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6 Cool Facts from the STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS VISUAL DICTIONARY

Warning: Minor spoilers for Star Wars: The Force Awakens follow.

Need to know every little detail about Star Wars: The Force Awakens? And by every little detail, I mean the names of characters hanging around in Maz Kanata’s palace, details about the fighting forces of the First Order, and the model of Rey’s blaster. The Visual Dictionary by Pablo Hidalgo, released on the same date as the film, is overflowing with just that kind of information. I read through the book a couple of times because why wouldn’t you, and these are some of the coolest highlights:

1. Shiny with purpose.

Captain Phasma’s armor is gloriously reflective, and the choice to be shiny is about more than looking impressive or donning protective gear. The armor is coated with chromium. The material was recovered from a Naboo yacht that used to be owned by Emperor Palpatine. So. Fancy. The origins make Phasma’s appearance even more intimidating.

2. Jack of all trades.

Is Han Solo good at everything? Yes. Well, maybe he’s not always so hot at delivering on promises. Anyway, after Return of the Jedi he was apparently a successful racing pilot for a time. I’d watch that spinoff.

3. Old inspiration.

We’ve heard Kylo Ren’s lightsaber was an ancient design, and the Visual Dictionary ties it back to the Great Scourge of Malachor. In canon, the planet has only been mentioned once in Star Wars: The Clone Wars. But in Legends (formerly known as the Expanded Universe), the planet Malachor served as a home of a Sith academy and was destroyed by a Jedi.

4. A figurative alarm clock.

The Force has been hitting the snooze button in the years since Luke Skywalker’s disappearance. According to the Visual Dictionary, “the cosmic Force has lain dormant, seemingly quieted to those able to sense its presence.” Developments with Rey and Finn “coincide” with the Force coming back to life and getting out of bed. No, I am not tired of making jokes about the Force sleeping on the job.

5. True believers.

Remember the elderly gentleman we met at the beginning of the film? Lor San Tekka handed off the map to Luke Skywalker to Poe Dameron. He’s sympathetic to the cause, obviously, and it turns out he remained loyal to the Jedi throughout the Empire’s rule. He was part of the Church of the Force. Followers were “loosely affiliated worshippers of the Jedi ideals.”

6. Dad knows best.

General Hux showed himself to be fanatical and dedicated to the First Order. He mentioned how his stormtroopers were programmed for maximum effectiveness. It turns out he got his training ideas from his father, who was an official in the Imperial Academy.

There are many more interesting tidbits in the Visual Dictionary and also amusing captions about various characters’ hair.

Have you picked up the Visual Dictionary? Share your favorite factoids in the comments.

HT: Star Wars: The Force Awakens Visual Dictionary
Images: Lucasfilm

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