it. So, his Star Wars feels the most like Star Wars than those who came in the '90s who didn't grow up on the genre pulps and paperbacks. Veitch brought in his influences--the New Wave (of Science-Fiction)--and those sensibilities are why the early Dark Horse material feels like a proper next generation approach--and it's a shame for Marvel that they were so short-sighted as to let SW go to another company--as Dark Empire and TOTJ would've gone under the Epic banner for Marvel, with Goodwin as head editor, which would have seen greater cohesion to the '70s Marvel SW run and would very likely have seen Jo Duffy return to finish her arc (since she and Archie got along so well). After Veitch was let go, and Bob Cooper and Ryder Windham stepped aside, I think Dark Horse in the '00s began to suffer from a loss of focus and some quality control issues, but that's a subject for another time.
@@thesithempire1348 This is truly wonderful analysis. Thanks so much for your thoughts! This is why I need to get you on Talking SW EU Joe! You have so many valuable insights for the EU! And wonderful analysis! I actually think personally 2000’s Dark Horse under John Ostrander was one of the best times for Star Wars comics publishing, I think he just consistently knocked it out of the park. But there were some duds here and there during this time for sure. Thanks for your awesome analysis! I love Archie Goodwin!
@@thesithempire1348I love hearing different perspectives that make persuasive arguments. Had DE and TotJ been produced under the Marvel banner, I wouldn't be so quick to say "Dark Horse". I love Tom Veitch's work.
@@StarWarsExpandedUniverse Thanks! I liked John's work, not as much as you and others do, but he was solid and consistent at least (and he had Jan, which elevated his work, as any great illustrator will). Talking SW with EU Joe has a ring to it. Maybe one day. ;)
Your though mirror mine. I'm reading through the Marvel 77 comics now and really loving them but... The Dark horse comics are far more epic and you can't really debate the quantity.
I just wish more characters from the original marvel star wars comics showed up in the bantam, del rey books and dark horse comics. I know planets like manalote origined from there and characters like lumya . But not enough
@@Power3DHD I concur with you! Sadly all a lot of them got was further insight in online resource articles and short stories for concepts from the original run!
The initial Marvel Star Wars comics were not fantastic. They had their moments but, with the exception of Conan and GI Joe, Marvel wasn't doing its best work on licensed books. Dark Horse Star Wars comics DEFINED the EU for me (due respect to the excellent novels and video games). Not only did Dark Horse define the Star Wars EU, they set the bar for licensed comics that could stand toe-to-toe with the original source material for quality and influence. Star Wars comics have never been that good before or since. As long as Lucasfilm is owned by Disney, they never will be again.
I definitely agree that Dark Horse has the better run, with the fantastic Republic, Kotor, Legacy, etc. series. However, to be fair, Dark Horse had some lousy comics, too, and I thought the last couple years of Dark Times, Legacy vol 2, Agent of the Empire, and Clone Wars comics suffered a significant drop in quality. I can recall finding those last couple years before the cancelation of the EU to be different, like something had been lost after the golden age of the 2000s. And also to be fair, Marvel had more than just what you mentioned. They also had the RotJ series, and more significantly, Pizzazz and Marvel UK, the latter two of which laid so much foundation for Supernatural Encounters. Still, Dark Horse is better, but what I just mentioned does narrow the gap between publishers a little bit.
Awesome analysis as always! Supernatural Encounters definitely further elevates those original Marvel comics, and there were some definite stinkers in the dark horse wave too. Thanks for watching!
I would say it depends. Its either unfair, or no contest. When it comes to the original SW Marvels run, it would be unfair to compare it to Dark Horse. Marvels early EU was created along with the OT. Tons of limitations that brought the best in some of the best comic legends to its pages. Dark Horse had the freedom of coming out long after the OT, all material characters and lore readily available to their awesome creators. That put in on another level. But if you say Dark Horse vs current Marvel KKfilms/Disney, then you got a true vs. Though not by much, Dark Horse all the way. So the correct way to name this video would be "Dark Horse vs KKfilms/Marvel/Disney so called "Star Wars" Which Star Wars Comic Publisher Was Better?" Current Marvel has nothing on Dark Horse, they will not survive on plagiarism.
I have to say, for me, Marvel Comics wins hands down. It had a delightful Saturday morning serial feel about it. Those story arcs written by Archie Goodwin and David Michelinie were, I feel, comic book writing at its best. While I did like the Dark Empire series, the reprints of the newspaper comic strips by Archie Goodwin, and the Shadows of the Empire series - Dark Horse, it seemed, strayed a little too far at times from the characters and situations created by George Lucas for me to really get behind their comic book run.
That’s wonderful! So glad you have such a fondness for those original Marvel comics! I’d definitely recommend checking out some solid Dark Horse comic runs like with Republic. But I’m so glad to see some Marvel love in these comments! I’m a huge Archie Goodwin fan too!
@@StarWarsExpandedUniverse I do have a number of Dark Horse Comics runs - the Thrawn trilogy adaptations, Crimson Empire 1 & 2, and the X-Wing series among them - and also the three Star Wars Infinites in trade paperback format. (rather interesting "What If-" takes on the original trilogy, I thought)
Dark Horse was top quality. I miss those days KOTOR, Dark Times and Legacy came out back to back. Golden era of SW EU.
Oh man, that was a great era right there with all those comics overlapping in publication. Definitely a golden era!
Hey nice shirt. Even nicer video.
I have to say Dark Horse. Yeah, the quality of the content could sometimes vary but Dark Horse published TotJ, Dark Empire, KOTOR, Republic, Legacy, etc. Marvel is great, too, but I think you do a good job of highlighting why Dark Horse is my preferred publisher.
Thanks for watching Marcel! Glad you liked the video and the reasoning and the shirt! It’s just so impressive how stacked Dark Horse’s lineup is!
Weren't the classic star wars strips also by Marvel?
They were written by writers of Marvel and published by LA Times as comic strips. They were reprinted in color by Dark Horse.
Dark Horse for sure Tales of the Jedi, Republic, Legacy and Dark Times absolutely obliterate anything Marvel put out. Dark Horse put more effort into the lore and characters they understood the franchise they were working with. What I will say that I find impressive about the comics under Marvel is that they came up with so much with only going off of 3 movies paving the way for what was later to come in the EU like with Lumiyas character so I still hold a lot of respect to Marvel.
I totally agree with this entire comment! Everything in your analysis about Dark Horse is totally how I feel, and I really resonate with the respect for Marvel’s paving a way forward too! Good point with Lumiya!
This is tough. I love the original Marvel comics, but I gotta give it to DH. DH sort of had an unfair advantage because of the content available (as you said).
Another great video!
Thanks for watching Michael! Glad you enjoyed! And yeah Dark Horse just has such a large arsenal at their disposal!
As soon as you mentioned that there are great arcs, one name appeared in my head: The Battle of Jabiin. And you talked about it seconds later. Its so good. In the future, I may end up forgetting about the rest of Republic. I may end up forgetting lots of Star Wars comics. But I won't forget about the Battle of Jabiin.
Oh man this comment gave me chills. I completely resonate with this sentiment. The Battle of Jabiim is truly such a impactful and unforgettable arch.
I'm glad I found this video man.. I recently started picking up dark horse star wars comics. The few I have read have been so good compared to modern marvel stuff.
So so good indeed! Dark Horse Star Wars are my favorite comics of all time honestly. Just something so special about them! Glad you enjoyed the video man, thanks for watching! And happy reading!
Love the Marvel run but YES.. the Star Wars Dark Horse era comics are some of the best comics/stories I’ve ever read.. Awesome vid my bro..
Thanks so much my brother! Glad you enjoyed the video! Definitely agreed!
Next Vid You should do, Which Magazines Did Short Stories Better. 😅
Haha! Maybe at some point! I think next I’ll cover the RPG’s and then maybe young readers novels, but perhaps I’ll add Insider VS Gamer VS Galaxy to the docket haha!
@@StarWarsExpandedUniverse RPG books were Magazines, so you could include them with Insider, Galaxy, and Gamer
@@NazoServantArk The sourcebooks weren't magazines, but you're right there was some magazine format content there.
Happy may the 4th!
DH: Republic, Legacy, Dark Times, KOTOR, Jedi v. Sith, Infinities
Marvel: One crappy comic of Poe Dameron farting at a wedding.
I would ask sarcastically if this was a competition but that would be an insult…..TO THE OBVIOUS VICTOR
Happy May the fourth! So many great Dark Horse EU comics!
Make Mine Marvel!
Love it Joe! I knew you’d go for Marvel!
@@StarWarsExpandedUniverse In large part it's because I think Archie Goodwin deeply understood the assignment. He grew up in a small town like George's and had similar interests. But one main difference was that Goodwin was steeped in the genre--both as a reader of space opera and weird fiction and, significantly, as a writer of it. So, his Star Wars feels the most like Star Wars than those who came in the '90s who didn't grow up on the genre pulps and paperbacks. Veitch brought in his influences--the New Wave (of Science-Fiction)--and those sensibilities are why the early Dark Horse material feels like a proper next generation approach--and it's a shame for Marvel that they were so short-sighted as to let SW go to another company--as Dark Empire and TOTJ would've gone under the Epic banner for Marvel, with Goodwin as head editor, which would have seen greater cohesion to the '70s Marvel SW run and would very likely have seen Jo Duffy return to finish her arc (since she and Archie got along so well). After Veitch was let go, and Bob Cooper and Ryder Windham stepped aside, I think Dark Horse in the '00s began to suffer from a loss of focus and some quality control issues, but that's a subject for another time.
@@thesithempire1348 This is truly wonderful analysis. Thanks so much for your thoughts! This is why I need to get you on Talking SW EU Joe! You have so many valuable insights for the EU! And wonderful analysis! I actually think personally 2000’s Dark Horse under John Ostrander was one of the best times for Star Wars comics publishing, I think he just consistently knocked it out of the park. But there were some duds here and there during this time for sure. Thanks for your awesome analysis! I love Archie Goodwin!
@@thesithempire1348I love hearing different perspectives that make persuasive arguments.
Had DE and TotJ been produced under the Marvel banner, I wouldn't be so quick to say "Dark Horse". I love Tom Veitch's work.
@@StarWarsExpandedUniverse Thanks! I liked John's work, not as much as you and others do, but he was solid and consistent at least (and he had Jan, which elevated his work, as any great illustrator will). Talking SW with EU Joe has a ring to it. Maybe one day. ;)
Your though mirror mine. I'm reading through the Marvel 77 comics now and really loving them but... The Dark horse comics are far more epic and you can't really debate the quantity.
Yeah man for sure! Thanks for watching!
dark horse cause usually when someone thinks of the comics in the star wars eu its almost always from dark horse stuff
@@poopooman-q7r Agreed
I just wish more characters from the original marvel star wars comics showed up in the bantam, del rey books and dark horse comics. I know planets like manalote origined from there and characters like lumya . But not enough
@@Power3DHD I concur with you! Sadly all a lot of them got was further insight in online resource articles and short stories for concepts from the original run!
I like the Dark Horse way better than the movies tbh
Honestly same.
The initial Marvel Star Wars comics were not fantastic. They had their moments but, with the exception of Conan and GI Joe, Marvel wasn't doing its best work on licensed books. Dark Horse Star Wars comics DEFINED the EU for me (due respect to the excellent novels and video games). Not only did Dark Horse define the Star Wars EU, they set the bar for licensed comics that could stand toe-to-toe with the original source material for quality and influence. Star Wars comics have never been that good before or since. As long as Lucasfilm is owned by Disney, they never will be again.
Dark Horse totally defined the Star Wars EU for me as well! Awesome comment!
Too much pressure to choose.
Lolllll, no need for any pressure haha. There's no right answer!
dark horse all the way marvel never have same charm or quality for Star Wars than dark horse
Dark Horse was definitely peak quality for Star Wars comics.
I definitely agree that Dark Horse has the better run, with the fantastic Republic, Kotor, Legacy, etc. series. However, to be fair, Dark Horse had some lousy comics, too, and I thought the last couple years of Dark Times, Legacy vol 2, Agent of the Empire, and Clone Wars comics suffered a significant drop in quality. I can recall finding those last couple years before the cancelation of the EU to be different, like something had been lost after the golden age of the 2000s. And also to be fair, Marvel had more than just what you mentioned. They also had the RotJ series, and more significantly, Pizzazz and Marvel UK, the latter two of which laid so much foundation for Supernatural Encounters. Still, Dark Horse is better, but what I just mentioned does narrow the gap between publishers a little bit.
Awesome analysis as always! Supernatural Encounters definitely further elevates those original Marvel comics, and there were some definite stinkers in the dark horse wave too. Thanks for watching!
I would say it depends. Its either unfair, or no contest. When it comes to the original SW Marvels run, it would be unfair to compare it to Dark Horse. Marvels early EU was created along with the OT. Tons of limitations that brought the best in some of the best comic legends to its pages. Dark Horse had the freedom of coming out long after the OT, all material characters and lore readily available to their awesome creators. That put in on another level. But if you say Dark Horse vs current Marvel KKfilms/Disney, then you got a true vs. Though not by much, Dark Horse all the way. So the correct way to name this video would be "Dark Horse vs KKfilms/Marvel/Disney so called "Star Wars" Which Star Wars Comic Publisher Was Better?" Current Marvel has nothing on Dark Horse, they will not survive on plagiarism.
Great analysis my friend. thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I have to say, for me, Marvel Comics wins hands down. It had a delightful Saturday morning serial feel about it. Those story arcs written by Archie Goodwin and David Michelinie were, I feel, comic book writing at its best. While I did like the Dark Empire series, the reprints of the newspaper comic strips by Archie Goodwin, and the Shadows of the Empire series - Dark Horse, it seemed, strayed a little too far at times from the characters and situations created by George Lucas for me to really get behind their comic book run.
That’s wonderful! So glad you have such a fondness for those original Marvel comics! I’d definitely recommend checking out some solid Dark Horse comic runs like with Republic. But I’m so glad to see some Marvel love in these comments! I’m a huge Archie Goodwin fan too!
@@StarWarsExpandedUniverse I do have a number of Dark Horse Comics runs - the Thrawn trilogy adaptations, Crimson Empire 1 & 2, and the X-Wing series among them - and also the three Star Wars Infinites in trade paperback format. (rather interesting "What If-" takes on the original trilogy, I thought)
What? No love for Blackthorne? :-P
Haha Star Wars 3-D is actually pretty fun! There's also Titan Publishing which published those short Clone Wars comics!
Next video: Who did the best 3D comics. Might have to make it a "YT shorts" actually.
@@jeffmartinhampson1052 Lollll