It felt like an incredibly long wait, but finally, a couple of weeks ago, I got to see the new Star Wars film. Actually, it emerged onto my chosen digital media platform about four months after it graced the cinema screens, so whilst it felt like the anticipation went on forever, that window is thankfully getting smaller. I managed to avoid all but the most obvious spoilers - and for the most part they were things that only made sense after you’d seen the film anyway. (There are no spoilers in this post, btw.)

Naturally, I’ve seen it one or more times since that first occasion, and I love it. I’ve been a Star Wars fan for about a year, and I can categorically state that a) I’m obsessed and b) I’m now even more obsessed.

I always have a slight hesitancy about talking about it though, because as a new fan, I hate to be one of those people. You know, when you’ve liked something for soooooo long and then someone else comes along and is all “Isn’t it so good? This bit, and this bit, and this bit?” And you’re like… yea, twenty years ago.

You don’t tend to take to them kindly, really. And I know I’m being that person but I can’t help it. I came to Star Wars late, and I love it, and the rest will just have to fall into place.

The fact that I was somewhat tardy in my arrival to Star Wars fandom had me in two minds. At first, I thought it was a shame I hadn’t had more years to watch the films over and over, to indulge in the books and comics and great things that came from the series. Now, of course, things have changed. Disney have wiped the slate relatively clean so that only the films, the TV series, and newer books and comics are canon. In that case, I’m incredibly grateful to have arrived at the franchise when I did - just early enough to get a good grounding in the first six films, but not so early as to get carried away with expanded universe stuff that was only going to get cast aside.

Now that I’m up to speed again, and can start reading things that have the word Star Wars on, I’m looking for more. I’ve spotted an amazing visual dictionary or two on Amazon and am keen to investigate the comics as part of my limited introduction into that world as well.

This incredibly handy list of what is canon these days will be my guide.