Star Wars Gateway Horror: What to Show Your Horror-Loving Kids in a Galaxy Far, Far Away
Drew Tinnin
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The Book of Boba Fett is now upon us and, as of late, it’s really turning into something special. Inevitably, Star Wars is again front and center in the cultural zeitgeist. With Robert Rodriguez (From Dusk Til Dawn, Planet Terror) at the series’ helm, it’s not unlikely that some terrifying surprises might be in store. We’ve already seen an homage to legendary visual effects pioneer Ray Harryhausen in Chapter 1 in the form of a six-limbed mythical sand creature called the “behemoth”.
Knowing Rodriguez and the creative team of Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, plenty more horror fantasy touches should emerge when the Disney+ series wraps up next week. (If you’ve watched Clone Wars with the family, one of the scariest characters in the galaxy just made a jaw-dropping appearance in Chapter 6: From the Desert Comes a Stranger.)
Granted, the obvious starting point into the vast Star Wars canon should be the original trilogy. But what if you’re a parent that’s a horror fan first and then a Star Wars fan? If you can help it, Darth Maul in the prequels shouldn’t be the first thing that scares your child. Imagine a world where you could curate a guide of Star Wars that goes beyond the summer blockbusters and digs a little deeper?
Here’s a quick guide for parents who want to expose their kids to the scarier side of the galaxy. I’ve highlighted moments from some of the latest animated series, Star Wars comics, and children’s books to aid you on your journey. My nieces and nephews have all approved this list, by the way. Their ages range from four to thirteen so there shouldn’t be anything here that will keep your little ones up at night.
Just a Few of the Horror References Found in LEGO Star Wars Terrifying Tales
LEGO Star Wars: Terrifying Tales is a fun-spirited anthology that sprung up last Halloween. All of the stories interweave wonderfully with each other and feature some surprisingly clever horror references. The standout is “The Lost Boy” with obvious nods to the late Joel Schumacher’s teen vampire classic starring Corey Haim. And of course, it has a nod to everyone’s favorite pet puppy, Nanook. Kids should love this gothic-inspired entry point into Star Wars lore. Parents should also have fun pointing out all of the ’80s horror Easter eggs. My favorite fact is hearing Christian Slater as the voice of Ren, a subtle nod to his character Andy in the classic horror anthology Tales From the Darkside.
The Horror-centric episodes in Star Wars: Visions
When Star Wars: Visions hit the streamer recently, I was shocked at the sheer amount of ghostly imagery on display. Allowing animators from around the world to run free in the Star Wars universe was something the brand desperately needed.
Three episodes, in particular, stand out from the bunch if you’re a horror fan. The Ninth Jedi takes place in the wilds of the Outer Rim where a sinister group of the Sith tries to stop a ruler named Margrave Juro from reforging ancient lightsabers. There’s a dark shroud around this entire episode but it’s never too scary for younglings to enjoy.
The Elder shoots right to the top of the creep factor with an elderly character who may or may not be a Sith, even though they’ve supposedly been completely wiped out. The old man brandishes two red sabers that dart in and out of the frame during one of the most horrific fights in the entire Visions series.
Finally, Akakiri shows how a heroic young Jedi can fall victim to the dark side. This was my nephew’s favorite story, mostly due to the fact that it’s animated by Science SARU, the same studio that made DEVILMAN Crybaby.
Horror Comics! Star Wars Adventures: Ghosts of Vader’s Castle Needs to Be in Every Kid’s Pull List
Did you buy a bunch of Star Wars toys only to find that your child actually prefers Ninjago, instead? This needs to be remedied. Take action!
The five-issue run of Star Wars Adventures: Ghosts of Vader’s Castle features zombie droids and ghosts lurking around Vader’s castle on Mustafar. In my favorite issue Danger on Dagobah, the third installment pays homage to the OG Swamp Thing when a gilled monster attacks our new heroes on Yoda’s sanctuary planet, Dagobah.
The creature in Danger on Dagobah also respects the legacy of The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Robert Rodriguez has already shown his admiration for Harryhausen in The Book of Boba Fett, so don’t be surprised if he mines this comic if and when Boba ever travels to Dagobah.
If you’re looking for some off-the-wall Star Wars bonding, Star Wars Adventures: Ghosts of Vader’s Castle is perfect bedtime reading.
The Dark Lord Confronts His Own Fear in Star Wars Are You Scared, Darth Vader?
I love this bedtime story of Vader pretending not to be scared sooo much. It’s perfect for children that are just discovering Star Wars. Surprisingly, it works as a great wind down when you’re trying to get your horror-loving kids to bed on time. Is Vader scared of anything besides his unrelenting nightmares about Padmé, the love of his life? Yes, he totally is. In Adam Rex’s beautifully illustrated children’s book, the worst villain of all time is confronted by monsters, witches, and ghosts. It’s incredibly cute to know that Vader is secretly terrified behind the mask. If you’re a Vader acolyte, it also proves that he’s still the baddest around.
Star Wars: BB-8 on the Run Was Written By an Underground Horror Director
Yes, we share the same first name. Director Drew Daywalt originally made a name for himself with a film collective called FEWDIO that has made some of the most memorable short horror films in the last decade. The two-minute scares that put them on the map are just as chilling today. As an example, check out Bedfellows. In comparison, Star Wars: BB-8 on the Run isn’t quite as chilling. The story and artwork, however, are incredible! Plus, your kids will never know that the guy that wrote it is actually a horror director.
Any other Star Wars stories you’ve shown your kids? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram. Dread Central is now on Google News!
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