Death Troopers
A Star Wars horror novel featuring the Blackwing virus.
Death Troopers is a Star Wars novel written by Joe Schreiber, released on October 13, 2009. It is the first Star Wars horror story since the Galaxy of Fear series from the late 1990s, and was set just before the events shown in A New Hope.
Quick Facts
- Author
- Joe Schreiber
- Cover Artist
- Indika
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Series
- "Virus duology", preceded by Red Harvest
- Genre
- Science fiction novel / Horror novel
- Publisher
- Del Rey Books
- Pub Date
- October 13, 2009
- Media Type
- Print (Hardcover & Paperback)
- Pages
- 288 (first edition, hardback)
- Isbn
- 0-345-50962-5
- Isbn Note
- (first edition, hardback)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The four survivors sell the shuttle to a pirate group. Solo and Chewbacca leave to re-buy their impounded ship, while Cody and Trig use their share to visit a distant planet to deliver a note from a dead prison guard.
Reader's Guide
Death Troopers is significant as the first Star Wars horror novel in over a decade, blending the franchise with elements from horror movies like The Shining and Alien. Its release was heavily featured in the MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies, with a full page of information and advertisements in the book. The novel introduced the Blackwing virus, which later entered Disney Star Wars canon in 2012 via the game Star Wars Commander. A prequel novel, Red Harvest, was announced in 2010. Critical reception has been mixed to positive, with an 8/10 from Fantasy Book Reviews. The novel's legacy includes a 2009 update to Star Wars Galaxies and a 2024 fan game on Itch.io. It remains a notable crossover of horror and science fiction within the Star Wars expanded universe.
Did You Know?
- The novel inspired in-game events and items in the MMORPG Star Wars Galaxies, though the book itself did not contain a full page of information and advertisements for the game.
- The Blackwing virus from the novel was not officially added to Disney Star Wars canon; the claim that it was added via Star Wars Commander (released in 2014) is incorrect.
- A fan game based on the novel was released on Itch.io in 2024 by Stephano Cagani.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Death Troopers?
Death Troopers is a horror novel set within the Star Wars universe, written by Joe Schreiber and published on October 13, 2009. Its narrative takes place in the period immediately preceding the events depicted in A New Hope.
Why is Death Troopers significant in Star Wars publishing history?
It marked the first Star Wars horror novel since the Galaxy of Fear series wrapped up in the late 1990s. Its release effectively revived the horror subgenre within the franchise after a long gap.
What is the Blackwing virus in Death Troopers?
The Blackwing virus is the central horror threat that drives the novel's plot. It is the catastrophic biological element the characters must contend with throughout the story.
Which characters appear in Death Troopers?
The cast includes familiar figures Han Solo and Chewbacca alongside original characters such as Kale and Trig Longo, Jareth Sartoris, and Zahara Cody. These characters navigate the virus-driven horror at the heart of the novel.
How does Death Troopers connect to other Star Wars stories?
The story is set in the narrow window just before A New Hope, anchoring it in the prequel era. It also has a prequel novel titled Red Harvest, which was published in 2010.
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