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Star Wars Legends: Audio Dramas
Star Wars: Dark Empire
Han Solo and Princess Leia, now married, struggle to protect their twin children from danger. Darth Vader is dead, but a reborn Empire strikes back against the Rebel Alliance, and the Rebels discover that their greatest foe may be their closest friend: Luke Skywalker!
Written by John Whitman, based on Tom Veitch’s comic
Directed by Arthur G. Insana
Music by John Williams
Starring:
John Cygan as Luke Skywalker, Wedge Antilles and Darth Vader
Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
Joe Hacker as Han Solo, Boba Fett and Lo Khan
Ann Patricio as Princess Leia and Mon Mothma
Nick Jameson as Emperor Palpatine and Titus Klev
Jim Ward as C-3PO
Andy Cowan as Admiral Ackbar
Glynnis Talken as Salla Zend and Vima-Da-Boda
Written by John Whitman, based on Tom Veitch’s comic
Directed by Arthur G. Insana
Music by John Williams
Starring:
John Cygan as Luke Skywalker, Wedge Antilles and Darth Vader
Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian
Joe Hacker as Han Solo, Boba Fett and Lo Khan
Ann Patricio as Princess Leia and Mon Mothma
Nick Jameson as Emperor Palpatine and Titus Klev
Jim Ward as C-3PO
Andy Cowan as Admiral Ackbar
Glynnis Talken as Salla Zend and Vima-Da-Boda
150 pages, Audio Cassette
First published July 1, 1994
56 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 16, 2016
As I said in one of my status updates, this is no longer canon as Disney erased the Extended Universe canon when they took over the franchise. I'm not bothered - we comic book fans are used to canon being changed and alternate universes. I can still enjoy the story.
What's interesting is that this is a radio play based on a comic book. If I remember correctly, it's by the same people who did the NPR radio play of the original trilogy. The voice acting is a little wooden, but Billy Dee Williams stops in to do Lando and his acting is great.
The story is interesting, but seems a little rushed when taken out of the context of a comic book. The idea of Luke toying with the Dark Side, given his family history is interesting.
One thing I don't get about this storyline is that only Leia and Han's kids are potential Jedi. Yet, before Vader killed the Jedi, there were tons of Jedi. And no reason to think it was hereditary.
What's interesting is that this is a radio play based on a comic book. If I remember correctly, it's by the same people who did the NPR radio play of the original trilogy. The voice acting is a little wooden, but Billy Dee Williams stops in to do Lando and his acting is great.
The story is interesting, but seems a little rushed when taken out of the context of a comic book. The idea of Luke toying with the Dark Side, given his family history is interesting.
One thing I don't get about this storyline is that only Leia and Han's kids are potential Jedi. Yet, before Vader killed the Jedi, there were tons of Jedi. And no reason to think it was hereditary.
August 13, 2025
Corascant
Works far better as a corny as hell audio drama. Still hate most of what this is and how it is told but the very silly performances and overall dated esthetic hits me right in the feels. I grew up with those Dark Forces audio dramas and this is just more of that so of course I'll dig it. Some hilarious voices, a genuinely solid Han performance, and Bill Dee Williams putting in far more then you would expect for what this is. Shocking Anthony Daniels wasn't in this.
Works far better as a corny as hell audio drama. Still hate most of what this is and how it is told but the very silly performances and overall dated esthetic hits me right in the feels. I grew up with those Dark Forces audio dramas and this is just more of that so of course I'll dig it. Some hilarious voices, a genuinely solid Han performance, and Bill Dee Williams putting in far more then you would expect for what this is. Shocking Anthony Daniels wasn't in this.
September 27, 2025
Much like a lot of old comics, I struggle to enjoy them. This audio drama does a great job of bringing out the story of the comic without the janky old art that always puts me off.
I love a good Star Wars Audiodrama, while this wasn't perfect and definitely feels of its time, it was a fun way of getting this story while going through the Legends timeline, I feel I would have missed a lot skipping this before Jedi Academy.
Time for the rest of the trilogy.
I love a good Star Wars Audiodrama, while this wasn't perfect and definitely feels of its time, it was a fun way of getting this story while going through the Legends timeline, I feel I would have missed a lot skipping this before Jedi Academy.
Time for the rest of the trilogy.
December 20, 2019
This audiobook has some very good voices for the characters seen in the OT. Except Boba Fett. Ewwwww
Overall though the adaptation was done well.
It's 6 years after ANH. After dealing with Thrawn, Luke has crashed on Coruscant and is scrounging through some of the underworld of Imperial City. Han, Luke, Chewie & 3PO search for him, only to see him under the effects of a holocron developed by Palpatine.
The Imperials threaten the New Republic, as well as themselves. Still, there are some battles, of which Han is getting tired of. Lando is more than happy to help though, especially for one that is in Mon Calamari space.
Luke begins falling to the Dark Side to learn why Anakin fell. He ends up in a Dark Force cage, which is presented with very science fiction noises. It was awesome.
He finds the Emperor's clone, who ends up helping him lead the Empire's forces.
It's very weird that Leia doesn't know about Nal Hutta. It's almost as weird hearing Han say "pepper".
Han and Leia are chased off Nal Hutta by bounty hunters and the Hutts. They head to the inner core to help Luke.
Disc 2 began very strange.
Han's ex and friend are unable to help him and Leia escape. Fortunately, Luke begins to break the Emperor's hold on him. Unfortunately, the Emperor attempts to lure Leia with a Jedi holocron...and then tries to take control of the child in her womb.
Overall though the adaptation was done well.
It's 6 years after ANH. After dealing with Thrawn, Luke has crashed on Coruscant and is scrounging through some of the underworld of Imperial City. Han, Luke, Chewie & 3PO search for him, only to see him under the effects of a holocron developed by Palpatine.
The Imperials threaten the New Republic, as well as themselves. Still, there are some battles, of which Han is getting tired of. Lando is more than happy to help though, especially for one that is in Mon Calamari space.
Luke begins falling to the Dark Side to learn why Anakin fell. He ends up in a Dark Force cage, which is presented with very science fiction noises. It was awesome.
He finds the Emperor's clone, who ends up helping him lead the Empire's forces.
It's very weird that Leia doesn't know about Nal Hutta. It's almost as weird hearing Han say "pepper".
Han and Leia are chased off Nal Hutta by bounty hunters and the Hutts. They head to the inner core to help Luke.
Disc 2 began very strange.
Han's ex and friend are unable to help him and Leia escape. Fortunately, Luke begins to break the Emperor's hold on him. Unfortunately, the Emperor attempts to lure Leia with a Jedi holocron...and then tries to take control of the child in her womb.
March 5, 2021
This is a fun little audio drama, but calibrate your expectations. The only original Star Wars actor who appears on this is Billy Dee Williams. He does a good job, as you'd expect. The other actors are OK: good enough not to be distracting, once you get used to them. And the plot for this is pretty far out of step with current Star Wars continuity, so don't expect this to fit in with any of the recent stuff.
The story here is an adaptation of a comic book series that I might have read when it first came out, but I'm not sure. It was a long time ago. It's not a bad story, but it's not significantly better than a lot of the other Star Wars stuff that's out there.
I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to seek this out, but if you happen to have access to it, and you're looking for an odd little Star Wars audio drama to listen to, you might enjoy it.
The story here is an adaptation of a comic book series that I might have read when it first came out, but I'm not sure. It was a long time ago. It's not a bad story, but it's not significantly better than a lot of the other Star Wars stuff that's out there.
I wouldn't recommend going out of your way to seek this out, but if you happen to have access to it, and you're looking for an odd little Star Wars audio drama to listen to, you might enjoy it.
January 10, 2022
Luke is curious about the dark side, so... he just jumps right in. Probably kills millions of people. For the greater good?
Han has a home on Nal Hutta and another jilted old flame. And a malfunctioning butler droid.
Leia pushes the Emperor out of bed and breaks his frail old leg. But it's all a part of his plan!
Lando is actually voiced by Billy Dee Williams.
The Emperor has clones because the dark side rots his flesh. He is seeking a powerful child to hold his powerful spirit.
The Emperor shouts, "Now you will experience my full potency!" and Luke and Leia experience his full potency. But Luke learns the power of friendship.
They have to hyperspace jump through a planetary shield. R2 carries the codes to save the day.
12 ships explode and everyone aboard dies, but WE DID IT!
Han has a home on Nal Hutta and another jilted old flame. And a malfunctioning butler droid.
Leia pushes the Emperor out of bed and breaks his frail old leg. But it's all a part of his plan!
Lando is actually voiced by Billy Dee Williams.
The Emperor has clones because the dark side rots his flesh. He is seeking a powerful child to hold his powerful spirit.
The Emperor shouts, "Now you will experience my full potency!" and Luke and Leia experience his full potency. But Luke learns the power of friendship.
They have to hyperspace jump through a planetary shield. R2 carries the codes to save the day.
12 ships explode and everyone aboard dies, but WE DID IT!
December 24, 2019
A good audiobook. The voice acting and sound effects were great. I really like the concept and ideas. For its actual execution, the story was decent enough for what it was, but I wish the plot focused more on Luke's development and less on the others. As for pacing, while Leia and Hans felt perfect, however, Luke's side of the story felt rather rushed to me. Also, I think Palpatine was a bit too truthful and straightforward, instead of being manipulative and cunning.
Overall though, the ideas this story contained were cool.
Overall though, the ideas this story contained were cool.
February 5, 2020
Back in the 90s, fans were starting to lose interest in STAR WARS, in fact, fans of the galaxy far, far away was at an all-time low. Before George Lucas released The Special Editions into theaters, Dark Horse Comics came out with this story about the return of Emperor Palpatine (long before "Rise of Skywalker" was even a thought in JJ's mind), which gave us a thrilling new adventure with our favorite characters along with the birth of what would become known as "The Expanded Universe!" (aka "The Legends Timeline").
January 9, 2016
I know this story gets a lot of flack and there is much to be desired but the concept is way too appealing not to be enjoyable to some extent. Luke coming over to the dark side to learn about his father and trick the Emperor is the best in-character way to get him there imo and it's just fun seeing him both struggling against and acquiescing to Palpatine. #feels
July 9, 2016
A great full cast audio book of the comic that started it all again. Tom Veitch's story of Luke going to the dark side to combat the reborn Emperor sounds too cheesy now, but it was a turning point in Star Wars history. The audio book greatly enhances the experience obtained in the comic, with additional descriptions and much more dialogue.
April 9, 2014
and we all thought that the star wars experiment was over! not so, two more books and i am calling it a series. i think this book might be where the next series picks up, but really i have no idea.
May 22, 2017
This audio drama is an absolute disaster. The dialogue is horrid, and the voice actors with the exception of Landon who just might be billy d williams himself, sound nothing like the original actors. Despite being under 3 hours, I couldn't bring myself to listen through the end.
December 15, 2015
Not great!
April 22, 2024
OMG, what a bunch of CRAP!
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews