100+ Star Wars Books (or comics) you have to read

Comics are coming in Graphic Novel form, so most of these are presented that way. This list is by no means exhaustive, but these are 100+ books (in chronological order) that I would recommend.

1) Tales of the Jedi: The Golden Age of the Sith (Dark Horse) *Ancient Star Wars history
2) Tales of the Jedi: Fall of the Sith Empire (Dark Horse) *Ancient Star Wars history
3) Tales of the Jedi: Knights of the Old Republic (Dark Horse) *
4) Tales of the Jedi: The Freedon Nadd Uprising (Dark Horse) *
5) Tales of the Jedi: Dark Lords of the Sith (Dark Horse) *
6) Tales of the Jedi: The Sith War (Dark Horse) *
7) Tales of the Jedi: Redemption (Dark Horse) *
7.5) *Red Harvest -- ADDED 7/15
8) Darth Bane: Path of Destruction & Darth Bane: Rule of Two *
9) Legacy of the Jedi/Secrets of the Jedi (combined 2 books into 1) **stories of the line from Yoda-Count Dooku-Qui Gon Jinn-Obi Wan Kenobi-Anakin Skywalker
10) The Rise and Fall of Darth Vader
11) The Life and Legend of Obi-Wan Kenobi
12) Jango Fett: Open Seasons (Dark Horse)
12.5) *Darth Plagueis -- ADDED 7/15
13) Cloak of Deception
14) Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
15) The Phantom Menace Novelization
16) Rogue Planet
17) Outbound Flight
18) The Approaching Storm
19) The Attack of the Clones Novelization
20) The Cestus Deception
21) Jedi Trial
22) The Clone Wars Volumes 1-9 TPB: (Dark Horse) (Best comic series in my opnion)
22.5) *Star Wars: Dark Disciple -- ADDED 7/15
23) Yoda: Dark Rendezvous
24) Labyrinth of Evil (1st book of the "Dark Lord" trilogy) (GREAT BOOK)
25) Revenge of the Sith Novelization (2nd book of the "Dark Lord" trilogy)
26) Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader (3rd book of "Dark Lord" trilogy)
26.4) *Lords of the Sith -- ADDED 7/15
26.5) *Tarkin -- ADDED 7/15
27) Han Solo Trilogy (Paradise Snare, Hutt Gambit, Rebel Dawn) *BEST of the BEST
27.5) *Death Troopers -- ADDED 7/15
28) A New Hope Novelization
29) Tales from the Mos Eisley Cantina
30) Star Wars (Marvel Comics Ongoing Series)
30.5) *Star Wars: Scoundrels -- ADDED 7/15  (Very Good Read)
31) Death Star
32) The Bounty Hunter Wars Trilogy (The Mandalorian Armor, Slave Ship, Hard Merchandise)
33) Allegiance
34) Splinter of the Mind's Eye
35) The Empire Strikes Back Novelization
36) Tales of the Bounty Hunters
37) Shadows of the Empire (book) & Shadows of the Empire (Dark Horse TPB)
38) Return of the Jedi Novelization
39) Tales from Jabba's Palace
40) Tales from the Empire
41) Tales from the New Republic
42) The Truce at Bakura
43) Luke Skywalker and the Shadows of Mindor
44) X-Wing Rogue Squadron (Dark Horse Comics)
45) Dark Forces (Soldier for the Empire, Rebel Agent, Jedi Knight TPB Dark Horse)
46) X-Wing: Rogue Squadron
47) X-Wing: Wedge's Gamble
48) X-Wing: The Krytos Trap
49) X-Wing: The Bacta War
50) X-Wing: Wraith Squadron
51) X-Wing: Iron Fist
52) X-Wing: Solo Command
53) The Courtship of Princess Leia
54) Tatooine Ghost
55) Thrawn Trilogy (Heir to the Empire, Dark Force Rising, The Last Command) * BEST of the BEST
56) X-Wing: Isard's Revenge
57) Dark Empire Comic (Dark Horse) & Dark Empire II Comic (Dark Horse)
58) Crimson Empire (Dark Horse) & Crimson Empire II (Dark Horse)
59) I, Jedi (GREAT BOOK)
60) The Jedi Academy Trilogy (Jedi Search, Dark Apprentice, Champions of the Force) (GOOD)
61) X-Wing: Starfighters of Adumar
62) The Black Fleet Crisis Trilogy (Before the Storm, Shield of Lies, Tyrant's Test)
63) The New Rebellion
64) The Corellian Trilogy (Ambush at Corellia, Assault at Selonia, Showdown at Centerpoint)
65) The Hand of Thrawn Duology (Specter of the Past, Vision of the Future)
66) Union (Dark Horse)
67) Junior Jedi Knights Series (Young Readers, but very good. Not listing separately)
68) Young Jedi Knights Series (Young Readers, but very good. Not listing separately)
69) The New Jedi Order: Vector Prime
70) The New Jedi Order: Dark Tide (I: Onslaught, II: Ruin)
71) The New Jedi Order: Agents of Chaos (I: Hero's Trial, II: Jedi Eclipse)
72) The New Jedi Order: Balance Point
73) The New Jedi Order: Recovery
74) The New Jedi Order: Edge of Victory (I: Conquest, II: Rebirth)
75) The New Jedi Order: Star by Star * BEST of the BEST
76) The New Jedi Order: Dark Journey
77) The New Jedi Order: Enemy Lines (I: Rebel Dream, II: Rebel Stand)
78) The New Jedi Order: Traitor
79) The New Jedi Order: Destiny's Way w/(ebook) Ylesia
80) The New Jedi Order: Force Heretic (I: Remnant, II: Refugee)
81) The New Jedi Order: The Final Prophecy
82) The New Jedi Order: The Unifying Force
83) The Dark Nest Trilogy (The Joiner King, The Unseen Queen, The Swarm War)
84) Legacy of the Force: I Betrayal
85) Legacy of the Force: II Bloodlines
86) Legacy of the Force: III Tempest
87) Legacy of the Force: IV Exile
88) Legacy of the Force: V Sacrifice
89) Legacy of the Force: VI Inferno
90) Legacy of the Force: VII Fury
91) Legacy of the Force: VIII Revelation
92) Legacy of the Force: IX Invincible
93) Crosscurrent
94) Millenium Falcon
95) Fate of the Jedi: I Outcast
96) Fate of the Jedi: II Omen
97) Fate of the Jedi: III Abyss
98) Fate of the Jedi: IV Backlash
99) Fate of the Jedi: V Allies
100) Fate of the Jedi: VI Vortex
101) Fate of the Jedi: VII Conviction
102) Fate of the Jedi: VIII Ascension
103) Fate of the Jedi: IX Apocalypse
104) Legacy (Dark Horse Comics)

100 Most Influential Characters

Attempting to best the IGN list of Top Characters. I'll try to give some reasoning behind these.

1) Darth Vader - There is no more central character to the saga onscreen or off.

2) Yoda - "For 800 years have I trained jedi" pretty much says it.

3) Luke Skywalker - The OT was only a part of his influence, which has been expanded greatly in novels and comics.

4) Darth Sidious/Palpatine - Nearly destroyed the Jedi and took over pretty much everything for awhile.

5) Leia Organa Solo - Onetime Leader of the Rebellion, Chief of State, Jedi Master, and mother of 3 influential Jedi.

6) R2-D2 - Our heroes would never have made it through one movie without him.

7) Han Solo - Smuggler and Hero-for-hire that repeatedly saved the day well into the expanded universe. Don't tell him the odds.

8) Obi Wan Kenobi - Hero of the Clone Wars, mentor and guide to Luke Skywalker and his father.

9) Jacen Solo - Twin born of Leia and Han. Took the mantle Darth Caedus after a path of confusion, pain, and discovery.

10) Jaina Solo - Twin born of Leia and Han. "Sword of the Jedi".

11) Mara Jade Skywalker - Wife of Luke Skywalker and former "Emperor's Hand" that would shape events for the jedi for years. Mentor to Jaina Solo.

12) Gilad Pellaeon - Supreme Commander of the Imperial Remnant and eventually the Galactic Alliance. Broke down lines between Imperial and Republic.

13) XoXaan - Influence lasted 4 millenia. She had a part in establishing the Sith at the beginning, and her teachings restarted the Sith Order under Darth Krayt.

14) Darth Bane - Established the "rule of two" and kept the Sith hidden for years when they were thought to be extinct.

15) Count Dooku - Leader of the separatists during the Clone Wars. Darth Tyranus.

16) Mon Mothma - Leader of the rebellion against the Empire. Founding member.

17) Bail Organa - Leader of the rebellion, adopted father of Leia, marshalled the galaxy to action.

18) Padme Amidala - Queen and eventual Senator of Naboo. Instrumental in resistance against war. Mother of Luke and Leia.

19) Chewbacca - Fierce, loyal companion to Han Solo that died protecting his child.

20) Admiral Ackbar - Military leader of the rebellion and eventually the New Republic

21) Qui Gon Jinn - Master of Obi Wan Kenobi. Found Anakin Skywalker, believing him to be "the one".

22) C-3PO - Protocol droid that was asked to do much more in the employ of Luke, Leia and others.

23) Lando Calrissean - Businessman and smuggler that aided the rebels and Republic. Led the attack on the second death star.

24) Vergere - Jedi that lived with the Yuuzhan Vong for a time. Experimented on Jacen Solo eventually creating his downfall.

25) Nom Anor - Yuuzhan Vong manipulator and scout that prepped the galaxy for a destructive invasion.

26) Ben Skywalker - Offspring of Luke Skywalker and Mara Jade. Powerful Jedi that is still reaching his potential

27) Grand Moff Tarkin - Commander of the first Death Star. Rule through fear.

28) Lumiya - Instigator and apprentice to Darth Vader that caused chaos and grief to the Skywalkers and the galaxy.

29) Grand Admiral Thrawn - Nearly re-established the Empire after it was taken down. Brilliant military strategist.

30) "Starkiller" Galen Marek - Vader's "secret" apprentice. Actually instrumental in forming the rebellion.

31) Natasi Daala - Imperial Admiral. Eventual Chief of State of the Galactic Alliance. How did that happen?

32) Jan Dodonna - Long serving military mind that found the flaw in the Death Star and wrote the book on modern space combat.

33) Crix Madine - Imperial defector that helped lead the rebellion as a General.

34) Jango Fett - Pattern for the entire clone army. Bounty hunter "father" of Boba. One time Mandalore… leader of the Mandalorians.

35) Boba Fett - Unkillable bounty hunter. The best in the business. Later became the Mandalore

36) Jabba the Hutt - Crime Lord

37) Kyle Katarn - Jedi and mercenary instrumental in the capturing of the death star plans.

38) Corran Horn - Jedi Master, Roque Squadron Pilot, Corsec officer... is there nothing this guy can't do?

39) Borsk Fey'lya - Chief of State and political leader. Eventual martyr during Vong War.

40) Wedge Antilles - Lived through the destruction of both Death Stars as a fighter pilot. Leader of Rogue Squadron.

41) Mace Windu - Jedi Council member and fierce combatant.

42) Darth Revan - A powerful sith and redeemed jedi that influenced future sith like Darth Bane.

43) Exar Kun - Ancient sith that years later nearly destroyed Luke Skywalker and his academy.

44) Darth Krayt - Former jedi A'Sharad Hett that ended up surviving to re-establish the One Sith.

45) Cade Skywalker - Descendent of Anakin and Luke with darkness and honor in his blood.

46) Bodo Baas - Descendant of Vodo Baas. Keeper of the Holocron of Jedi knowledge.

47) Kyp Durron - Jedi apprentice that went dark and caused destruction, then redeemed, went on to be a controversial Jedi Master.

48) Talon Karrde - Honorable leader of the Smuggler's Alliance. Routinely aided the Jedi.

49) Prince Xizor - Leader of criminal syndicate Black Sun.

50) Quinlan Vos - Jedi that skirted the edge between light and dark. Influential in infiltrating the separatists.

51) Darth Maul - The first sith anyone had seen in a millenium. Apprentice to Darth Sidious.

52) Ysanne Isard - Imperial Admiral. Enemy of Rogue Squadron.

53) Oppo Rancisis - Influential battle tactician and Jedi Council Member.

54) Bevel Lemelisk - Engineer of the death stars, darksaber, and other Imperial projects

55) Raith Sienar - Conceived the death star, member of influential Seinar spaceship building empire (Sienar Technologies), designer of the TIE fighter

56) Aurra Sing - Bounty hunter and Jedi killer.

57) Jerec - Fallen Dark Jedi hunted jedi and rebels

58) Kir Kanos - Crimson Guard super soldier who fought his own treacherous kind. Also used the bounty hunter alias Kenix Kil later.

59) Cal Omas - Long standing Chief of State. Essential in putting the galaxy back together after the Vong War.

60) Tenel Ka - Mother of Jacen Solo's child Allana. Queen Mother of Hapes Consotium and Jedi.

61) Nute Gunray - Neimoidian Trade Federation leader that paved the way for the return of the sith and the Clone Wars.

62) Tycho Celchu - Rebel hero and leader of Rogue Squadron for awhile.

63) Baron Soontir Fel - The top Imperial pilot that became a rogue for awhile before returning to the Chiss and the Empire under Thrawn

64) Gavin Darklighter - Member or Rogue Squadron that eventually became an Admiral

65) Wes Janson - Rebel hero and member of Rogue Squadron and Wraith Squadron

66) Aruk the Hutt - Aruk the Great. Leader of Besadii kajidic that amassed a great wealth through slave trade and spice smuggling.

67) Durga the Hutt - Ambitious Hutt that was the successor to Aruk. Also became a Black Sun Vigo.

68) Wullf Yularen - An Admiral in the Republic Navy during the Clone Wars, he went on to serve in the Imperial Security Bureau aboard the 1st Death Star.

69) Booster Terrik - Smuggler and helper of the Jedi. Used his captured Star Destroyer to transport, house, and back up the galactic republic

70) Winter Celchu - Friend and impersonator of Princess Leia. An spy and rebel agent also known as Targeter. Watched over Solo children when they were young.

71) Plo Koon - Influential Jedi Council member.

72) Ki Adi Mundi - Influential Jedi Council member.

73) Aayla Secura - For empowering female Twi'leks as more than dancing girls and for jumping from the pages of comics to the big screen, among other things.

74) Darth Plagueis - Master of Darth Sidious, master of midi-chlorian manipulation

75) Karness Muur - Creator of Muur Talisman which created army of mindless rakghouls and whose affects spanned the millenia.

76) General Grievous - Leader of the separatist droid army

77) K'Kruhk - Long lived jedi that shaped the paths of many through the period of Anakin, Luke, and his descendants Kol, and Cade.

78) Garm Bel Iblis - Corellian senator and military leader played a pivotal role in the defeat of Thrawn and the Vong, and the establishment of the New Republic

79) Thrackan Sal-Solo - Cousin of Han Solo that was responsible for the second Galactic Civil War. Obsessed with Centerpoint Station.

80) Lama Su - Prime Minister of Kamino and overseer of the creation of the clone army of the Republic

81) Sate Pestage - Long time advisor to Palpatine. Attempted to rule after his death.

82) Mandalore the Ultimate - Accepted multiple species into the Mandalorians, formed into the Neo-Crusaders, and began the Mandalorian Wars.

83) San Hill - Chairman of the InterGalactic Banking Clan that aligned with the Separatists

84) Wat Tambor - Leader of the Techno Union that helped fund and supply the Separatists.

85) Passel Argente - Magistrate of the Corporate Alliance that aligned with the Separatists

86) Poggle the Lesser - Archduke of Geonosis controlled droid factories that produced battle droids for the Separatists. Clone Wars began on Geonosis.

87) Shu Mai - President of the Commerce Guild that aligned with the Separatists.

88) Po Nudo - Aligned the Hyper-Communications Cartel with the Separatists.

89) Tikkes - Leader of the Quarren Isolation League that aligned with the Separatists during the Clone Wars

90) Raynar Thul - Jedi that became a Killik joiner and almost pulled several other Jedi to join him. Indirectly caused another war that nearly enveloped the galaxy.

91) Saba Sebatyne - Master Jedi that mentored several other Jedi inclucing Leia Organa Solo, and was an acting Grand Master of the order in Luke's absence.

92) T'ra Saa - Long lived Jedi Master that influenced Jedi matters from before the clone wars, into the era of Cade Skywalker.

93) Naga Sadow - Sith lord form the days of the first Sith Empire that had human and the Sith species blood. Led the Sith invasion into the Republic.

94) Freedon Nadd - Fallen Jedi that awakened Naga Sadow's spirit and became a Dark Lord of the Sith.

95) Tyber Zann - Crime lord the led his own faction known as the Zann Consortium. Expelled from the Imperial Academy and held a grudge.

96) Warlord Zsinj - Powerful post-Imperial Warlord that at the height of his power, controlled a third of the galaxy.

97) Sien Sovv - Sullustan Supreme Commander of the New Republic/Galactic Alliance Defense Force. Served on the first High Council organized by Cal Omas.

98) Darth Malgus - Sith Lord of the Old Republic that led an attack on Coruscant that destroyed to Jedi Temple and disgraced the Jedi.

99) Tor Vizsla - Founder of the Death Watch faction of the Mandalorians that started a Mandalorian civil war. His work continued by another of his clan, Pre Vizsla

100) Roan Fel - Head of the Moff Council after the 2nd Galactic Civil War. An Imperial Knight who attempted to ally the Empire with the Galactic Remnant and Jedi.

100 Cool Star Wars Characters (that you may have missed)

Many of these are obscure to say the least, but they are cool just for being cool, weird, funny, or simply existing at all. Some of these have been written about quite a bit... others I'd love to read more about. Check them out at www.wookieepedia.com

1) Jaxxon
2) Amaiza Foxtrain
3) Wrenga Jixton
4) Tarfang
5) Moruth Doole
6) Ponc Gavrisom
7) Trioculus
8) Bar-Kooda
9) Ooroo
10) Ebrihim and Q9-X2
11) Micamberlecto
12) Kud'ar Mub'at
13) Dob and Del Moomo
14) D'harhan
15) Kapp Dendo
16) Talon Karrde
17) Jorj Car'das
18) Zonama Sekot
19) Vilmarh Grahrk
20) Mirax Terrik Horn
21) Bollux and Blue Max
22) Voort "Piggy" SaBinring
23) Vuffi Raa
24) Laa the Bouncer
25) Celot Ratua Dil
26) Hohass "Runt" Ekwesh
27) Plif the Hoojib
28) Waru
29) Xaverri
30) Shug Ninx
31) Kal'Falnl C'ndros
32) Charza Kwinn
33) Gundarks
34) Ikrit
35) Jaden Korr
37) Basilisk War Droids
38) The Killik
39) Umgullian Blobs (Racing)
40) Delva Racine
41) Zakarisz Ghent
42) Knife
43) Ysalamiri
44) Goran Beviin
45) Shadowspawn/Blackhole/ Cronal
46) Empatojayos Brand
47) Grand Moff Trachta
48) Booster Terrik
49) Belindi Kalenda
50) Wandrella
51) Zythmnr
52) Jon Antilles
53) Kiro
54) Barpotomous Drebble
55) Kueller
56) Khedryn Faal
57) Kell Douro
58) Master Thon
59) Ke Daiv
60) The Yinchorri
61) C-3PX
62) Beldon
63) Bafforr Trees
64) Tojjevvuk
65) Guri
66) Dash Rendar
67) Iella Wessiri Antilles
68) Droma
69) Senator Grebleips
70) Hachete (duelist elite droid)
71) Kinman Doriana
72) Cakhmaim and Meewalh
73) Rukh
74) Het Nkik
75) Khaleen Hentz
76) Republic Commando Boss
77) Republic Commando Sev
78) Republic Commando Scorch
79) Republic Commando Fixer
80) Kal Skirata
81) Kornell "Uli" Divini
82) Elegos A'Kla
83) K'Kruhk
84) Teneniel Djo
85) Garm Bel Iblis
86) Traest Kre'fey
87) Baron Soontir Fel
88) Jagged Fel
89) Gorc & Pic
90) Vandar Tokare
91) Gar Stazi
92) Ton Phanan
93) Nym
94) Ooryl Qrygg
95) Felucian Warriors
96) Sardu Sallowe
97) Muuurgh
98) Akku Seii
99) B'Dard Tone
100) Teek

100 Star Wars Villains

There are a lot of Bad Guys in the Star Wars Universe. (I consider most of the droids and clones to be just following orders and there are endless Imperial officers, so most didn't make the list.)

1) Darth Vader
2) Darth Tyranus
3) Darth Sidious
4) Darth Maul
5) Darth Krayt
6) Darth Nihilus
7) Darth Nihl
8) Darth Talon
9) Darth Maladi
10) Darth Sion
11) Darth Malak
12) Darth Revan
13) Darth Bane
14) Darth Zannah
15) Darth Plagueis
16) Darth Traya
17) Darth Maleval
18) Darth Stryfe
19) Darth Wyyrlok
20) Marka Ragnos
21) Naga Sadow
22) Freedon Nad
23) Exar Kun
24) Lumiya
25) Alema Rar
26) Lomi Plo
27) Asajj Ventress
28) General Grievous
29) Grand Moff Tarkin
30) Kueller
31) Darth Caedus
32) Xanatos
33) Granta Omega
34) Komari Vosa
35) Jabba the Hutt
36) Durga the Hutt
37) Gardulla the Hutt
38) Ziro the Hutt
39) Zorba the Hutt
40) Teroenza
41) Sebulba
42) Durge
43) Aurra Sing
44) Desann
45) Tavion
46) Nom Anor
47) Vergere
48) Overlord Shimrra
49) Tsavong Lah
50) Onimi
51) Jango Fett
52) Boba Fett
53) IG-88
54) Zuckuss
55) 4-LOM
56) Dengar
57) Bossk
58) Cradossk
59) Cad Bane
60) Zam Wesell
61) Grand Admiral Thrawn
62) Mandalore
63) Admiral Daala
64) Ysanne Isard
65) Sate Pestage
66) Hondo Ohnaka
67) Robonino
68) Warlord Zsinj
69) Carnor Jax
70) Crimson Jack
71) Garris Shrike
72) Baron Tagge
73) Valence
74) Wat Tambor
75) San Hill
76) Poggle the Lesser
77) Nute Gunray
78) Rune Haaku
79) Haazen
80) Chantique
81) Demagol
82) Volfe Karkko
83) Rakghoul
84) Voxyn
85) Firwirrung
86) Sh'tk'ith (Bluescale)
87) Gethzerion
88) Mother Talzin
89) Savage Oppress
90) Captain Cohl
91) Nil Spaar
92) Hethrir
93) Thrackan Sal-Solo
94) Prince Xizor
95) Big Gizz
96) Gamorrean Guards
97) Tyber Zann
98) Sise Fromm
99) Boc Aseca
100) Leonia Tavira