Grown men were sitting around the table discussing things with childhood enthusiasm. It was a real life scene moment almost out of a Tarantino film, anyone really take your pick. Let's say the opening of Reservoir Dogs, though the conversation wasn't about Mr. Pink or Mr. Purple. This conversation centered around the battle, the Jawa's vs. the Imperial Sandtroopers that took place on Tatooine. Obi-wan observes that the Sandtroopers attempted to disguise the slaughter, they staged everything so it appeared to be done by the Sand People. The crux of our argument hinged on what was the extent of the firefight? Were the Jawa's able to put up any type of formidable defense or was the Empire's strength so vastly superior?
The debaters involved on the topic were fairly divided. A few of my friends eagerly sided the Empire, though some of us felt the Jawa's had to have a few tactical tricks. What was needed here was some research into Lucas lore to settle the score! So the Sandcrawler's were originally manufactured by the Corellian Mining Corporation. After abandoning their unsuccessful mining efforts the heavily treaded vehicles were left behind on Tatooine. These vehicles ultimately gained new life thanks to the Jawas, who took to the abandoned vessels as if they were made especially for them. A little known fact is that Tusken Raiders actually sold some of the vehicles to the Jawas. They were also key in Jawa defense doctrine: the vehicle's armor was strong enough to sustain attack of Sand People or even a Krayt Dragon. However they proved to be too weak to survive attacks provided with more effective weaponry. The Imperial Sandtroopers as a ground force did not have the capability to take on the rolling fortresses unaided. They put in a call for tactical air support abetted by an Imperial Flying Fortress. Seems only then they could easily pinpoint & destroyed weaker spots of the desert vessel, immobilizing it and slaughtering all the Jawas. Still I like to imagine some stealthy Jawa's putting up a fight all the while yelling "Utinni!"
With Bad Intentions Always,
Gothic Hangman
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
HOMAGE to RALPH McQUARRIE or STAR WARS design 101
Upon entering the world of Star Wars art, one man...more than any other, designed an Empire. This fact is irrefutable and if you don't know the name commit it to memory, it's Ralph McQuarrie. When studio heads had no idea if Lucas could ever make his film fly, McQuarrie stepped in and gave a galaxy far, far away it's style and furthermore it's grand scale. He was the man gave menace to Darth Vader, rendered Lightsaber duals and also Cantina & Millenium Falcon in the Port of Mos Eisley. He was a somewhat forgotten hero of my childhood, when thinking back now I'd trace and copy his work. As a full fledged professional artist I've grown to appreciate him even more. Working on Star Wars art myself I do my best to imbibe my work with his spirit. While I've had a chance to render several Darth Vader's this one pays the closet homage yet. http://www.ralphmcquarrie.com/
With Bad Intentions Always,
Gothic Hangman
With Bad Intentions Always,
Gothic Hangman
Sunday, February 6, 2011
STAR WARS GALAXY 6 PREVIEW
Since childhood I've been thoroughly captivated by the Star Wars mythos. Never in a million years could I have foretold that one day it would be a part of my livelihood. Word was that Topps Trading Card Co. was looking for underground artists. It was then by the power of The Force, my artistry was thus enlisted & thoroughly transformed. One major boon of this opportunity was a chance to experiment with economy of technique, composition & swiftness. Doing 56 one of a kind cards was no less of a feat than hitting a "bulls-eye" on womp rats while flying T-16. Each 3 inch card took on average 30 minutes to create, it was nothing short of artistic marksmanship.
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