'SPECIAL EDITION' CLASSIC IMAGE: INSIDE DOCKING BAY 94!

The legendary scene once witnessed only briefly in its raw form within the classic From Star Wars to Jedi: The Making of a Saga documentary of 1983, now enhanced with CGI, as Han Solo and Jabba the Hutt spar at Mos Eisley spaceport's Docking Bay 94, within the seemingly constantly revised Star Wars Trilogy Special Editions, all of which were truly enjoyed by fans upon original release during Jan-March, 1997 (but sadly became controversial over time), kickstarting the saga anew on the big screen whilst also generating a helluva lot of money, much of its tie-in profits ultimately going towards the production costs of the then eagerly awaited, upcoming Prequels, to debut in 1999.

https://www.slashfilm.com/845091/why-a-pivotal-harrison-ford-star-wars-scene-sat-unfinished-for-20-years/?fbclid=IwAR16aWpLTeUSBzohJoC3I0irThjqHQXW9n0iWW5zi8STfIaUepxqkyhaNts

This image and above: the  CGI sequence as seen and updated from 2004 onwards.

1990's storyboard for the revised scene.

AFICIONADO REVIEW: 'THE HEART OF THE JEDI'

Art by Paul Shipper.

Luke Skywalker's past, present and future collide as he must face his ultimate destiny as both a Jedi and a vital member of the fledgling New Republic. But such a tumultuous and important series of events for the former Tatooine farm boy couldn't have come at a worse juncture, just as the Imperial Senate sues for peace with their former enemies and an evil Empire captain threatens to destroy the hard work that such a potential union could bring to the galaxy, of which the death of 'the last Jedi' is amongst his top priorities. 

Set after the events of Return of the Jedi and before the original Thrawn Trilogy of Timothy Zahn, I finally got around to online reading Kenneth C. Flint's 'lost' Star Wars novel, originally to have been published back in the then re-invigorated franchise's publishing reign of 1993 - The Heart of the Jedi, and found it a great read, coming to my attention at a highly refreshing time (in 2021) when today's fiction publishing schedule linked to the saga has become less enjoyable, less innocent and less adventuresome. Yes, Heart is very much an adventure of its time (before the prequels) and (near) place in the Del Rey publishing canon - it's a shame that bad luck saw this book, part of a planned trilogy, resigned to limbo - but the overall story flows well at a brisk, page-turning pace, our iconic heroes are well represented, and there's lots of solid action set pieces and continuity celebrations (plus some fun in-jokes to the Indiana Jones saga too!). 

All in all, it's worth your reading time. Discover it here:

http://www.starwarstimeline.net/The%20Heart%20of%20the%20Jedi.htm

'STAR WARS' AT 40: WIRED FOR SOUND!

Ben Burtt at work on STAR WARS. Note all the early storyboards around him.

Knowing that sound and sound design were going to be such an important and 'organic' part of their cinematic space fantasy, George Lucas and Gary Kurtz certainly hit pay dirt with their discovery and cultivation of enthused young sound design genius Ben Burtt, hungry to work on the film and seeing its potential straight away, emergent with acclaim from USC and with a passion for all kinds of sounds around the world. Operating from the basement of George Lucas's Parkway home for the most part, Burtt's epic contributions to the film, especially linked to Artoo Detoo, Chewbacca, the lightsaber hum and many, many more iconic sounds, has not diminished.

http://www.starwars.com/video/ben-burtt-interview-the-sound-of-lightsabers

1993 interview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWiuKNPqkko

2018: A nostalgic trip with Ben Burtt back to the original location of Sprocket Systems:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7K6YUPXLI2o&feature=youtu.be

Burtt's behind the sounds book of the six-film saga. An essential purchase.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sounds-Star-Wars-J-Rinzler/dp/0857200763/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1511793850&sr=8-8&keywords=sounds+of+star+wars+book

CLASSIC STRUZAN: 'QUEEN OF THE EMPIRE'!

That infamous icon from the Earth's Amazonian depths, The Creature from the Black Lagoon, makes an impressive entrance as an all-new alien for the STAR WARS universe, in this gorgeous art by Drew Struzan for the 1993 Expanded Universe novel by Paul Davids and Hollace Davids: Queen of the Empire, part of the Jedi Prince series that I'll really have to find and catch up on one day.

welcome to DrewStruzan.com

CLASSIC ART: DAGOBAH DRAMATIS!

Fans who originally felt short changed by the all too brief final confrontation between Han Solo and his once captor in bounty hunter Boba Fett, over the Sarlaac Pit during RETURN OF THE JEDI, could at least find later consolation, enjoyment and action possibilities within this striking image set on the swamp world of Dagobah, depicting an alternate but no less exciting conflict between these two opposing shades of grey. Bo Hampton's evocative image became a firm favourite for the classic 1993 STAR WARS GALAXY card series from TOPPS, which adapted the now iconic Boba Fett on reptile beast from The Holiday Special - this version of the Mandalorian-armoured antagonist in his original concept/test suit whites, whilst Han retained his familiar outfit worn during the original STAR WARS.

March 15th, 2016 sees 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 soon.

CLASSIC INDY: INDY AND THE BLUES!

On location filming in Wyoming, George Lucas manages to procure Harrison Ford's help playing an older, bearded Indiana Jones (circa 1950) for the bookend opening and closing scenes of the feature-length YOUNG INDIANA JONES episode Mystery of the Blues from 1993. Suffice to say, Ford's appearance was the best thing to happen to the series, as well as being the episodes saving grace!

CLASSIC INDY: MUSICAL GIFTS...

Harrison Ford returns to play an older version of Indiana Jones, wearing his beard well and revealing his saxophone playing history, for the feature length 1993 YOUNG INDIANA JONES TV series episode Young Indiana Jones and the Mystery of the Blues, designed as a second season launcher to win viewers back into watching the young audience educational series, of which Ford filmed all his snowbound scenes near his home in Jackson,Wyoming as a favour to George Lucas.

Clip: Young Indiana Jones & The Mystery Of The Blues (better Quality w/ tv preview) - YouTube