A More Civilized Age: A Star Wars Podcast

Latest Episodes:

135: Darth Vader (2015): Vol. 2 — Shadows and Secrets Jun 11, 2026

Show notes

We will, eventually, get to the second set of Vader comics. But first, the gang imagines how they're going to react to The Mandalorian and Grogu. Because of course our patrons have already heard our reaction! Then they discuss how Vader has to sabotage yet another investigation into his own treachery, and Dr. Aphra's character arc as well as her academic credentials.

Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social)

Featuring Alicia Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social), and Natalie Watson (nataliewatson.bsky.social)

Produced by Michael Hermes

Music by Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social

Cover art by Xeecee (xeecee.bsky.social)

134: Darth Vader (2015): Vol. 1: Vader May 27, 2026

Show notes

Today we begin a journey into the Dark Side as we begin our reading of Marvel's 2015's Darth Vader comic, Written by Kieron Gillen with art by Salvador Larroca! It has a high reputation, not least of which is due to its introduction of the beloved character Doctor Aphra, but can it do what so few attempts to fill in the blank spaces of the films pull off and actually be good on its own merits Let's find out together!

Next Time: Book II: Shadows and Secrets (Vader (2015) issues 7-12)

Show Notes

Catherine Zeta-Jones Laser Scene in Entrapment

Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social)

Featuring Alicia Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social), and Natalie Watson (nataliewatson.bsky.social)

Produced by Michael Hermes

Music by Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social

Cover art by Xeecee (xeecee.bsky.social)

133: Return of the Jedi (4k83) Pt. 2 May 13, 2026

Show notes

We come at last to the grand finale of the original Star Wars trilogy, and it, too, is haunted by the past. Once again, in space, a one time scoundrel must trust his gut and swoop down to the pits of a cataclysmic, moon-sized weapon to save the day. Once again, aboard that station, a Jedi must come to the realization that striking down his opponent is not the path to real power. And once again, on a small world below, a rag-tag group Rebels from across the galaxy can do nothing but watch and hope as... wait, sorry, I'm taking another look. What are those little furry guys. They didn't have those at Yavin, I'll tell you that much. Seems like a group of difference makers if I've ever met one.

Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized!

NEXT TIME: Marvel Comic's Darth Vader (2015) Issues 1-6

Show Notes

The Vader Yule Log 'Weesa Free' Moment

Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social)

Featuring Alicia Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social), and Natalie Watson (nataliewatson.bsky.social)

Produced by Michael Hermes

Music by Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social

Cover art by Xeecee (xeecee.bsky.social)

132: Return of the Jedi (4k83) Pt. 1 Apr 29, 2026

Show notes

Return of the Jedi is a haunted movie. It is haunted most obviously by the ghosts of the past films: droids walking across desert wastes, fateful holograms delivered in desperation, deflector shield substations, robotic hands, and a Death Star hanging above the world. But it is also haunted by the future of the franchise: further reliance on ambitious CGI, a subtle sanding down in humor and character, dozens of little creatures whose names are never said but whose identity marketing has taught you before you ever see the text start rolling across the screen.

Star Wars, as we know it, has arrived.

Show Notes

Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas - Outtakes

Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social)

Featuring Alicia Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social), and Natalie Watson (nataliewatson.bsky.social)

Produced by Michael Hermes

Music by Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social

Cover art by Xeecee (xeecee.bsky.social)

131: The Empire Strikes Back (4k80) Pt. 2 Apr 15, 2026

Show notes

The heroes of the rebellion have fled Hoth and found themselves in new environs unlike any we've seen in Star Wars before. Bespin's Cloud City is the first real metropolis in the series, and while Yavin was covered in trees, it was nothing like the damp swamps of Dagobah, home to creepy crawlies of all sorts. As our heroes meet their respective contacts, one has to wonder, which of these new worlds is home to the more trustworthy sort of person?

Trick question. You can't trust either of these motherfuckers.

Show Notes

Episode 1 Yoda Comparison Video

How the Famous 'I Love You/I Know' Scene From 'The Empire Strikes Back' Really Came Together

Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social)

Featuring Alicia Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social), and Natalie Watson (nataliewatson.bsky.social)

Produced by Michael Hermes

Music by Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social

Cover art by Xeecee (xeecee.bsky.social)

130: The Empire Strikes Back (4k80) Pt. 1 Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

Three years after Luke turned off his targeting computer, Star Wars returns. Indeed, one might even ask "Is The Empire Strikes Back the actual 'start' of what we know as Star Wars?" Maybe! It's here that Star Wars begins to take the shape of a franchise (without any of the bloat yet), Industrial Light & Magic performs even greater special effects miracles, and the story begins to effortlessly blend fairy tale and melodrama. Plus, we get to see the original little green freak in his natural habitat.

NEXT TIME: The Back Half of Empire Strikes Back

Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized!

Show Notes

Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social)

Featuring Alicia Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social), and Natalie Watson (nataliewatson.bsky.social)

Produced by Michael Hermes

Music by Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social

Cover art by Xeecee (xeecee.bsky.social)

129: Star Wars (4k77 Version) Pt. 2 Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

We return with the back half of a little movie called Star Wars.

We can finally talk about some of the most foundational moments in the franchise. The very first lightsaber duel--and its relationship to a little tv show called Obi-Wan Kenobi. The series' three protagonists finally sharing screen time. The Death Star trench run and its relationship to the Force and Technology.

But we also get to talk about some of the stuff that gets lost along the way. Like about just how funny Star Wars has always been. How the Empire is already a bit of a send-up of bureaucrat sci-fi baddies. And how whether Lucas knew the particularities of their history or not, Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi show up with enough ambiguity and depth to carry years and years of storytelling to come.

Show Notes

George Lucas: The Wizard of 'Star Wars' | Rolling Stone

REBEL SCANNERS: Preserving Star Wars (with Rob of TEAM NEGATIVE 1)

Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social)

Featuring Alicia Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social), and Natalie Watson (nataliewatson.bsky.social)

Produced by Austin Walker

Music by Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social

Cover art by Xeecee (xeecee.bsky.social)

128: Star Wars (4k77 Version) Pt. 1 Mar 05, 2026

Show notes

A long time ago in a galaxy, far far away... there was a spaceship with a princess and a pair of droids and a malevolence dressed in black. There was a desert world with two suns and a farm boy whose only chance at escaping the planet's gravity was a wizard who lived out in the hills and couple of smugglers looking for a big payday. And there was something grey--aggressively grey--a sphere in the darkness of space, blocking out the stars, lighting up envy green, and insisting on its own place in the orbits of galactic lives.

Today we talk about Star Wars.

Show Notes

Star Wars Version Comparison

Luke and Biggs Deleted Scenes

Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social)

Featuring Alicia Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social), and Natalie Watson (nataliewatson.bsky.social)

Produced by Austin Walker

Music by Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social

Cover art by Xeecee (xeecee.bsky.social)

127: Revenge of the Sith (Novel) Pt. 3 Feb 13, 2026

Show notes

We've come to the end of Matt Stover's (p)re-telling of Revenge of the Sith, and it has raised a lot more questions than it answered (which isn't, necessarily, a bad thing). Questions like: "Why does Anakin say things like that?" and "How do I know that's a baby?" and, maybe most importantly, "Padme who?"

NEXT TIME: STAR WARS

Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized!

Show Notes

Four Reasons Yoda Failed as a CEO

Common Cyborg

Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social)

Featuring Alicia Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social), and Natalie Watson (nataliewatson.bsky.social)

Produced by Austin Walker

Music by Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social

Cover art by Xeecee (xeecee.bsky.social)

126: Revenge of the Sith (Novel) Pt. 2 Jan 28, 2026

Show notes

We return to the final days of the old Republic. But not the Old Republic. That's different, now, that's like... an even older time before all this. Anyway, the Battle of Coruscant has concluded and its heroes, Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi can finally come home for a little rest. And a little scheming. And a little paranoia. The Jedi Council members spin their wheels despite having all the clues. Palpatine spins the world around his finger. And Padme, Anakin's Wife (remember this), is also there.

Next Time: The Rest of the Book

Show Notes

Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social)

Featuring Alicia Acampora (ali-online.bsky.social), Austin Walker (austinwalker.bsky.social), and Natalie Watson (nataliewatson.bsky.social)

Produced by Austin Walker

Music by Jack de Quidt (notquitereal.bsky.social

Cover art by Xeecee (xeecee.bsky.social)