Aliens! Aliens, aliens, aliens. Forget the laser swords and mystic powers and starships, my love of Star Wars was always tied first and foremost to the weird aliens. Boba Fett doesn’t hold a candle to Zuckuss or Bossk, because Boba Fett is just some guy in armor.

Galaxy Guide 4 (1989) is all about aliens. Many are seen in the backgrounds of the films, and we learn more about their cultures and histories. Many others are brand new, or were introduced in West End Games’ Star Wars modules. These are…uh…a mixed bag. There are some classics that would go on to see a lot of use in the expanded universe, like the Verpine, Ho’Din, Barabel and Defel. Some are weird and don’t feel super Star Warsy, like the Star Dragons. A bunch are just what if an animal, but bipedal, as with the squirrel people called Squibs and the rat people called Ranats. Some are just straight up doofy, like the Bilars, which basically look like shaved, vaguely threatening teddy bears.

Michael Manley is on art duty again and I dig it. Also, really love the cover painting, which is credited to Lucasfilm rather than artist Bill Selby. Aside of the cover of a 1983 issue of Famous Monsters, I’m not sure I’ve seen this painting surface anywhere else, which, once again, is a large part of the appeal of early WEG Star Wars books.