CLASSIC ART: IN THE HAND OF THE DARK SIDE!

Jack Kirby, the legendary visual co-creator of the incredible MARVEL COMICS universe, alongside that other icon in super-scribe Stan Lee, gave us so much incredible action, heroism and scary villainy across hundreds of colourful comic issues, capturing readers imaginations so fiercely, so the artist must surely have felt quite at home penning this sadly one-time-only piece of STAR WARS art, featuring the incredible galaxy-spanning conflict between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader (who was very much the Doctor Doom-esque villain of this particular franchise, in so many ways).

This great 1994 composition is one of the many fine pieces reproduced this March 15th, 2016, with the release of the next chapter in the ABRAMS book series chronicling the superb STAR WARS TOPPS photo card sets that would become so cherished: this time focusing on the diverse art magically brought to life for its three-year spanning STAR WARS GALAXY, in a lovely, right-size hardback once more compiled and charted by the enthusiastic original editor and writer for the linage: Gary Gerani.

Here's the book press release notes:

Ten years after the release of Return of the Jedi, the Topps Company reintro­duced the Star Wars universe to collectors with a series of trading cards. Illustrated by the biggest names in science fiction, fantasy, and comics—including Kyle Baker, Moebius, Jon J Muth, William Stout, and Walter Simonson—George Lucas’s galaxy is reinterpreted in each artist’s style, portraying favorite characters, re-creating classic moments, and even inventing new scenes the illustrators always wanted to see. These trading-card images became instant fan favorites and the benchmark for visual reinter­pretations of Star Wars to come. For the first time, this collection showcases the complete New Visions series; rare promotional images; an introduction and commentary by Gary Gerani; and an afterword by Drew Struzan, and cover art by Joseph Smith.

Featuring over 170 artists including Michael Allred, Sergro Aragonés, Simon Bisley, John Bolton, Bret Blevins, Timothy Bradstreet, Dan Brereton, June Brigman, J. Scott Campbell, Paul Chadwick, Howard Chaykin, Mark Chiarello, Gene Colan, Amanda Conner, Geof Darrow, Jack Davis, Steve Ditko, Colleen Doran, Dave Dorman, Steve Fastner, Bob Fingerman, Frank Kelly Freas, Rick Geary, Dave Gibbons, Keith Giffen, Jean "Moebius" Giraud, Mike Grell, Scott Hampton, Jeffrey Jones, Kelley Jones, Michael Kaluta, Gil Kane, Cam Kennedy, Karl Kesel, Sam Kieth, Jack Kirby, Ray Lago, Rich Larson, Jae Lee, John Paul Leon, Esteban Maroto, Michael Mignola, Ralph McQuarrie, Linda Medley, C. Scott Morse, Mike Avon Oeming, Jimmy Palmiotti, George Perez, John Pound, George Pratt, Joe Quesada, P. Craig Russell, Zina Saunders, Mark Schultz, Bill Sienkiewicz, Joseph Smith, John K. Snyder III, Jim Starlin, Ken Steacy, Brian Stelfreeze, Dave Stevens, Drew Struzan, Boris Vallejo, John Van Fleet, Charles Vess, Jill Thompson, Angelo Torres, Tim Truman, Al Williamson, Gahan Wilson, and more

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Gary Gerani is the creator, editor, and writer of hundreds of Topps trading card sets and the author of Topps’s Star Wars series. Gerani lives in Los Angeles.

The Topps Company, Inc., founded in 1938, is the preeminent creator and brand marketer of sports cards, entertainment products, and distinctive confectionery.

Get the book here: Star Wars Galaxy (Topps): Amazon.co.uk: Gary Gerani: 9781419719134: Books

Look out for the AFICIONADO review shortly.