Ryder Windham

Last updated

Ryder Taylor Windham, born June 19, 1964, is an American author known for his extensive work in science fiction, particularly within the Star Wars universe. He has authored over 60 books related to Star Wars, encompassing novels, comics, and reference books, as well as junior novelizations of the Indiana Jones films. Since 1993, Windham has contributed to Star Wars literature, collaborating with other authors and working independently. His reference book, Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide, was listed on the New York Times Best Seller list for three weeks in 2005. [1]

Contents

Career

Star Wars

Windham began his involvement with Star Wars projects in 1993 while employed at Dark Horse Comics. [2] His role extended beyond writing, as he also oversaw the editing of comics in series such as Heir to the Empire , Jabba the Hutt , and Dark Empire II . His collaboration with Allan Kausch and Sue Rostoni at Lucas Licensing helped ensure continuity across Star Wars comics and novels. [2] In his efforts to maintain narrative consistency, Windham worked alongside Leland Chee, the continuity database administrator for Lucasfilm, ensuring that his contributions to the Star Wars series remained coherent with the established universe. [2]

Recent Years

Since 2004, Windham has served as an instructor and certificate advisor for comic and sequential art classes at the Rhode Island School of Design Continuing Education. He resides in Providence, Rhode Island, with his family. [3] [4] Ryder Windham also works closely with the publisher becker&mayer! and Lucasfilm's publishing licensees, including Dark Horse Comics, Del Rey, DK Publishing, Grosset & Dunlap, HarperCollins, Random House, and Scholastic Inc. His work with the latter of these has included production of the Bionicle reboot novels and graphic novels.

Publications

Windham's bibliography includes a diverse range of Star Wars literature, from the Star Wars The Clone Wars Secret Missions series to junior novelizations of the original trilogy and the Indiana Jones films. His work in comics has contributed significantly to the Star Wars expanded universe, offering fans deeper insights into the saga's characters and stories.

Novels

Comics

Young Readers Books

Reference Books

Short stories

Awards and honors

In 2005, Winham's book Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide spent three weeks in the top 10 of the New York Times Best Seller list. [13] [14] This comprehensive reference book is known for its detailed exploration of the Star Wars universe, catering to both new fans and long-time enthusiasts alike.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boba Fett</span> Fictional character in the Star Wars franchise

Boba Fett is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. First appearing in the Star Wars Holiday Special (1978), where he was voiced by Don Francks, he is an armored bounty hunter featured in both the original and prequel film trilogies. In the original trilogy, the character is a supporting antagonist and was mainly portrayed by Jeremy Bulloch and voiced by Jason Wingreen. Notable for his taciturn demeanor and for never removing his helmet, Fett appears in both The Empire Strikes Back (1980), employed by the Galactic Empire, and Return of the Jedi (1983), serving the crime lord Jabba the Hutt. While seemingly killed in Return of the Jedi after falling into a sarlacc, he has since appeared in Star Wars media set after the film, confirming his survival within the new canon, portrayed by Temuera Morrison. Daniel Logan plays a preteen Boba in the prequel film Attack of the Clones (2002), which reveals the character's origins as the genetic clone and adoptive son of Jango Fett, also a famous bounty hunter. Morrison appeared first in Star Wars media playing Jango. The animated series The Bad Batch further reveals Boba to have been born Alpha, and to have a biological twin sister, Omega. The series also reveals that he has another sister named Emerie Karr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Obi-Wan Kenobi</span> Fictional character in the Star Wars franchise

Obi-Wan Kenobi is a character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. In the original film trilogy, he is a Jedi Master who trains Luke Skywalker in the ways of the Force. In the prequel trilogy, he mentors Luke's father, Anakin Skywalker. Obi-Wan is portrayed by Alec Guinness in the original trilogy and by Ewan McGregor in the prequel films. McGregor also plays the character in the television series Obi-Wan Kenobi. Guinness's performance in Star Wars (1977) earned him the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor, as well as a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">C-3PO</span> Robot character from the Star Wars universe

C-3PO or See-Threepio  is a humanoid robot character in the Star Wars franchise. He is a protocol droid designed to assist in etiquette and translation, and is fluent in over six million forms of communication. The character appears in all nine films of the Skywalker Saga—which includes the original trilogy, the prequel trilogy and the sequel trilogy. Anthony Daniels portrays C-3PO in all the Skywalker Saga films and the standalone film Rogue One, and voices the droid in the animated film The Clone Wars. In addition to films, C-3PO appears in television series, novels, comics, and video games.

Clone Wars (<i>Star Wars</i>) Fictional war in Star Wars

The Clone Wars is a fictional conflict in the Star Wars franchise by George Lucas. Though mentioned briefly in the first Star Wars film, the war itself was not depicted until Attack of the Clones (2002) and Revenge of the Sith (2005). The Clone Wars are also the setting for three eponymous projects: a 2D animated series (2003–2005), a 3D film (2008), and a 3D animated series. They have featured in numerous Star Wars books and games.

<i>Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire</i> 1996 multimedia project created by Lucasfilm

Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire is a 1996 multimedia project created by Lucasfilm. The idea was to create a story set between the films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, and to explore all commercial possibilities of a full motion picture release without actually making a film. The venture was intended to reinvigorate interest in the franchise ahead of the theatrical Special Editions of the Star Wars trilogy released the following year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">General Grievous</span> Star Wars character

General Grievous is a character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. He was introduced in the 2003 animated series Star Wars: Clone Wars, before appearing through computer-generated imagery in the 2005 live-action film Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith. Wood reprised the role in the 2008 animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and the 2024 anthology series Tales of the Empire.

<i>Star Wars</i> comics Various comic books based on the Star Wars franchise

Star Wars comics have been produced by various comic book publishers since the debut of the 1977 film Star Wars. Marvel Comics launched its original series in 1977, beginning with a six-issue comic adaptation of the film and running for 107 issues, including an adaptation of The Empire Strikes Back. Marvel also released an adaptation of Return of the Jedi and spin-offs based on Droids and Ewoks. A self-titled comic strip ran in American newspapers between 1979 and 1984. Blackthorne Publishing released a three-issue run of 3-D comics from 1987 to 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palpatine</span> Fictional character and Star Wars antagonist

Sheev Palpatine is a character in the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. He first appeared in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back as The Emperor. He is also known by his Sith name, Darth Sidious, which was first used in the novelization of The Phantom Menace (1999). Palpatine is the main antagonist of the three film trilogies in the Skywalker Saga. In the original trilogy, he is the Emperor of the Galactic Empire and the mentor of Darth Vader, formerly known as Anakin Skywalker. The prequel trilogy chronicles his rise from senator to emperor. He orchestrates the invasion of his home planet Naboo in a plot to become Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, then masterminds the Clone Wars to turn the Republic into the Empire. He destroys the Jedi Order and manipulates Anakin into becoming his apprentice. In The Rise of Skywalker (2019), the final film in the sequel trilogy, a resurrected Palpatine reveals that he is the grandfather of the main protagonist Rey, and that he created Snoke to lead the First Order. Palpatine is portrayed by Ian McDiarmid in all five Skywalker Saga films in which he physically appears.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darth Maul</span> Star Wars character

Darth Maul, later known simply as Maul, is a character in the Star Wars franchise. He first appeared in the 1999 film Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace as a powerful Sith Lord and Darth Sidious' first apprentice. Though seemingly killed by Obi-Wan Kenobi at the end of the film, Darth Maul returned in the 2008 animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Star Wars creator George Lucas had intended for the resurrected Maul to serve as the main antagonist of the sequel film trilogy, but these plans were abandoned when Disney acquired Lucasfilm in 2012. The character nonetheless reappeared in the 2014 animated series Star Wars Rebels and the 2018 film Solo: A Star Wars Story, voiced again by Witwer; Park physically reprised the role in Solo. Since his initial defeat in The Phantom Menace, Maul has become an independent criminal mastermind and endured as Obi-Wan's archenemy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clone trooper</span> Fictional class of soldiers in the Star Wars series

Clone troopers are fictional characters from the Star Wars franchise created by George Lucas. First introduced in the live-action film Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002), they have since appeared in various other Star Wars media, including Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) and the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels (2014–2018), Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2021–2024), and Tales of the Jedi (2022–present) as well as comics, novels, and video games set in both the Star Wars Legends expanded universe and the current canon.

Star Wars has been expanded to media other than the original films. This spin-off material is licensed and moderated by Lucasfilm, though during his involvement with the franchise Star Wars creator George Lucas reserved the right to both draw from and contradict it in his own works. Such derivative works have been produced concurrently with, between, and after the original, prequel, and sequel trilogies, as well as the spin-off films and television series. Commonly explored Star Wars media include books, comic books, and video games, though other forms such as audio dramas have also been produced.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Padmé Amidala</span> Fictional character in the Star Wars franchise

Padmé Amidala is a character in the Star Wars franchise. She first appears in The Phantom Menace (1999) as the teenage queen of the fictional planet Naboo. After her reign, she becomes a member of the Galactic Senate. She secretly marries Anakin Skywalker, a Jedi Knight, and later dies while giving birth to the twins Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa. Anakin's fear of losing Padmé drives him toward the dark side of the Force, which eventually results in his transformation into Darth Vader. Natalie Portman portrays Padmé in all three films of the prequel trilogy. Catherine Taber, Grey DeLisle and Montana Norberg provide the character's voice in animated productions and video games.

"Journey to Star Wars" is a Disney/Lucasfilm publishing initiative that connects the Star Wars sequel films with previous film installments in the franchise. It currently includes the initiatives "Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens", and "Journey to Star Wars: The Last Jedi", and "Journey to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker". All titles under the program are canonical to the Star Wars universe.

<i>Star Wars</i> (1977 comic book) Comic book series

Star Wars is a comic book series published by Marvel Comics from April 12, 1977 to May 27, 1986. Featuring classic Star Wars characters Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, and R2-D2, the first six issues adapt the May 1977 film Star Wars. The series chronicled their subsequent adventures for 107 issues and three annuals, including a six-issue adaptation of the 1980 sequel film The Empire Strikes Back in 1980–1981. In 2019, the series was revived for a single issue.

References

  1. ↑ Ryder Windham. Books & Authors. Retrieved January 23, 2011, from http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=168715
  2. 1 2 3 Lucasfilm. 7 Questions with...Ryder Windham. Authors/Illustrators.Retrieved January 26, 2011, from http://us.dk.com/static/cs/us/11/starwars/ryder.html
  3. ↑ "Ryder Windham | Penguin Random House". PenguinRandomhouse.com. Retrieved 2022-08-05.
  4. ↑ Lucasfilm. Star Wars Year By Year A Visual Chronicle. DK Canada. Retrieved January 31, 2011, from http://cn.dk.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780756657642,00.html
  5. ↑ Buy Secret Missions: Book 1: Breakout Squad (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) Book Online at Low Prices in India | Secret Missions: Book 1: Breakout Squad (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) Reviews & Ratings - Amazon.in. ASIN   0448450356.
  6. ↑ Buy The Curse of the Black Hole Pirates #2 (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) Book Online at Low Prices in India | The Curse of the Black Hole Pirates #2 (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) Reviews & Ratings - Amazon.in. ASIN   0448453932.
  7. ↑ Star Wars Missions: Assault on Yavin Four (Missions #1): Windham Ryder: Amazon.in: Books. ASIN   0590127934.
  8. ↑ "Destroy the Liquidator (Star Wars Missions, #4)". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  9. ↑ "Revolt of the Battle Droids (Star Wars Missions, #9)". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  10. ↑ "Search for the Lost Jedi (Star Wars: Episode I Adventur…". Goodreads. Retrieved 2024-01-02.
  11. ↑ Windham, Ryder (1999-01-01). The Bartokk Assassins. Scholastic. ISBN   978-0-439-12985-5.
  12. ↑ Rescue in the Core (Star Wars Episode 1 Adventures Game Book, #9): Amazon.in: Books. ASIN   0439174910.
  13. ↑ "Childrens's Best Sellers: November 13, 2005". The New York Times . November 13, 2005. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
  14. ↑ "Childrens's Best Sellers: December 18, 2005". The New York Times . December 18, 2005. Retrieved 15 February 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.