Tarkin's Top Shelf

Tarkin's Top Shelf

A Star Wars literary podcast that strives to deliver an educational and yet, entertaining analysis and outlook, pertaining to the new canonical novels/YA books from the galaxy far, far away. In other words, Becca and Mark are your guardians to the Whills and your librarians to the long-lost Jedi Archives.

Episodes

March 18, 2026 48 mins
A new Maul trailer is out, and Tarkin's Top Shelf is ready to dive in. Get ready as your hosts break down the latest Maul: Shadow Lord trailer. It's a 'New Age of Maul,' but revenge is still the main theme. Before that, Mark and Becca cover the news, including JJ Abrams on Hux, Pedro Pascal talking about 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' movie, and Grogu's appearance at the Oscars.

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Tarkin's Top Shelf returns with another bookish episode. Your hosts discuss a recent iO9 article on the next chapter in the 'Reign of the Empire' series, 'Edge of the Abyss' by Rebecca Roanhorse. They also cover the latest Empire Magazine interviews about 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' movie. 
 

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Tarkin's Top Shelf returns with another fun episode. The hosts talk about the first issue of 'Shadows of Maul: Broken Law,' which is a prequel to the animated series 'Maul: Shadow Lord' coming to Disney+ on April 6th. They also discuss the newest 'Mandalorian and Grogu' interviews from Empire Magazine. Before that, they share some news and give a few shoutouts.
 

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Kristin Baver sits down with Mark and Becca to discuss her work on 'The Art of Star Wars: The Acolyte.' This episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf welcomes back the author and editor-in-chief of StarWars.com to explore her latest project for Abrams Books. Before diving in, the trio chats about Harrison Ford's Life Achievement Award, the Skeleton Crew Emmy win, and a new Star Wars book by a close friend of Kristin's.
 

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Tarkin's Top Shelf returns with a new episode. Mark and Becca talk about Sam Witwer's Star Wars Insider interview, which The Holo Files found, where he discusses "how much Maul has changed" in the upcoming series 'Maul Shadow Lord,' set to premiere on Disney+ on April 6th. Before that, the hosts cover news about 'Starfighter,' Ryan Gosling, Shawn Levy, and the VES awards.
 

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Tarkin's Top Shelf is excited to have author Mike Chen back on the show to talk about Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon. In this episode, the hosts chat with Mike about how the book came together and how it fits into the larger Star Wars story. Before diving in, Mark and Becca catch up with Mike and share their excitement for the new animated series, Maul: Shadow Lord.
 

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Tarkin's Top Shelf is back with another fun episode! Your hosts jump in with the latest Star Wars news: Anthony Daniels celebrates his 80th birthday, Tony Gilroy speaks with The Hollywood Reporter about Dave Filoni rumors and the future of Lucasfilm, and a new 5-shot comic series to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Star Wars: Rogue One. After that, Mark and Becca tackle some 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' trailer footage, tha...

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Star Wars returns to the big screen with 'The Mandalorian and Grogu' on May 22nd, 2026! In this episode, your hosts discuss the newest trailer for  'The Mandalorian and Grogu.' But first, Mark and Becca talk about the controversial Super Bowl TV spot and the first issue of the 'Jar Jar' comic series from Marvel Comics.
 

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Tarkin's Top Shelf returns with another fun episode. This time, your hosts review Star Wars Outlaws: Low Red Moon by Mike Chen. Mark and Becca start with the latest Star Wars news, then jump into an open discussion about 'Low Red Moon': character arcs, world-building, and cameos.
 

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There's more Star Wars on the way, and Tarkin's Top Shelf is ready to break down what we know so far. In this episode, the hosts cover the latest Star Wars news: Taika Waititi shares his thoughts on bringing back the fun of the original trilogy, Daisy Ridley promises the "New Jedi Order" movie will be "worth the wait," Rian Johnson looks forward to new voices and filmmakers joining Star Wars, Nina Gold's feature film casting c...

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Tarkin's Top Shelf teams up with Idiot's Array Podcast for a roundtable discussion about the Maul: Shadow Lord trailer. The hosts, joined by Alan Zaugg from Idiot's Array, talk about their thoughts, hopes, and possible story themes for the upcoming series, Maul: Shadow Lord, which premieres on Disney+ on April 6th, 2026.
 

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January 21, 2026 50 mins
Holy Sith! Star Wars just announced that the official teaser trailer for 'Maul: Shadow Lord' is coming out tomorrow. Tarkin's Top Shelf is back to cover the latest Star Wars news, updates, and surprises. In this episode, Mark and Becca discuss the 'Shadow Lord' trailer announcement, the release of 'The Art of Star Wars: The Acolyte,' 'Low Red Moon,' an Ahsoka and Murley still from Season 1, Eman Esfandi at GalaxyCon, and t...

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Tarkin's Top Shelf returns with a new episode! Lucasfilm has officially named Dave Filoni and Lynwen Brennan as the new Co-Presidents, taking over from Kathleen Kennedy. Mark and Becca discuss this big news and what it could mean for Star Wars. They also share updates about Ahsoka Season 2.
 

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Tarkin's Top Shelf returns with a new episode. This time, your hosts talk about the latest Star Wars news and upcoming projects in film, live-action, and animation. Mark and Becca also discuss the current Star Wars rumor that has been spreading like wildfire on fan sites.
 

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Tarkin's Top Shelf starts the New Year with a discussion about the Force. The hosts are joined by Erik Pflueger, illustrator and creator of "Hollywood Babble-On: The Coloring Book" and cover artist for "Quick Stops." Erik talks about how Star Wars and the Mortis Arc from The Clone Wars have shaped his latest art project. The episode explores the origins of the cosmic and living Force and looks at where Lucas found inspiratio...
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    Happy New Year! In this episode, Tarkin's Top Shelf says goodbye to Star Wars 2025 and welcomes 2026. Mark and Becca start with the latest Star Wars news, then look back at everything that happened over the past year. To wrap up their final episode of 2025, they share their hopes for Star Wars in 2026. "The belonging you seek is not behind you. It is ahead!"
     

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    December 17, 2025 71 mins
    Tarkin's Top Shelf is excited to have Dr. Chris Kempshall back on the show, thanks to a listener request. In this episode, the hosts talk with Dr. Kempshall about ANDOR, focusing on his expertise in transnational experiences of warfare and how history is shown in modern media. Before that, they cover the latest updates on Daisy Ridley and the new Rey film.
     

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    In this episode of Tarkin's Top Shelf, the hosts talk about the 'Shadow Council,' its founding members, and where they might be in The Mandalorian and Grogu movie. Becca and Mark focus on one big question: where is Grand Admiral Rae Sloane, and is she okay? Before diving in, they cover the latest Star Wars news.
     

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    Tarkin's Top Shelf is marking the podcast's 10th anniversary and celebrating 10 years since the release of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. In this episode, the hosts look back at their very first show, where they reviewed the Star Wars: The Force Awakens novel, the Star Wars: Before the Awakening young adult novel, and the movie that brought the Star Wars community back together: The Force Awakens. Before that, they share the la...

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    Tarkin's Top Shelf brings back author Matthew Stover and Random House Worlds Senior Editor Tom Hoeler to discuss the Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith 20th Anniversary Deluxe Edition. This episode centers on the anniversary edition's creative process, enduring legacy, and ongoing influence on Star Wars literature.
     

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