NEW YEAR, OLD FAVOURITES!

More enjoyed and discussed than ever, the original six-film George Lucas-created character era of the Star Wars galaxy (1977 - 2005) thrives in this great poster art from a few years back by popular US genre veteran, Matt Busch.

'HAPPY HALLOWEEN!' - 2019

With its 20th anniversary continuing, it's only right that EPISODE I gets in on the crazy Halloween act, as seen in this great poster art re-imagining for The Zombie Menace, from the mind and brushwork of the ever-talented Matt Busch.

'HAPPY HALLOWEEN!' TO ALL READERS WORLDWIDE!

THE 'HOLIDAY SPECIAL' AT 40: THE LONG CLIMB!

It's dangerous and dirty work for Chewbacca and his new 'friend' Boba Fett as they climb the side mountains leading to the Imperial-occupied Panna City, amidst their search for a cure to the mysteriously afflicted Han Solo and Luke Skywalker back at the Falcon, in this great Nelvana Animation moment from the ever-popular animated segment - The Faithful Wookiee (apparently written by Lucas himself) of the 1978 The Star Wars Holiday Special.

More on the animated development of Boba Fett:
https://www.starwars.com/news/the-star-wars-holiday-special-boba-fett

With thanks to Chris Baker.

CLASSIC ART: BROTHERHOOD OF THE FORCE!

Our favourite family heroes and villains pose, lightsabers ready, against the backdrop of intergalactic war and emerging tech firepower, in this fine saga bridging art by Matt Busch for a STAR WARS GALAXY card series from a few years back.

'RAIDERS' AT 35: A POTPOURRI OF ADVENTURE!

All the classic elements that would make Harrison Ford, Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark such an international success with audiences are present and correct in this lovely poster art by modern movie poster superstar Matt Busch that was an exclusive for the German CELEBRATION EUROPE of a few years back, and a timely reminder of why we all still love it now with its 35th Anniversary this coming July.

Recent INDIANA JONES news:

Indiana Jones: Harrison Ford to appear in fifth film - BBC News
Indiana Jones 5: John Rhys-Davies wants to return as Sallah
Indiana Jones 5: Harrison Ford is the only Indiana Jones, producer says | EW.com
Frank Marshall: Harrison Ford One and Only ‘Indiana Jones’ | Variety
Kit West Dead: 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' Visual Effects Artist Was 80 - Hollywood Reporter

THE POSTER ART OF 'STAR WARS' - DAY SEVEN: A NEXT OF KIN TO CHAOS!

In celebration of the newly released and beautiful new STAR WARS ART: POSTERS book, compiled by J.W. Rinzler, published by ABRAMS, AFICIONADO presents some of its favourite art/poster pieces linked to the six films, and beyond...

Now officially canon recognised as a character within the STAR WARS universe, deadly Sith apprentice to Count Dooku, Asajj Ventress, would make a fine onscreen debut within the hugely popular CLONE WARS micro-series and the later 2008 onwards series. Here she's the centrepiece of some lovely work by Matt Busch for the souvenir program cover of one of the early STAR WARS FAN DAY events that took place in Texas, USA.

Matt Busch official site: "The Rock Star of Illustration" -Real Detroit Weekly

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

CLASSIC ART: REVENGE OF THE BUSCH!

Anyone who attended the ice-cold but inspiring CELEBRATION III event in Indianapolis during 2005 would remember what an exciting time it was, literally taking place mere weeks before REVENGE OF THE SITH arrival in worldwide cinemas. When not watching the special, and quite superb, sneak-peek showreel hosted by the now LUCASFILM departed Rick McCallum, or sleeping rough and enduring some of the worst weather conditions to try and see a George Lucas panel, fans were buying up and enjoying all kinds of EPISODE III related tie-ins, be they the official novelisation, souvenir magazines and OFFICIAL PIX images by the bucket load. It was pretty hard trying to keep all the spoilers away!

Particularly adding to the impact of the event was the numerous great art on display by so many talented people, especially Matt Busch, who really came into his own that year, providing this stellar piece linked to the event and the anticipated movie. Enthusiastic as ever, Matt is now celebrating his 20th year drawing supreme STAR WARS art to the highest standards, so we at STAR WARS AFICIONADO thank him for his tireless energy and artistic flair.

Looking forward to seeing your upcoming EPISODE VII work, which I'm sure you're already contracted for by now!

STAR WARS AFICIONADO MAGAZINE: CLASSIC ART: MATT BUSCH's WORLD OF 'STAR WARS'

THE TRUE SOUND OF 'STAR WARS' - BRIAN DALEY's 1981 ODYSSEY RETURNS!

Back to delight your listening senses: the original STAR WARS RADIO DRAMA. Images: HIGHBRIDGE AUDIO.

As much a part of our STAR WARS experience and heritage as George Lucas's original 1977 cinematic masterpiece, Brian Daley's brilliantly written and staged six and a half hour radio drama adaptation of the film, which first aired on NPR in America in 1981 and on the UK's BBC Radio 4 a short time later, remains as compelling and exciting to listen to as ever, especially in the way it added character and story material to the drama so successfully alongside Ben Burtt's supreme and innovative sound design. Plus, of course, there was the ultimate selling point of an enthusiastic Mark Hamill and Anthony Daniels, returning to reprise their iconic roles of Luke Skywalker and C-3PO.

Anthony Daniels and Mark Hamill at the original studio recordings.

Now, HIGHBRIDGE AUDIO are re-releasing the stellar original adaptation in a new and exclusive limited run (7,500) MP3-CD, available in two special covers: the "Light Side" and "Dark Side", featuring some lovely showcase art from Matt Busch and Randy Martinez respectively (correspondingly available to the package cover as included TOPPS card). There's also a half-hour look at the making of the radio drama (including interviews, radio promos), and a lovely 12-page booklet featuring images from the recording sessions and the original movie.

You haven't "seen" STAR WARS until you've heard it!

The "Dark Side" cover to the release.

Audio excerpt: http://www.highbridgeaudio.com/media/sound/9781622313259.mp3

Rediscover the sound experience of the all-time classic here:

Star Wars: The Original Radio Drama - Topps Collectors' Editions - Details - HighBridge Audio

Star Wars: A New Hope - The Original Radio Drama, Topps "Light Side" Collector’s Edition by George Lucas - Original Radio Broadcast - HighBridge Audio

Star Wars: A New Hope - The Original Radio Drama, Topps "Dark Side" Collector’s Edition by George Lucas - Original Radio Broadcast - HighBridge Audio

With thanks to HIGHBRIDGE AUDIO for the press information.

CLASSIC ART: MATT BUSCH's WORLD OF 'STAR WARS'

A lovely tribute to Drew Struzan's retro movie poster for STAR WARS in 1978, Matt Busch's own "Circus" poster acts as fine promotion for EPISODE III's character packed incidents and excitement.

Check out Ian Trussler's interview with Matt Busch here: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B80ITjM31EVRaWYxY1EyMEhjbzA/edit?usp=sharing

Please note: with GOOGLE PDFs, its best to download the files to your desktop to see them in their original quality.

CELEBRATING THE 'ATTACK'...

Terrific art by Matt Busch for EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES.

Happy Tenth Anniversary today to STAR WARS: EPISODE II - ATTACK OF THE CLONES, the film that gave us the important romance between Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala, the rise of the Dark Side, the Battle of Geonosis and the start of the infamous Clone Wars. Oh, and let's not forget the first appearances of Count Dooku, Jango and Boba Fett, the Kaminoans, Geonosians, lots more Jedi, and last, but certainly not least, the ultimate kick-ass event: the first lightsaber duel for Yoda!

The terrific first teaser trailer for the movie: Star Wars Attack Of The Clones Teaser 1 HD - YouTube

"ATTACK OF THE CLONES" AT TEN!

The overall STAR WARS Saga in 2012 has a lot to celebrate: not only the original first film hitting thirty-five, and the current CLONE WARS series now in its fifth year (with Dave Filoni fully confirming the next season online several days back via his FACEBOOK page), but also with the incoming Tenth Anniversary of Prequel adventure EPISODE II: ATTACK OF THE CLONES, which makes a welcome return to cinemas screens in 3-D later in the year.

We'll be concurrently celebrating all three landmarks this year across the AFICIONADO sites, and here's out first tribute to ATTACK, with Matt Busch's superb artwork for the film via the 2002 CELEBRATION II convention magazine cover. I'm sure you'll agree the piece captures all the films memorable ingredients and characters well.

To see more of Matt's stylish and inventive work, and purchase some great exclusive items, head over to the link here: The Rock Star of Illustration - Real Detroit Weekly

And check out Ian Trussler's interview with Matt for AFICIONADO here: MATT BUSCH INTERVIEW