IamLam said:

One book had the emperor hobbling about and acting like he was a villain from some 80's cartoon show.

That comic wouldn't happen to be Empire's End, would it?

This was all years ago and some of it could have gotten better but I am pretty sure the back story and canon has gotten so silly and convoluted at this point that it was probably a good idea to wipe it clean.

I'm admittedly biased against the modern EU, so you don't have to take my word for it, but yes, it had become that silly and convoluted. Case in point: Boba Fett falling into and having to escape from the sarlacc twice.