Star Wars makes it easy to love its villains. They’re complex, complicated characters who are willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill the Emperor’s vision of the galaxy far, far away. Two characters, Darth Vader and Thrawn, are particularly beloved because they fit that description to a T-47 airspeeder…and also because they’re marvelously ruthless. Thanks to Del Rey, their paths are going to cross this July in the newest novel by Timothy Zahn, Thrawn: Alliances.
On Twitter, Del Rey revealed an exclusive cover that will be available for the lucky San Diego Comic-Con attendees who can get their hands on a book at their booth this year:
And while you’re there, check out this amazing variant on the Thrawn: Alliances cover art, which is going to be the cover for the San Diego Comic Con Exclusive edition of the book. #SDCC #StarWarsLong time no see, Anakin! pic.twitter.com/PaPZE9Moeo
— Star Wars Books (@DelReyStarWars) June 25, 2018
When Vader and Thrawn meet for the first time in the upcoming book, it will be as General Anakin Skywalker of the Republic and Commander Mitth’raw’nuruodo of the Expansionary Defense Fleet. In the SDCC exclusive cover, Anakin is wearing light armor that should look familiar to fans of the animated series The Clone Wars–but this is the first time we’ve gotten an official, tantalizing taste of what it would actually look like on Hayden Christensen.
We shared a first look at the highly anticipated novel earlier this year, and StarWars.com is back again with another exclusive sneak peek and audio clip from Thrawn: Alliances. It teases the uneasy partnership between the two, one an impulsive Jedi whose actions are guided by emotions, and the other a cool and calculating outsider who always seems to have the upper hand in any conversation.
The two will cross paths again, but years later as Darth Vader and Grand Admiral Thrawn, and their partnership will be put to the test as they join forces to face a powerful enemy.
Thrawn: Alliances will be available on July 24, 2018.
Do you think Thrawn and Vader make an unbeatable team? Tell us why in the comments.
Images: Disney / Lucasfilm
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