Tuesday, April 30, 2024
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Star Wars novel Quest for Planet X introduces non-binary protagonist

Author Tessa Gratton has introduced a first for Star Wars in their new novel, Quest for Planet X – a non-binary protagonist.

The High Republic: Quest for Planet X is a Star Wars novel that follows Dass Leffbruk and Sky Graf. The two recruit Jedi padawan Rooper Nitani in their search to find the mysterious and legendary Planet X. However, as adventures often do, the heroes’ quest to find this planet takes an unexpected turn, forcing them to put their goals aside to help the Jedi before it’s too late.

Sky Graf, one of the novel’s main protagonists, is a member of the prestigious Graf family, and a pilot, determined to use their skills to be the first person to get to Planet X. Why? Because their father got lost while trying to look for it, and they’ll do anything to bring him back home. Graf also happens to be non-binary, and an overall tech genius.

What makes Graf’s portrayal stand out in comparison to other non-binary characters that have appeared in Star Wars before is one, they’re a protagonist, and two, the thoughtful portrayal of binders and body image, the former (binders) being yet another first to be included in Star Wars.

In an extract received from Star Wars Queer Watch, Sky muses about the time when their father had purchased their very first binder. “Dad had gotten them their first chest binder when they were twelve, because they’d had a panic attack while getting dressed and managed to gasp out that there was something wrong with how they fit in Helis’s old pilot vest.”

Further, Sky mentions how their Dad also explained to them that people made vests and simulators for different bodies and helped Sky find the right one for them.

The High Republic: Quest for Planet X is available to buy from any book vendor or store.

To learn more about queer Star Wars content, look through our tag here.

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