Lucasfilm – Greg Goldstein's Comic Art Gallery

Ernie Colon & Al Williamson — A New Hope

May 22, 2024 Greg Goldstein Original Art and The Artists

Droids #8, June 1987

Original Marvel Comics Star Wars comic book art by Ernie Colon & Williamson from the collection of Greg Goldstein

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

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.”

Mike Mayhew — Fool’s Gold

December 14, 2019 Greg Goldstein Original Art and The Artists

Star Wars: Lando, #1, September 2015

Mike Mayhew cleverly envisions Lando Calrissian’s ’s microsecond moment of glory in the Empire Strikes Back — interrupted by Vader and company.

Lucasfilm has not always encouraged more whimsical interpretations of its characters and storylines, so it was good to see this one approved to print.

Mike had submitted a few ideas (see below) for this variant cover and this one received the green light.

And Mike was kind enough to thank me for reminding him to file and back-up everything in his archive so that when art obsessives like myself come along, he has digital copies of the roughs and pencils to provide. You’d be surprised at how much comic art material will never see the publishing light of day again because no can find the files or scans.

Happily, here we can see the progression from thumbnail to sketch to pencils to finals, etc.

As for Lando? (Billy Dee Williams, a spry 82-years old.) I’m happy that he gets to make one final appearance in the Star Wars saga. But if he’s there just to make some grand sacrifice, I will be annoyed. (Ditto for Chewie. And the Falcon, too, for that matter.)

I think we’ve had enough of that.