Seeing as today has been turned into *ahem* ‘Force Friday’ by the powers that be here’s a Tie-Fighter from the new Hasbro Star Wars toy catalogue. Still iconic.
Star Wars
We’ve all seen this by now, right? Original master movie poster painter Drew Struzan was persuaded out of retirement to create a new poster for Episode VII. Harrison Ford (because that’s all I can see here, not Han Solo) looks well haggard and seems to be thinking, “Let’s get this over with!”. I’m wondering, with the odd crop and lack of lettering (or space for it) whether this is the full image. I lightened it up a bit because it seemed so dark.
I just made it in time to see the end of this exhibition at the 5th Base Gallery today, 12 classic scenes from the first three Star Wars films, each cut from a single sheet of A4 paper. The process is called Kirigami – rather than purely folding paper as in Origami it involves cutting as well – and artist Marc Hagan-Guirey has created these 12 dioramas over a period of three years.
Beautifully displayed in colour sensitive light boxes with mirrored surfaces they are quite simply stunning and are all apparently hand cut rather than laser cut. The circles are perfect the straight edges are perfect and the level of detail in such miniatures is nothing short of incredible. They are now going to be sold off to the highest bidders from the Kickstarter than Marc initiated to bring the exhibition to the public so this was probably the last time they’ll all be seen together.
Along with the forthcoming Episode 7 trailers and Star Wars Secret Cinema, these Battlefront trailers really are making me fall in love with the Star Wars universe all over again after years of not caring after Lucas’ terrible second trilogy. All three recapture the thrill of the original films like nothing since the 80s.
This bit of Star Wars fan fiction is doing the rounds on the web right now and with good cause as it’s visualised and told (wordlessly I might add) beautifully. From a short scene in Return of the Jedi, Daniel Warren Johnson has created an 11 page comic expanding outwards to before and after the event, imagining what led to and ultimately resulted from it.
The scene is the one where an A-Wing pilot, realising he’s hit and little can save him, turns kamikaze and crashes headlong into Darth Vader‘s Super Star Destroyer Executor causing a chain reaction that causes it to crash into the Death Star surface. Warren Johnson says “For some reason, this A wing pilot MOVED me. Everything about this part of Return of the Jedi made me want to DRAW and CREATE. This is a fan fiction comic I made in April, just because I love this scene and I love comics.”
It’s superbly realised and heartbreaking despite the huge rebel victory that resulted as he’s added a human element to the mix. Also check out his sci-fi web comic, Space Mullet, while you’re there.
Another bit of Star Wars fan fiction dealing with alternate viewpoints of the saga’s characters is the Tie Fighter animated short I featured a while back. I just noticed that there’s also a poster and extensive background character notes for the seven minute plus Manga-style film by Paul Johnson what has the Empire as the heroes (they always did have the best designs).
I went to the Secret Cinema presentation of The Empire Strikes Back last night and all I can say is ‘GO!’ If you’re a fan of Star Wars then there is so much for you at this event besides the showing of ‘Empire…’. I’d advise going with friends rather than alone, getting dressed up and fully into the spirit of it rather than being an observer. When you buy tickets there’s a registration process to go through, do it and take note of the items they ask you to bring, you might need them.
No photos apart from my crew’s ID cards above, as none are allowed and that would spoil it anyway. It was actually nice to go somewhere where people weren’t constantly either looking at their phones of snapping away rather than taking in the experience (even though one of the first things you want to do is take photos!). It opened officially to the public today and runs until September so there’s time but weekend tickets are selling out fast. Kids from 8 years up are allowed and I’m definitely going back with mine…
I was honoured to play at both the Secret Cantina on Friday and the main site of the Secret Cinema presentation of The Empire Strikes Back yesterday. It opens this week on June 4th, a month after the launch at the Alexandra Palace and the Cantina Bar satellite venue at the weekends. At £75 a head it’s expensive but, having experienced what they’ve done, I can tell you it’s worth every penny and even the hardcore would be hard-pressed to nit-pick. You will never experience The Empire Strikes Back at a cinema like this, ever.
If you’re dithering over getting a ticket then don’t delay as the weekends are nearly all sold out going up to September when it ends its run. And if you’re going and not making an effort with your costume then you’re going to feel pretty under dressed on the day. I’d love to show you some photos of what’s in store but that would spoil it and if you’re going this summer I might just see you there…
Seeing as how it’s just barely still May the Fourth, I should drop this in. Follow @Rebel X on Twitter for forthcoming events info …
Now that’s a poster!
There’s going to be lots of Star Wars activity this year isn’t there? These polaroids are from the collection of continuity expert Ann Skinner who was on set for Star Wars: A New Hope (as it’s now known). They are on display in London as part of BFI’s sci-fi season, Days of Fear and Wonder, in the Southbank’s atrium until Jan 4th, 2015. 
Because Disney now own Star Wars as well as Marvel they are relaunching the monthly titles previously published by Dark Horse in 2015 in anticipation for the new film in December. They’ve gone a bit over the top on the variant covers for this one – around 30 different ones apparently – here are some of my favourites starting with Alex Ross‘ version of the first ever Star Wars comic cover in his own style, very clever. Check the slightly less snooty depiction of Leia 
This one by John Tyler Christopher both hints back to the original post-film tales of the original comic (yes there used to be a green humanoid rabbit as part of the cast at one point) and also tips a nod to those old Mad magazine covers of the 80’s.
More retro love with this version – again by John Tyler Christopher – in the style of the old toy packaging, I wonder if there’ll be a monthly variant with a different character each time?
This Skottie Young image comprises three titles: Princess Leia, Star Wars and Darth Vader, that join to form one panorama.
And there had to be a Boba Fett one didn’t there? (in fact there are several) I like the pulp feel of this one by Daniel-Acuna and Leslie has pointed out in the comments that it’s a take on The Amazing Spider-man 129 which was the first appearance of The Punisher.
From ‘Adam Buxton’s Shed Of Christmas’ – a conversation between Adam and his 5 year old daughter about Jabba The Hutt‘s fashion ideas. Can’t argue with that logic.
Animation by The Brothers McLeod / Twitter: @BROTHERSMCLEOD
After the last piss poor Lucas ‘directed’ trilogy I was actively indifferent about any kind of sequel but JJ Abrams is just pushing all the right buttons, hard not to be sucked in. I feel like I’m 7 years old again. More info here, expect to see more over the coming year…
Now the circle is complete. Just in time for the launch of the first Star Wars 7 teaser trailer (you may have heard about that) comes the final installment of the Rave Wars trilogy. You should know the drill by now – 7″ vinyl, this time in Sith Lord black or Tatooine orange, packaged with a random character from the original series of SW figures (nothing after ’83). Two rave tracks with Star Wars themes, this time by Luke Vibert and Killa Productions. Available now from Balkan Vinyl – be quick, very limited!
The fans have been busy since Friday, customising the first teaser trailer for ‘The Force Awakens’
Oh yeah!