The official Star Wars site has unveiled the first look at the cover artwork for the upcoming novel, Star Wars: Darth Plagueis by James Luceno. See full cover art by clicking image here above.

The long-awaited novel (that was actually canceled at one stage) focuses on the Sith Lord who was the Master of Palpatine, the apprentice who would become the Emperor.

Plagueis was first mentioned in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, when Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) recounts the “tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise” to Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen). The novel is anticipated to expand on Palpatine’s apprenticeship to Plagueis when he was dubbed Darth Sidious.

For those who celebrate Wookiee Life Day as opposed to all of the other end-of-year holidays, we have a treat for you… the Star Wars Holiday Special in 5 minutes, specially edited to only focus on the “live-action” stuff. Watch it here below.

If you haven’t seen the Holiday Special before, it’s certainly a gem from its time. If you thought Expanded Universe debates and Originals vs. Prequels debates turn out to divide fans, wait until you get in the middle of an argument about this thing.

Complete with Bea Arthur and Jefferson Starship, The Star Wars Holiday Special first aired in November 1978 and also featured Han and Chewie, Luke Skywalker with the WORST possible haircut ever, and Princess Leia singing a song that is sure to induce brain hemorrhages.

The original full special also marked a few firsts: one of which was the very first appearance of Boba Fett (before his debut in The Empire Strikes Back) in a short animated story involving Luke, Han, Chewie, the Droids, and some weird beast of burden Fett rides.