#non-force users

Happy (?) Clone Wars Friday! (Why do I say happy? It never is!)

The three Star Wars trilogies parallel in each other in interesting and not-so-interesting ways. One of the less obvious parallels is that a never-before-seen but beloved minor character dies at the beginning of each “dark middle chapter.” Padme’s decoy Corde dies at the beginning of Attack of the Clones; Luke’s gunner Dak dies at the beginning of Empire Strikes Back; and Rose’s sister Paige dies at the beginning of The Last Jedi. These deaths accomplish two things: they set a grim tone after the victorious finale of the previous film, and they establish a main character’s emotional investment in the war.

Both Dak and Paige die in battle, but Corde is assassinated just outside the Senate. Though The Clone Wars have not been declared, this act of aggression was certainly meant to provoke them. I would argue that Corde is technically the first casualty of The Clone Wars – the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Star Wars.

Little Golden Book: Attack of the Clones. July 28, 2015. Writer: Geof Smith. Illustrator: Ethan Beavers.

A rare moment of respect from Darth Vader toward a very cool one-off character, the young ensign Nanda. Anakin dislikes most people he meets, so it’s always a big deal to get a compliment from him. (But at what cost?!)

“Star Wars 13: Five Days of Sith,” part 1. Dark Horse. January 8, 2014. Writer: Brian Wood. Penciller: Facundo Percio. Inker: Dan Parsons. Letterer: Michael Heisler. Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb.

Shut up, Griff, I’m trying to become one with the universe!

Star Wars Newspaper Comic Strip: “Doom Mission.” March 1 and April 3, 1983. Writer: Archie Goodwin. Illustrator: Al Williamson.

It’s Anakin Week!

We don’t talk enough about the little carriage ride Anakin and Padme take on Tatooine. It’s so freaking iconic!

I wonder what was going through Anakin’s mind as they rode through his old hometown? He couldn’t be more different now than he was when he left – from a poor, enslaved kid to a tall, handsome knight of the realm with a royal lady at his side.

Concept art from The Art of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, written by Mark Cotta Vaz, published 2002. “Rickshaw with Droid,” drawn by Marc Gabbana.

This comic gives a tragic backstory to Lobot, and it’s actually really emotional.

“Lando,” issue 3. Marvel. August 26, 2015. Writer: Charles Soule. Penciller: Alex Maleev. Letterer: Joe Caramagna. Colorist: Paul Mounts.

I trust him…

Concept art from The Art of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, written by Mark Cotta Vaz, published 2002. Drawn by Dermot Power.

This is such a strange and silly situation, but it’s drawn so goddamn beautifully.

“Star Wars 73: Lahsbane.” Original Marvel. April 12, 1983. Writer: Mary Jo Duffy. Penciller: Ron Frenz (you didn’t have to go so hard!). Inker: Tom Palmer. Letterer: Joe Rosen. Colorist: Glynis Oliver.

Hottest man in Star Wars?
Han Solo
Poe Dameron
this beefy DILF from Coruscant!

Concept art from The Art of Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, written by Mark Cotta Vaz, published 2002. Drawn by Dermot Power.

He’s so blunt, lol

“Tales from Vader’s Castle,” issue 1: “The Haunting of the Ghost.” Marvel. October 3, 2018. Writer: Cavan Scott. Pencillers: Derek Charm and Chris Fenoglio. Letterer: Robbie Robbins.

This storyboard is so beautiful that it makes me wish Empire Strikes Back was entirely animated in this style. Look at those hands and those marker lines. Stylish and energetic.

Storyboard drawn by Nilo Rodis-Jamero during the late 70s as preproduction for The Empire Strikes Back. From “Storyboards: The Original Trilogy,” edited by J. W. Rinzler and published in 2014.