Interlude — OAX, Better Late…
Original Art Expo, January 2024
Somehow, four months passed, and these pics from the Original Art Expo haven’t made it to the blog.
Welp, better late than never.
Carmine Infantino & Pablo Marcos — Way Of The Wookie!
Star Wars Weekly #95 (Marvel UK), December 1979
Here’s a terrific 1979 Star Wars splash page from Carmine Infantino; like a few other stories from the same era, it was originally exclusive to the Star Wars UK weekly.
I’ve never seen a definitive answer on this, but I suspect writer Archie Goodwin wrote several stories as “placeholders” until Lucasfilm gave Marvel some indication on the storyline/ direction of Empire Strikes Back. No one at Marvel could have been possibly known when that would be. So, Archie and Carmine kept going with “isolated” storylines, until they were brought into the loop.
(The ESB embargo date must have changed a few times too. Marvel advertises the adaptation at the end of #37 for the very next issue — which ends up as a filler story — because Empire doesn’t start till #39.)
Lovely brushwork from Pablo Marcos nicely compliments and enhances Carmine’s “loose” pencil work. (As Carmine aged, his styled became looser and looser. Check his 80s return to DC’s original Flash series a few years later.)
Another quirk about this story. It ultimately appeared in color (from Marie Severin) in a Marvel US paperback collection of “new” Star Wars stories. Cropping on the panels is inconsistent because the pages had to fit the odd format. (See below.)
Ernie Colon & Al Williamson — A New Hope
Droids #8, June 1987
George Lucas thought SF comics legend Al Williamson (EC, Flash Gordon) was an ideal choice to draw the original Marvel adaption of Star Wars. (Now officially titled Chapter IV: A New Hope.)
Unfortunately, Al was locked into his deal for the Secret Agent Corrigan newspaper strip and couldn’t take the gig.
(Fortunately for George, his other choice came through: Howard Chaykin, who was extraordinarily familiar and comfortable with SF and swashbuckling came on board for the adaptation and a few additional issues. But, as always, we digress.)
Al ultimately ended up doing wonderful adaptations of both Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. The stories are gorgeous.
But… Al gets another shot on the original film, when, 10 years after the fact, Marvel decides to adapt A New Hope again — this time as a three-part story in the kids’ comic, Droids.
Ernie Colon provides lovely storytelling, and Williamson provides his beautiful inks, giving him credits on all three Star Wars original trilogy films.
As for the story itself — the main selling point is that this adaptation is told from the Droids’ point of view — which seems odd, since Lucas told interviewers that the films were told from the Droids’ POV, in the first place.
Deja Vu all over again?
Jeffrey Brown — Dad Jokes For Star Wars Fans
Star Wars: Vader’s Little Princess, 2013
Here are two wonderful cartoons from Jeffrey Brown’s delightful Star Wars “kid’s” books. Kids is in quote marks, because honestly the jokes play even better with adults, especially those that have seen the films multiple times.
I acquired two of the originals, because, well, I have two kids, and they may want souvenirs from my art collection. (Adults now actually, but still my “kids.” Oops, more quote marks.)
Not to mention that they are beautifully done, and I would probably acquire more if they weren’t so pricey.
Come to think of it that might apply to the kids, as well as the art.
Don’t them I said that.
From the Publisher:
“Darth Vader is learning that being a Sith lord and dedicated father to Princess Leia isn’t quite so easy…
In this irresistibly funny follow-up to the breakout bestseller Darth Vader and Son, Vader—Sith Lord and leader of the Galactic Empire—now faces the trials, joys, and mood swings of raising his daughter Leia as she grows from a sweet little girl into a rebellious teenager. Smart and funny illustrations by artist Jeffrey Brown give classic Star Wars moments a twist by bringing these iconic family relations together under one roof. From tea parties to teaching Leia how to fly a TIE fighter, regulating the time she spends talking with friends via R2-D2’s hologram, and making sure Leia doesn’t leave the house wearing only a skirted metal bikini, Vader’s parenting skills are put hilariously to the test.”
Klaus Janson — The Apprentice
Star Wars Annual #3, 1983
1983 was a busy year for Star Wars… and Klaus Janson.
Janson pencils, inks, and colors a terrific looking stand-alone Star Wars annual which releases in the summer. At the same time, he’s inking and penciling over Frank Miller’s layouts on Miller’s legendary Daredevil run. (Ultimately penciling and inking four issues on his own.)
On the Lucasfilm front, Return of The Jedi releases in May 1983, concluding the original trilogy — with the gazillion licensed products that follow suit. (The Jedi adaptation from Marvel is released as a separate series, in addition to the monthly Star Wars ongoing comic book.)
The first three pages of this Star Wars annual came up for auction late last year and fortunately, I snagged one.
Russ Manning — Star Wars, Sunday Best
Star Wars Sunday Strip, #39, December 12, 1979
I finally checked off a piece of art from my OA “bucket list” with the acquisition of this terrific Russ Manning Star Wars Sunday strip late last year.
I own some great Star Wars original art, but not much focusing on Leia, so I’m especially pleased I won this strip at auction. Coincidentally, I was the underbidder the previous time it had appeared at auction — second time is the charm, apparently.
When we had the opportunity to collect the complete Star Wars strip collection at IDW Publishing, it was yet another box checked off from the publishing bucket list. Dean Mullaney and the Library of American Comics (LOAC) crew produced (as always) an amazing three-volume set.
Welcome to Star Wars “month.” May the force be with you throughout.
Nestor Redondo — Birds Of Paradise
Rima, The Jungle Girl #6, March 1975
Dear DC,
Please collect the short-lived Bronze Age series, Rima The Jungle Girl, featuring gorgeous art from Nestor Redondo* in his prime. It might not be a best-seller, but fans in the know will thank you profusely will their support.
Trust me on this.
Your pal,
Greg
(No scan or photo will do real justice to this dazzling splash page featuring dozens of exotic and detailed tropical birds.
*Joe Kubert layouts, Redondo pencils and inks.
Frank Thorne —Emperor Of Doom
Savage Sword of Conan #23, October 1977
Here’s a gorgeous and splashy Frank Thorne washtone page from a terrific Red Sonja story published in the black and white Savage Sword of Conan magazine.
Thorne is one of those artists that I enjoyed as a kid but did not fully appreciate until much later. Excellent draftsmanship, storytelling, and an imaginative sense of design.
And, of course, beautiful women. That part was always obvious.
I acquired this page earlier this year at OAX. Paid too much for it.
But not sorry about it.
George Perez — Avengers & JLA, Assemble!
Avengers / JLA #4, May 2004
Captain Marvel fighting alongside… Captain Marvel? Only on this great battle page by the legendary George Perez from the Justice League / Avengers crossover that took more than 20 years to make happen.
And, appropriately, 2024 is the 20th anniversary of its publication. Twenty years ago? How on Earth (1,2, or 616) did that happen?
(Thanks to pal and super collector Michael Lovitz for parting with this one.)
Interlude — WonderCon 2024
Anaheim Convention Center, March 29-31, 2024
