CELEBRATING TWENTY YEARS OF 'ATTACK OF THE CLONES'!

Intrigue, mystery, a building manipulative conspiracy from a dark force, the beginnings of an ultimately tragic and disturbing relationship between a former Queen and a young Jedi all too ready to bend the rules to his own advantage, all fused with the detonation of a universe shattering war, are the key elements to the important second film in George Lucas's prequel opus, Attack of the Clones, whose main characters are featured in this super art for the Japanese edition of R. A. Salvatore's novelisation from 2002, and a piece that was ultimately far better than anything released for the book covers of the US and Europe versions.

The Twentieth Anniversary celebrations of this sequel adventure begin on STAR WARS AFICIONADO...

'STAR WARS' AT 45: WELCOME TO JAPAN!

They may have have been the last worldwide territory to screen the film back in January 1978, but the Japanese were more than ready and excited for the original Star Wars, as seen in this lively action-packed poster which has a delightful, everything-but-the-kitchen-sink-in-it feel in promoting the adventure's key characters (including the silver Rebel Blockade Runner protocol droid, no less!) and special effects.

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AN 'EMPIRE' AT 40: COLOURS IN DARKNESS!

The momentous Fortieth Anniversary celebrations for The Empire Strikes Back will surely kick off soon across all the official Star Wars platforms, hopefully showcasing old and new gems linked to our favourite, much-beloved sequel movie, likes this great poster concept art by acclaimed Japanese artist Noriyoshi Ohrai.

CLASSIC ART: CRISIS POINT!

Players both for good and for evil converge at Coruscant, the centre of the Republic, as the returned Sith, led by the malicious Darth Sidious, launch the final ambitious and apocalyptic phase of revenge against the galaxy. This is James Luceno's splendid events-packed lead-in to EPISODE III, Labyrinth of Evil, seen here via its gorgeous Japanese book cover edition from 2005. If you've never read this page-turner, it's well worth picking up.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE SAGA-BINDING ICONS!

Iconic symbolism from the Classic Star Wars films - the lightsaber of the light side of the Force, and the ships of the Rebellion and Empire - form the basis of this intriguing cover for a Japanese booklet/brochure from the nineties/noughties. The info on what it was linked to has long since been lost in my files, but I'm assuming it was for some kind of celebration concert to George Lucas and his epic creation.

CLASSIC IMAGE: VADER IN SPACE!

Like a threatening version of a Force ghost, the iconic image of Darth Vader conquers space in this lovely rare Japanese poster art for Return of the Jedi, from 1983.

ROGUE ONE: LATEST NEWS (MARCH 2017)

The striking use of colour outlining the threatening visage of an Imperial Death Trooper (plus a nice insert featuring Darth Vader) makes for a memorable cover to the Japanese premiere magazine timed alongside the theatrical release of ROGUE ONE.

Latest news links before Blu-ray/DVD release: 

Marvel's 'Rogue One' comic adaptation: Go inside

Gareth Edwards REDDIT chat: I am Gareth Edwards, director of Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. Ask me anything! : movies

Gareth Edwards Explains Why We'll Probably Never See Those 'Rogue One' Alternate Scenes | Fandango

Gareth Edwards Explains How He Came Up With the Name "Scarif" | The Star Wars Underworld

Rogue One director explains why the original ending didn't work and says Darth Vader's big scene was a late addition | GamesRadar+

Re-creating Tarkin & Leia in Rogue One, Plus Star Wars Trivia...ON A ROLLERCOASTER! - YouTube

Rogue One Star Wars pilot - how did Gold Leader return? Actor Angus MacInnes reveals how he rerecorded his scenes for the X-Wing battle

Actress who played Leia in Rogue One wants to do spin-off | Daily Mail Online

A Hi-Res Look At The User Interfaces of ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ | Star Wars News Net

Star Wars Exclusive: A Pilot’s Perspective — Benjamin Hartley

Immersive 'Rogue One' Experience Coming to SXSW | The Star Wars Underworld

Origin of Darth Vader's Lightsaber to Be Revealed in New Comic - IGN

Rogue One concept art shows the birth of Darth Vader's shadowy lair, an explosive X-wing attack, and more | GamesRadar+

CLASSIC ART: CHARACTER CHRONOLOGY!

Back in the days when the first Expanded Universe incarnation meant a lot to the Lucasfilm publishing empire, this lovely cover to the Japanese edition of the STAR WARS ESSENTIAL CHRONOLOGY edition of 2000, superior to anything printed elsewhere, wasn't afraid to bring the written and filmic universes together, as exemplified by the additions of then new favourites like Mara Jade, Grand Admiral Thrawn and Prince Xizor, alongside the iconic film heroes and baddie we'd loved since 1977.

CLASSIC IMAGE: STORYTELLING COLLECTIVE!

The growing conflict between the Jedi and the reemergent threat of the Sith is a key element to the cover of this recently published Japanese storybook for EPISODE II, whose frontage also manages to snugly fit in the lighter, romantic aspect of the Prequel film via Padme Amidala, looking delightful in her Naboo picnic outfit and Leia-esque hair buns.

CLASSIC ART: THE JEDI THAT WAS, THE JEDI THAT WILL BE...

He'll be the mostly hidden underpinnings to the ultimate story of THE FORCE AWAKENS at cinemas this Xmas, but the earlier conceived, printed Expanded Universe was able to tell an altogether different future history for Luke Skywalker and his new Jedi Order, during the novel adventures of the nineties onwards. This is the impressive Japanese cover (artist unknown, possibly by stalwart Japanese SW universe giant Tsuyoshi Nagano, though I can't confirm this) for the first volume of Kevin J. Anderson's Jedi Academy Trilogy: Jedi Search.

For more on the worldwide art for this series, head here: The Early Bantam Era: John Alvin | Roqoo Depot

CLASSIC ART: FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GIANTS...

As all-new chapters of the franchise prepare to blow fans away over the next eight years, and with a second teaser trailer for EPISODE VII debuting Stateside in just a few short weeks, here's a visual reminder and celebration of the great original characters created by George Lucas for his six beloved and groundbreaking STAR WARS movies, as well as the Expanded Universe heroes and villains that would be born from its foundations to become equally successful with fans and critics.

What comes next from the new-look LUCASFILM and DISNEY, in the wake of Lucas's passing the torch, has a lot to live up to...

The Star Wars Digital Movie Collection Coming April 10 | StarWars.com
Star Wars: The Digital Movie Collection - YouTube

THE POSTER ART OF 'STAR WARS' - DAY EIGHT: BEYOND TOMORROWLAND WITH 'STAR TOURS'!

To celebrate the UK release (14th October, 2014) of the beautiful new STAR WARS ART: POSTERS book, compiled by J.W. Rinzler, published by ABRAMS BOOKS, AFICIONADO presents some if its favourite art/poster pieces linked to the six films, and beyond...

Taking passengers on the ride of their lives through ice asteroids and space battles involving Rebel and Imperial forces, the charming simulator adventure that is STAR TOURS remains as popular with visitors and STAR WARS fans to the DISNEY themes parks as it did back with its original launch in the late eighties. And this tour poster art, for the Japanese Disneyland Tomorrowland area, would be a fine encapsulation of everything guest travellers would soon participate in, with Artoo and Threepio, our overall guides to the STAR WARS universe inside the spaceport/droid holding facility, greeting visitors as they go into the infinite and exciting domains of George Lucas's classic universe...

Get hold of STAR WARS ART: POSTERS here: Star Wars Art: Posters: Amazon.co.uk: Drew Struzan, Lucasfilm Ltd, Roger Kastel: Books

CLASSIC ART: AN 'EMPIRE' TIGHTENS ITS GRIP!

An atmospheric piece of Japanese poster concept artwork (we assume) representing the main players of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, courtesy of Noriyoshi Ohrai, and which, as far as I'm aware, first made an appearance via the STAR WARS GALAXY card series a few years back.

▶ RARE 1980 "The Empire Strikes Back" interviews and the future of Star Wars. - YouTube

CLASSIC IMAGE: A RISING SUN OF MERCHANDISE...

A rare shot of some late seventies Japanese merchandise linked to STAR WARS, the promotion adapting the classic Vader head/X-wing image used on American T-shirts of the time.

CLASSIC IMAGE: LOOK INTO MY EYES!

Those early distinctive red eyes of Darth Vader glare through with evil intent on the cover of this great Japanese STARLOG magazine cover number one, circa 1978/9. I adore those strikingly designed Japanese sci-fi magazines- there's a true love and devotion to the genre, full of rare imagery and artwork.

CLASSIC ART: EPISODE I BLASTS OFF!

Another fantastic example of Japanese art for the Prequel saga, this time from 1999 for a magazine cover promoting EPISODE I. If anything could get audiences into cinemas to see an exciting new STAR WARS film, this visual marvel surely did the trick.

I can't wait to see what new and exciting art will herald the eagerly anticipated Sequels from 2015 onwards...

CLASSIC IMAGE: JAPANESE 'JEDI'

The luvly jubbly Japanese poster for 1983's RETURN OF THE JEDI. It's got everything you want in it in depicting the final chapter of the STAR WARS saga. All, that is, except the kitchen sink.

CLASSIC ART: JAPAN'S SUPERB CLASSIC "STAR WARS" BOOK COVERS

During 2008, in its continued celebrations co-inciding with the then upcoming CELEBRATION JAPAN convention in 2008, STARWARS.COM had a super new section, sadly long since deleted with its 2011 revised "new-look"!, on Japanese book cover art on the Original Trilogy and the Exanded Universe. The artwork on display there would prove superb. Obviously in a different style to the US book compositions, so many of the Japanese art pieces have proved so much better, fully capturing what the Saga means to this particular author (and let's not forget those wonderful Manga STAR WARS comics, either!). I think that this particular image, from VISION OF THE FUTURE, is absolutely magnificent-capturing the likenesses of the cast post RETURN OF THE JEDI extremely well (though the Leia image is obviously from EMPIRE). It's a shame that some of the books can't have the option for you to pick your favourite cover when you buy them-this would be my choice.


The beauty of the ever evolving STAR WARS SAGA art will never diminish whilst continually talented new artists join the ranks, bringing welcome new eyes and perspectives to our favourite scenes from the films and series, not only in contributions from Europe and the US, but Japan as well-I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing future covers from that territory (so much of Japanese STAR WARS fandom, and the history of it's popularity there, seems a mystery that I'm aching to see it explored further in sources not only like STARWARS.COM but beyond), especially with the new CLONE WARS series, and when the new live action series eventually debuts.


Check out more Japanese art here: CLASSIC AND PREQUEL JAPANESE STAR WARS/WILLOW BOOK COVERS ART

CLASSIC ART: DISCO "WARS"!

Here's some fun 1978 front and back cover record sleeve art (illustrator unknown), based around the classic Hildebrandt Brothers US poster for another musical interpretation of John Williams classic score for the original STAR WARS. This one - titled the STAR WARS COLLECTORS DISK- created and produced by Japanese talent Osamu Shoji, is an intriguing electronic mix for the Warner-Pioneer label.

Listen to some of the albums lively disco funk tracks here:  Osamu Shoji - Star wars | Mista Tibbz

CLASSIC IMAGE: JAPANESE "JEDI"

The Japanese enduring affection for incredible worlds, spaceships, alien characters and weaponry has never been more apparent than with their posters for the Classic STAR WARS Trilogy, as seen from this great RETURN OF THE JEDI compilation image from 1983. Though Jabba the Hutt and The Emperor are missing (presumably because, at the time the poster was being put together, the characters roles and appearance in the film were still relatively top secret), its got everything else but the kitchen sink thrown into it to entice audiences, and notice how Harrison Ford, with his prior success as Indiana Jones, now gets a separate photo section near the title.

A spectacular poster for a worthy conclusion to the Saga...