CLASSIC IMAGE: THE IMPERIAL DEATH FLEET GATHERS...

The first conceptual art version of the immense Super Star Destroyer Executor, centre amidst a convoy of other ancillary Imperial ships, is well captured in ominous storyboard art by Joe Johnston for The Empire Strikes Back.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: HIDING IN PLAIN SIGHT!

Using an old smuggler's trick, Han Solo has achieved the impossible: literally disappearing the Millennium Falcon in plain sight right under the Imperial Death Fleet's noses, and now has to plan an unceremonious way of escape in order to find a new safe port.

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The miniature Falcon model on the massive Imperial tower head.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: EVADING THE IMPERIAL STARFLEET!

Specially created effects composite image by ILM, used for theatrical release/merchandise publicity.

Luke and Artoo may have escaped Hoth relatively easy, now heading for the mysterious Dagobah, but things are harder for Han Solo and company. They've barely shaken off one set of Imperial enemies on the surface, now the crew of the Millennium Falcon face further, bigger threats in space, encountering the Star Destroyer blockade en force, all vessels of which are under orders from Darth Vader to capture the Falcon at all costs. Han Solo and Chewbacca must use all the piloting skills and tricks at their disposal to avoid such a fate.

The chase begins, as seen in this ILM storyboard by Joe Johnston.

The Falcon makes a fast descent that sends the Star Destroyers into chaos, as seen in this ILM storyboard.

A dizzyingly effective storyboard as the TIE fighters continue pursuit.

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: THE BLOCKADE OF HOTH!

Emerged from Hyperspace into the nearby sector four, the Rebels are soon alerted to the newly arrived Imperial Death Fleet, whose Star Destroyers efficiently form a blockade around Hoth's sixth planet. A lovely shot of the Imperial war machines in orbit from the legendary Ralph McQuarrie.

Painting and thumbnail concepts by Ralph McQuarrie, 

AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: A DARK LORD OBSESSED...

He'd been the second villain, very much the strong arm to the evil Governor Tarkin, for most of the original Star Wars, but not so with the return of the Sith Lord Darth Vader in the then eagerly-awaited The Empire Strikes Back, and an epic tale that would feature the world's favourite super-villain in a more darkly complex, darkly thoughtful and monstrously dangerous way than we'd seen before. Vader was not previously happy with the destruction of the Death Star, nor thrilled by having his prototype TIE fighter damaged and spinning out into deep space by a surprise appearance from the Millennum Falcon. Both the hunt for Luke Skywalker, destroyer of the Death Star, of whom the Force is very strong within him, and the capture of his unique friends, being the obsessive focal point to Vader's psyche within the important first sequel's plotting...

Terrific 1980 art by Al Williamson and Carlos Garzon of Vader, later to adorn a memorable full colour cover to the UK's Star Wars Weekly comic, from Marvel.