Home Podcasts A More Civilized Age: A Star Wars Podcast
A More Civilized Age: A Star Wars Podcast

A More Civilized Age: A Star Wars Podcast

A More Civilized Age 144 Episodes Sep 9, 2026

Rob Zacny, Natalie Watson, Ali Acampora, and Austin Walker host this Star Wars podcast that examines the fall of the Galactic Republic. They analyze the animated series The Clone Wars, discuss the politics and themes of the story, and humorously debate which Jedi is the messiest. The show invites listener questions for Patreon Q&A segments, and the hosts encourage listeners to email them for future episodes.

Episodes

141: Star Wars / Doctor Aphra: The Screaming Citadel
141: Star Wars / Doctor Aphra: The Screaming Citadel Sep 9, 2026 01:43:05 What if Doctor Aphra had to team up with Luke Skywalker and they both had to dress good as hell? And what if they had to go to a gothic planet run by sexy vampiric queen and her coterie of stylish and evil thralls? And what if two of the most interesting parts of the last arc of Aphra was here, too? Sounds pretty cool, huh? Well, what if I told you that a premise this fun hasn't been undercut by t
140: Doctor Aphra Vol. 1 — Aphra
140: Doctor Aphra Vol. 1 — Aphra Aug 27, 2026 02:09:32 It's time to answer the question we've had for months: Does Aphra really have a doctorate, and if so, what type of doctor is she, really? In this episode, we learn a lot about her history, both academic and otherwise.  Next time: Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel (trade paperback) Support the show by going to Patreon.com/civilized! Show Notes   Hosted by Rob Zacny (robzacny.bsky.social) Featurin
139: Star Wars: Zero Company Preview
139: Star Wars: Zero Company Preview Aug 11, 2026 02:25:23 Pivot! We'll be back in two weeks with Part 1 of our Aphra coverage, but today we'll delve into our early hours with Bit Reactor's Star Wars: Zero Company. It's seemingly an excellent debut for the studio, marred only by the sale of EA to Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund and a pair of private equity company's, including one run by Trump son-in-law and general ghoul Jared Kushner.  Enjoy us t
138: Darth Vader Vol. 4 — End of Games
138: Darth Vader Vol. 4 — End of Games Jul 22, 2026 02:30:49 This week we wrap up the 2015 run of Star Wars: Darth Vader! With the ore barons of Shu-Torun leashed and Cylo drawn out as a traitor, Darth Vader can finally address what really matters: Locating the missing Doctor Aphra, facing whatever truths Inspector Thanoth has found, and telling the Emperor that his manipulations are all too obvious.  Next Time: Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 1 — Aphra (Docto
137: Darth Vader Vol. 3 — The Shu-Torun War
137: Darth Vader Vol. 3 — The Shu-Torun War Jul 8, 2026 02:13:26 This week, we have escaped from the gravity of of the comic book crossover  and returned back to the day-in-the-life tale of Darth Vader. Still hurting from the Death Star's destruction, the Empire badly needs ore to build back its strength. One key supplier: The world of Shu-Torun, a lava filled, mineral rich world of ore dukes, magma submarines, and mining citadels. The only problem is, this wor
136: Darth Vader (2015): Vader Down
136: Darth Vader (2015): Vader Down Jun 24, 2026 01:48:25 Our dip into the mid 2010s Marvel Comics Star Wars universe continues, and this time, we've got a bona fide crossover event! "Vader Down" jumps between issues of Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca's Darth Vader (which we've been reading for the past few eps) AND Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato Jr's Star Wars. Which means we've got an extended stay with the comics version of Han, Luke, and Leia. Can t
135: Darth Vader (2015): Vol. 2 — Shadows and Secrets
135: Darth Vader (2015): Vol. 2 — Shadows and Secrets Jun 11, 2026 02:19:21 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.
134: Darth Vader (2015): Vol. 1: Vader
134: Darth Vader (2015): Vol. 1: Vader May 27, 2026 02:29:28 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
133: Return of the Jedi (4k83) Pt. 2
133: Return of the Jedi (4k83) Pt. 2 May 13, 2026 03:14:33 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
132: Return of the Jedi (4k83) Pt. 1
132: Return of the Jedi (4k83) Pt. 1 Apr 29, 2026 02:40:57 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 chara
131: The Empire Strikes Back (4k80) Pt. 2
131: The Empire Strikes Back (4k80) Pt. 2 Apr 15, 2026 02:38:37 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 world
130: The Empire Strikes Back (4k80) Pt. 1
130: The Empire Strikes Back (4k80) Pt. 1 Apr 2, 2026 03:03:42 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 blen

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