The Force Unleashed is the hardcover novel version of the Star Wars: The Force Unleashed multimedia project, announced in the March 2007 issue of Game Informer. Along with the novel, there is also a graphic novel and a webstrip. All these feature Darth Vader and his secret apprentice in events between Episodes III and IV. The paperback version was released on August 25, 2009 and contained an excerpt of Death Troopers.