…we journey back to our favourite ‘Galaxy far, far away’ in honour of that recent announcement by taking a sideways look at Lucas’ universe: just what was George’s original plan for Episodes VII-IX? Was there ever really one? What actually became of your favourite characters after Return of the Jedi? Wait, when the hell did Darth Vadar ever fight Boba Fett? How much is that Blue Snaggletooth worth that you swapped for a bag of Monster Munch in 1978? And isn’t it time you gave those Ewok movies another chance? Find out the answers to all of these and more – including what Starburst really thought of The Empire Strikes Back when it was first reviewed by the legendary John Brosnan in 1980 - in our new Star Wars special!<br>

ALSO: Our guide to the Tarantino-verse / The concluding part of Hammer and the Stake / Interviews with Zombie Flesh Eaters and Survivors star Ian McCulloch + celebrated horror writer Darren Shan, author of the ZOM-B series / Prime Cuts: The Revenge of the BBFC / Beauty and the Beast rebooted / Find out how Twilight: Breaking Dawn Part II fared in the Starburst Top 40 Movies of 2012! (Spoiler: It didn’t.) / PLUS: all your favourite columns, news, reviews and much more from the world of sci-fi, horror & fantasy…

…we pay tribute to the legacy of the late great Gerry Anderson, with our comprehensive look back through a career that introduced the world to such seminal shows as Thunderbirds, Captain Scarlet, Stingray, Space: 1999, U.F.O. and Terrahawks. / + In a fascinating Flashback to 1979, Gerry Anderson talks to Starburst for the very first time…<br>



ALSO: In anticipation of Dexter Morgan’s imminent return to UK screens, we cast our eye over the story so far, preview what’s to come and bring you up to speed on three more rival serial killer shows heading our way, Bates Motel, Hannibal and The Following / Mario Bava Retrospective / The world of Wreck-it Ralph / Exclusive interviews with comic-book legend Terry Moore, creator of Strangers in Paradise + veteran actor Ian Ogilvy + Vince Cosmos creator Paul Magrs + prolific genre writer Dan Abnett (The Horus Heresy, Guardians of the Galaxy, The New Deadwardians and more) + Steven Hall, writer of the eagerly-awaited Crysis 3.

…Starburst dares to delve into the legacy of the Evil Dead franchise and is possessed by the Necronomicon Ex-Mortis as a result! Awaiting you beyond our exclusive Book of the Dead wrap-around cover you’ll find everything you ever wanted to know about Sam Raimi’s enduring horror franchise - from its humble origins, the innumerable comic book and videogame spin-offs, right up to the nervously anticipated remake. Jooooin us…<br>

ALSO: The original ‘action figure’ himself, G.I. Joe gets the retrospective treatment in time for his second cinematic outing; Demons Within begins our exhaustive history of Exorcism in the Movies; and we go behind the scenes to talk with the crew of Angels & Airwaves’ acclaimed sci-fi drama, Love. Also letting us bend their ears in brand new interviews are Charlie Brooker (on Black Mirror, his career and more), Before Dawn’s Dominic Brunt, Doctor Who’s Chris Chibnall and Sinister director Scott Derrickson.