Darth Vader – Greg Goldstein's Comic Art Gallery

Jeffrey Brown — Dad Jokes For Star Wars Fans

May 15, 2024 Greg Goldstein Original Art and The Artists

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.”

Facundo Percio & Dan Parsons — My Old Master, Revisited

May 21, 2022 Greg Goldstein Original Art and The Artists

Star Wars #14, February 2014

Here’s an absolutely iconic scene from the original Star Wars film. (“New Hope.”) Darth Vader faces his former master, Obi-Wan Kenobi, on the Death Star. As any Star Wars fan knows, things don’t go well for old Ben.

Or do they?

It depends on a certain point of view, I suppose.

If you scan the word balloons, you’ll see that there’s a slight twist to this Dark Horse storyline, although I’m not going to be the one to spoil it for you.

Classic imagery

Impactful.

And, it bears repeating — iconic.

John Cassaday — May The 4th Be With You

May 4, 2022 Greg Goldstein Original Art and The Artists

Star Wars #2, April 2015

Well, it’s May, that time of year when thoughts turn to… Star Wars.

Here we have a great page by superstar artist John Cassaday, depicting the very first time Luke and Darth Vader confront each other in the “new”(current) Star Wars continuity.

This story takes place shortly after the (first) Death Star is blown to bits in “A New Hope.” Luke does not know that Vader is his pop, and Vader does not realize that Luke is the rebel that was responsible for said Death Star going “boom.”

Heh. Much to learn, they both have.

It’s the 45^th anniversary of Star Wars this month, and perhaps more significantly, the release of yet some more backstory revision with the launch of the new Obi-Wan Television series later this month.

That’s really more of an observation than a knock, but I really hope the show is narratively clever. Because no one (honestly, no one) thought that Obi-Wan would have logically fought Vader yet again. One of them should have been not just toasted, but complete toast.

But of course, let’s see how this all plays out.

In the meantime, we’ve got a full slate of Star Wars posts for the rest of the month.

May The 4th be with you.

Leo Manco — Plenty Of Time To Die

January 20, 2022 Greg Goldstein Original Art and The Artists

Doom: The Emperor Returns, #2, February 2002

Doctor Doom’s greatest fantasy? Murdering Reed Richards, of course.

And if you have your own planet, you too can make your dreams come true.

Leo Manco nicely illustrates Doom choking Reed on this page from the Emperor Doom mini-series.

Reminds me of a film moment of a certain costumed villain that looks an awful lot like Doctor Doom. Art imitates art, imitates art, ad infinitum, apparently.

Manco, an Argentinian artist, is terrific, and I wish we’d see more of his work in the comic book space.

*The similarities between Darth Vader and Doctor Doom always choke me up. (Ouch.)* *Per our last post, Lucas owes some public tribute to Jack Kirby as far as we are concerned.*

Mike Deodato / Andrew Pepoy — Family Feud

December 8, 2019 Greg Goldstein Original Art and The Artists

Pencil Commission, Undated (Inks, 2019)

Continuing our countdown to Star Wars:The Rise of Skywalker, opening December 20, and concluding, apparently, the Skywalker saga.

I discovered this dynamic undated commission by Mike Deodato a few months ago. Something about it — the composition, Luke’s face, the overall “loose” style — reminded me of Carmine Infantino’s enjoyable run on the original Marvel series 40 years ago.

When I acquired the piece at NYCC, it was pencils only, and although it looked great, my gut told me to get it inked. (Sadly, my guts often have opinion.)

Fortunately, my pal Andrew Pepoy, the talented inker, happened to be nearby. Turns out, he always wanted to ink the late Infantino, and well, maybe this is the next best thing…

He nailed it — keeping the looseness intact, while adding polish and more depth to make it pop. (Look at Luke’s Lightsaber against Vader’s cape for instance.) This is especially impressive because the pencils were created on an odd thin paper stock, nothing like the more typical Bristol board artists employ. Definitely not an easy task.

Carmine’s run comes during the period leading up to to Empire Strikes Back, and I’m sure Lucasfilm was giving Marvel and writer Archie Goodwin fits, keeping them from, well, just about any story element that would spoil the film. Which is… well…. just about everything. Nerveless, they manage to have a few confrontations between Luke and Vader. Even if, of course, nothing is what it seems.

As for this Deodato piece? Mike’s modern Star Wars (see below) art looks nothing like this commission — someday I hope to get the backstory on the art. Until then… stay tuned.