Join Rob Zacny, Natalie Watson, Ali Acampora, and Austin Walker as they dive headfirst into the fall of the Galactic Republic, debate which Jedi is messiest, and dig into the themes and politics of The Clone Wars. Cover Art by @XeeceeVEVO on Twitter. Email us questions for our Patreon Q&As at: amorecivilizedage@gmail.com!
This week we wrap up the 2015 run of Star Wars: Darth Vader! With the ore barons of Shu-Torun leashed and Cylo drawn out as a traitor, Darth Vader can finally address what really matters: Locating the missing Doctor Aphra, facing whatever truths Inspector Thanoth has found, and telling the Emperor that his manipulations are all too obvious. Next Time: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 1 — Aphra (Doctor Aphra 2016 Issues 1 - 6 Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Michael Hermes Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
This week, we have escaped from the gravity of of the comic book crossover and returned back to the day-in-the-life tale of Darth Vader. Still hurting from the Death Star's destruction, the Empire badly needs ore to build back its strength. One key supplier: The world of Shu-Torun, a lava filled, mineral rich world of ore dukes, magma submarines, and mining citadels. The only problem is, this world has decided to rescind its deal to the Emperor. Enter: Vader. Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Show Notes Star Fox Video Mentioned "What's Going on in Utah?": an Oral History of Brian Windhorst's Viral Monologue Caleb Hearon's Funniest Bit Okay actually maybe this is Caleb Hearon's funniest bit. Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Michael Hermes Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
Our dip into the mid 2010s Marvel Comics Star Wars universe continues, and this time, we've got a bona fide crossover event! "Vader Down" jumps between issues of Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca's Darth Vader (which we've been reading for the past few eps) AND Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato Jr's Star Wars . Which means we've got an extended stay with the comics version of Han, Luke, and Leia. Can they live up to their movie counterparts? Next Time: Darth Vader Vol. 3 — The Shu-Torun War (Darth Vader (2015) Annual 1 and issues 16 - 19) Show Notes Yasiin Bey on Drake Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Michael Hermes Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
We will, eventually, get to the second set of Vader comics. But first, the gang imagines how they're going to react to The Mandalorian and Grogu . Because of course our patrons have already heard our reaction! Then they discuss how Vader has to sabotage yet another investigation into his own treachery, and Dr. Aphra's character arc as well as her academic credentials. Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Michael Hermes Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
Today we begin a journey into the Dark Side as we begin our reading of Marvel's 2015's Darth Vader comic, Written by Kieron Gillen with art by Salvador Larroca! It has a high reputation, not least of which is due to its introduction of the beloved character Doctor Aphra, but can it do what so few attempts to fill in the blank spaces of the films pull off and actually be good on its own merits Let's find out together! Next Time: Book II: Shadows and Secrets (Vader (2015) issues 7-12) Show Notes Catherine Zeta-Jones Laser Scene in Entrapment Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Michael Hermes Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
We come at last to the grand finale of the original Star Wars trilogy, and it, too, is haunted by the past. Once again, in space, a one time scoundrel must trust his gut and swoop down to the pits of a cataclysmic, moon-sized weapon to save the day. Once again, aboard that station, a Jedi must come to the realization that striking down his opponent is not the path to real power. And once again, on a small world below, a rag-tag group Rebels from across the galaxy can do nothing but watch and hope as... wait, sorry, I'm taking another look. What are those little furry guys. They didn't have those at Yavin, I'll tell you that much. Seems like a group of difference makers if I've ever met one. Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! NEXT TIME: Marvel Comic's Darth Vader (2015) Issues 1-6 Show Notes The Vader Yule Log 'Weesa Free' Moment Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Michael Hermes Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
Return of the Jedi is a haunted movie. It is haunted most obviously by the ghosts of the past films: droids walking across desert wastes, fateful holograms delivered in desperation, deflector shield substations, robotic hands, and a Death Star hanging above the world. But it is also haunted by the future of the franchise: further reliance on ambitious CGI, a subtle sanding down in humor and character, dozens of little creatures whose names are never said but whose identity marketing has taught you before you ever see the text start rolling across the screen. Star Wars, as we know it, has arrived. Show Notes Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas - Outtakes Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Michael Hermes Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
The heroes of the rebellion have fled Hoth and found themselves in new environs unlike any we've seen in Star Wars before. Bespin's Cloud City is the first real metropolis in the series, and while Yavin was covered in trees, it was nothing like the damp swamps of Dagobah, home to creepy crawlies of all sorts. As our heroes meet their respective contacts, one has to wonder, which of these new worlds is home to the more trustworthy sort of person? Trick question. You can't trust either of these motherfuckers. Show Notes Episode 1 Yoda Comparison Video How the Famous 'I Love You/I Know' Scene From 'The Empire Strikes Back' Really Came Together Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Michael Hermes Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
Three years after Luke turned off his targeting computer, Star Wars returns. Indeed, one might even ask "Is The Empire Strikes Back the actual 'start' of what we know as Star Wars?" Maybe! It's here that Star Wars begins to take the shape of a franchise (without any of the bloat yet), Industrial Light & Magic performs even greater special effects miracles, and the story begins to effortlessly blend fairy tale and melodrama. Plus, we get to see the original little green freak in his natural habitat. NEXT TIME: The Back Half of Empire Strikes Back Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Michael Hermes Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
We return with the back half of a little movie called Star Wars . We can finally talk about some of the most foundational moments in the franchise. The very first lightsaber duel--and its relationship to a little tv show called Obi-Wan Kenobi. The series' three protagonists finally sharing screen time. The Death Star trench run and its relationship to the Force and Technology. But we also get to talk about some of the stuff that gets lost along the way. Like about just how funny Star Wars has always been. How the Empire is already a bit of a send-up of bureaucrat sci-fi baddies. And how whether Lucas knew the particularities of their history or not, Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi show up with enough ambiguity and depth to carry years and years of storytelling to come. Show Notes George Lucas: The Wizard of 'Star Wars' | Rolling Stone REBEL SCANNERS: Preserving Star Wars (with Rob of TEAM NEGATIVE 1) Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Austin Walker Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
A long time ago in a galaxy, far far away... there was a spaceship with a princess and a pair of droids and a malevolence dressed in black. There was a desert world with two suns and a farm boy whose only chance at escaping the planet's gravity was a wizard who lived out in the hills and couple of smugglers looking for a big payday. And there was something grey--aggressively grey--a sphere in the darkness of space, blocking out the stars, lighting up envy green, and insisting on its own place in the orbits of galactic lives. Today we talk about Star Wars. Show Notes Star Wars Version Comparison Luke and Biggs Deleted Scenes Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Austin Walker Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
We've come to the end of Matt Stover's (p)re-telling of Revenge of the Sith , and it has raised a lot more questions than it answered (which isn't, necessarily, a bad thing). Questions like: "Why does Anakin say things like that?" and "How do I know that's a baby?" and, maybe most importantly, "Padme who?" NEXT TIME: STAR WARS Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Show Notes Four Reasons Yoda Failed as a CEO Common Cyborg Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Austin Walker Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
We return to the final days of the old Republic. But not the Old Republic. That's different, now, that's like... an even older time before all this. Anyway, the Battle of Coruscant has concluded and its heroes, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi can finally come home for a little rest. And a little scheming. And a little paranoia. The Jedi Council members spin their wheels despite having all the clues. Palpatine spins the world around his finger. And Padme, Anakin's Wife (remember this), is also there. Next Time: The Rest of the Book Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Austin Walker Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
This is A More Civilized Age: Three hours of podcast when another team would make an hour and a half. Distractions. Diatribes. Deep dives into the databanks to learn, live on air, factoids about characters who hardly matter. But that's what makes A More Civilized Age A More Civilized Age: All of it might matter. Five years running and it's still asking questions a first year podcast might. And today it is going to learn what it already knew: That Anakin Skywalker is driven by love and fear in equal, but precarious measure. That Obi-Wan Kenobi, the ultimate blueprint of a Jedi, always knows when he's looking at a butt. That R2-D2 and C-3PO are slaves, but like, don't worry about that so much, they're more like friends, right? That Palpatine always has a plan, but always loves to pivot. And that Padme was there, too. And it is proud to be your podcast. Next Time: Chapters 8-14! Show Notes Camile Paglia about Revenge of the Sith It's All Stover, a Matthew Stover Podcast, hosted by Carter Richmond and Ina Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Michael Hermes Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
When I went to post this episode, I went through all the motions necessary to post it as a Patreon bonus before remembering: "Oh no, wait, did we actually watch this chaotic mess for the main feed?" That's how bonkers this 1978 variety show is. So get ready to have your mind evaporated by this neutron bomb of content as we head to the Wookiee Planet on this very special Life Day. Next Time: Matthew Stover's Revenge of the Sith Novelization, Part One: Victory (Chapters 1 - 7) Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Show Notes The Star Wars Holiday Special Commercials Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Chia Contreras ( cado.bsky.social ) Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
With the Ravager in pieces, Telos seemingly saved, and an army of HK-51s unleashed, the Exile and the (remaining) crew of the Ebon Hawk heads to the place where it all began: Malachor V. There, at the end of a multi-level dungeon and a couple of boss fights, the two remaining Sith Lords stand in wait. And in classic KOTOR II fashion, what they have to offer is tantalizing, memorable, and famously unfinished. And that's that for KOTOR II. Thank you for coming on this amazing journey. We can't wait to kick off a new series in the new year... but first... Next Time: THE STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL Show Notes
After a climactic confrontation on Dantooine, the Exile and the (remaining) crew of the Ebon Hawk return to Telos, chasing after the Handmaiden and Kreia. There, the Handmaiden faces down her sisters, the Exile comes face to face with Atris (if that is still her name), and HK-47 fights his way through a factory of hostility-ending droids. Then, above Telos, war breaks out. Darth Nihlus arrives at the helm of his corpse-of-a-ship, the Ravager, hoping to find a buffet of Jedi to devour. Instead he finds only his old disciple, a pissed off Mandalorian warlord, and a once-exiled Jedi. Show Notes Unseen, Unheard Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Chia Contreras ( cado.bsky.social ) Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
With three of the missing Jedi Masters found, the Exile, Kreia, and the rest of the Ebon Hawk's ad hoc (ad hawk?) crew finally head towards the ancient Sith world of Korriban. There they find... well, mostly the same planet that Revan and co. left behind a few years ago, albeit a little more decrepit than usual. Then, its back to Dantooine to confront the reconvened Jedi Council and finally get some long promised answers. Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Chia Contreras ( cado.bsky.social ) Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
The Exile and the crew of the Ebon Hawk return to Dxun at the behest of Jedi Master Kevar, loyal guardian of Onderon's queen. Onderon itself is at war, and like everything else in KOTOR 2, this crisis could spiral out of control and destabilize the wider galaxy if things go bad. And that's why the Exile and co will need to split into two teams, finally kill a bunch of Sith randos, and spend like an hour doing basic algebra and deeply confusing logic puzzles. Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Chia Contreras ( cado.bsky.social ) Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
With two new party members in tow (and some dark secrets about our old crew newly learned), the Exile heads back to the first of two locales originally visited by Revan and co. during KOTOR 1: Dantooine. The old Jedi Enclave lays in ruins from a Sith attack towards the end of the last war, and the newly emerging government finds itself needing to serve three factions: fearful farmers, bored mercenaries, and sneaky salvagers. And none of them are big fans of Jedi. Also, we meet one of the biggest herbs in the galaxy. Next Time: Return to Onderon Show Notes Hosted by Rob Zacny ( robzacny.bsky.social ) Featuring Alicia Acampora ( ali-online.bsky.social ), Austin Walker ( austinwalker.bsky.social ), and Natalie Watson ( nataliewatson.bsky.social ) Produced by Chia Contreras ( cado.bsky.social ) Music by Jack de Quidt ( notquitereal.bsky.social Cover art by Xeecee ( xeecee.bsky.social )
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