8 Books and Comics to Read Before the ‘Obi-Wan’ Series
Good morning! Famed Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi has been a fixture in the Star Wars universe since the beginning. Be the first to guide Luke Skywalker (and the world) through his first steps into the larger world of the Force. A mentor, a warrior, a negotiator, a friend, Kenobi has seen and done it all in the galaxy far, far away.
This fan-favorite character has had many daring adventures and devastating heartbreaks in his lifetime, from his exploits in the Clone Wars to the tragic downfall of his padawan, Anakin Skywalker. Although through all tragedy and hardship, Obi-Wan never lost his way and continued to serve the Light Side by being the perfect example of what it means to be a Jedi.
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan comic (Legends)
Set five years before The Phantom Menace, this comic book miniseries follows a young Obi-Wan, who is still a Padawan, and his wise master Qui-Gon Jinn, on an adventure to recover a missing ship. Lead the Jedi duo to a lawless land where they will have to rely on more than the Force and their lightsabers to survive.
It’s always fun to see more Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon together as the master and apprentice team take on deadly outlaws and slavers. Set during the Golden Age of the Jedi, before the Dark Times, this comic is packed with action and thrills, giving a deeper insight into Obi-Wan’s early life.
Master and Apprentice
Master and Apprentice deepens the relationship between Obi-Wan and his master Qui-Gon. Eight years before the two Jedi meet the Chosen One, Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan are sent to a planet to settle a political dispute.
This book does a great job of showing the beginning of the rocky relationship between Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon is a nonconformist who thinks for himself and often goes against the council’s teachings. Whereas Obi-Wan is a more mundane padawan who doesn’t understand his master and his philosophy. Obi-Wan must learn to think outside the box in order to become the talented Jedi Knight he is destined to be.
Cloak of Deception (Legends)
Set several months before Episode I, Cloak of Deception is an in-depth look at the political unrest in the Republic that prompts the Trade Federation to begin its blockade on Naboo. With a bureaucracy filled with greed and corruption, it’s up to Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan to navigate the seedy world of politics and protect the Chancellor from an assassination attempt.
Filled with lots of space politics and intriguing plots, Cloak of Deception does a great job of expanding and better understanding the very complicated world of Prequel Politics. Provide interesting background and world building in Prequel Era Star Wars.
Outbound flight (Legends)
Timothy Zahn is a master when it comes to writing in the world of a galaxy far, far away and Outbound flight could be one of his best. Zahn takes readers on another thrilling adventure to the far reaches of space as a group of Jedi Knights and Republic families set out to explore the Unknown Regions.
When Obi-Wan and his young apprentice, Anakin Skywalker, are asked to escort the outgoing flight until it reaches deep space, they must deal with external and internal threats. Obi-Wan confronts the project leader, a proud Jedi Knight who often tiptoes between light and dark, while facing the dangers of an unknown alien race lurking in the Unknown Regions.
Obi-Wan and Anakin comic
This canon comic book miniseries sees the beginnings of Obi-Wan and Anakin’s partnership as the master and apprentice duo investigate a mysterious distress signal on a distant planet.
It’s a fun, quick read that dives a little deeper into Obi-Wan and Anakin’s tense dynamic with each other. The two Jedi learn as they go. An interesting aspect of the comics are the flashbacks, which give more details about how Anakin became so close to Chancellor Palpatine.
The Approaching Storm (Legends)
Located just before attack of the clones, this Legends book follows Obi-Wan and Anakin on a mission to stop a Republic planet from seceding and joining the burgeoning separatist movement. The two Jedi are joined by another master and apprentice duo, Luminara Unduli and Barriss Offee, to help mediate between two of the planet’s warring factions.
At this point, Obi-Wan and Anakin have been training together for several years but still have a rocky relationship. Anakin is still impatient as always and often rejects Obi-Wan’s advice, but Obi-Wan keeps trying to guide his very powerful apprentice. With the inclusion of Barriss, the book offers an interesting look at how other Padawan react and think about this gifted but troubled chosen one.
fraternity
One of the latest additions to the new canon, fraternity resume after Episode II as the devastating Clone Wars rage across the galaxy. Now promoted to Jedi Knight and on equal footing with his former master, Anakin fights his way to a mission to help Obi-Wan investigate an explosion on the Separatists’ homeworld.
Now equal to Obi-Wan, Anakin finds himself in uncertain territory as the ever-determined Anakin continues to do things his own way despite Obi-Wan’s protests. Obi-Wan tries to guide his young friend on the right path, but with a brutal war raging across the galaxy and Anakin’s powers growing, his young apprentice continues to elude him. But if they want to survive this terrible threat and the coming war, they must settle their differences and be one. As brothers.
Kenobi (Legends)
After the terrible events of Order 66 and the downfall of Anakin Skywalker, Obi-Wan is in self-imposed exile on the desert world of Tatooine destined to watch over his deceased apprentice’s secret son, Luke Skywalker.
This incredible Legends novel follows Obi-Wan during his early days as a hermit on the dreaded sand planet as he tries to watch over Luke from afar and learn to carry on without the Jedi Order. Kenobi is torn as he wants to help those in need around him but risks exposing himself to the tyrannical Galactic Empire. Although no longer canon, this book serves as an influence for the next Disney+ series and potentially has similar plot points.
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