The Clone Emperor

Recent citings; Darth Bane, Fan Days III Sketch Card sketch by Tom Hodges costume modeled by Thomas Spanos I stumbled upon this today at the Underground Studio web galleries. Apparently it is a commissioned custom. I have inquired about reciprocal links--and the possibility of trading some big orbalisks for wee little ones. Be well, Thomas

Good morning, An "Official LFL event" is like a private party with a guest list. If one decides to "just show up" without an invite it would be considered rude, and may even have consequences both within the Legion and from LFL. Just like a party crasher. The type of Official LFL events you might have in mind these days are not even 501st events. They are LFL marketing driven, drawing from 501st membership as a reliable and inexpensive/free pool of costumers to promote what they believe is best for sales. In most cases, characters that are discussed on The Flagship Eclipse would not fit into LFL's Marketing designs. For the moment, it is all Clone Wars all the tyme. And that is OK, it is their business. There's a difference between an Official LFL event and an Official 501st/LFL event. An Official 501st/LFL event is when LFL wants to promote the 501st as part of its event. Usually, it serves LFL Marketing needs best to focus on Star Wars, not SW fan clubs. At a public event, costume as you please. But please don't crash a private LFL party/event, especially in an Expanded Universe costume. It would reflect poorly not only the 501st, but on The Flagship Eclipse in specific. Be well, Thomas

Good afternoon, I bring a teaser image of my EWIP*, Darth Bane, Architect of the Sith. It is hard to describe how much of myself is in this suit. I chuckle to think how much cannot be seen and assure myself that it is all worth while. This image was taken at 5:00 am today, with just enough juice in the camera for 6 images. More images to come as the project develops. Be well, Thomas *Eternal Work In Progress.

Post your images here. Darth Nihilus is not an easy costume. It is the one I defer for revision most often. I am happy to announce however, we've just had two new Nihilus graduates last night. These along the other proud few who made it through the gauntlet may chime in with advise. Do post here.

To set the matter straight, I have just learned that Rabbit Tooth does credit both Bill as Kyle Kartan and myself as Darth Bane on his gallery (But not Gina as Bastilla). The credit appears disembodied from the images, tucked away at the very bottom of his main page. While this fits with his word to credit the image, it does not travel with the images as used. Instead, the viewer is treated to his web addresses. I'll not fault him for that, but if he's to use the work of other artists I feel the originating artist's credit must proceed any listing of his own. I bring this up here as a matter of discussion only. Really, I need to address the wallpaper maker himself. I don't want to burn bridges, I just need to present this in a light he can understand.

When Rabbit Tooth first asked to use my Darth Bane image last year, he asked what credit I'd like. I responded that the suit was still not finished but when it was I'd like the same credit that appears on all my served images; my web address + my name. I was disappointed to see that did not manifest in the image he placed online. Now in a related thread I see he's appropriated another image of mine, this tyme without attempt to contact me; Gina as Bastila Shan with lighting fx's added; Rabbit Tooth's revision; Star War's is a vast universe of inspiration to draw from. And many have contributed to its development. While it is understood the George Lucas started the vehicle, I find it caddy not to credit individual artists along the way.

vs Before molding, take a moment to compare against the character you attempting to recreate. To my eye the nose and philtrum slit are too wide and should be adjusted to better resemble the source. It is a subtle detail, but one that can really change how the costume is perceived. Be well, Thomas

Me alegra que completaste la disfraz de Darth Nihilus tuya. He tenido miedo que nosotros en el 501st te faltamos a la causa de demasiados revisiones. Pura vida.

Detachments do not determine what characters are accepted in the 501st Legion. This is the sole role of the Legion Membership Officer. Popularity must, by necessity play ZERO part in the decision. It will not be until a completed 100% accurate costume with full references is presented that the question of inclusion even becomes relevant. This is a straw poll.

From Rebelscum's archive; It is actually very nice for a miniature, I made sure to pick it up the week it came out in 2006. Should not be too hard to pick up still.

I believe this is the only version of Komari Vosas's costume that will be considered for 501st purposes. On the plus side, I believe it is a good reference for all aspects of the costume.

A true follower of the Bogan if ever there were. Thank you for sharing. So glad to have you back.

I think I just uploaded the last of my special references. I'll need admin to verify the success of that and display the images if this worked. I have been holding on to these, waiting for someone who might do the project justice. Be well, Thomas

Good evening, The term Bathrobe Sith comes to mind when viewing the two images of Xanatos. I would in fact, be vexed to find any distinction from the nameless and dreaded black-hooded halloween costume/store-bought sabre combo and the "design" of Xanatos. You might find three references for this look. But I am still not convinced that such a "costume" would be a fair match with the effort or appearance of any other 501st costume. And that concerns me. Before The Flagship Eclipse was formed, I fielded complaints about low standards for EU costumes. The generic Bathrobe Sith was often top of the list of complaints. I will not casually endorse that look without an extraordinary costume to champion it. 501st or no, it would be possible to "own" this costume, this character. Take it far beyond a generic black robe and fx vader sabre. Define what the character would actually wear under the robe. Be well, Thomas

As a gift for my best friend and for the experience, I set out to make this sabre for Demon. The base sabre was largely done when I acquired it in person at the Ultrasabers workshop. (Yes I flew out to visit the shop.) At the tyme, it looked much like this; The pieces I obtained where the last of the run. They did not quite fit together as the original parts had been misplaced since the initial run. When I returned home, I met with my local prop group and mounted the piece in a steel lathe to attend to reshaping the pieces to meet with greater tolerance. It was my first foray into machine work--and I enjoyed it. After the pieces were made to fit again, I counter sunk the power switch into the pommel. I also cut the ring details into the neck to better match the game sabre. Then I set out to ignite the sabre. I had intended to us 2 AA batteries, but after my fitting modifications, no AA battery housing configuration would fit in the sabre. So I used 2 C cells without housing. These just barely fit into the sabre body. i used the sabre body itself to complete the circuit. This was a labour of love. For someone I love dearly. Happy Birthday Demon.

Matt, awesome Kashyyyk Trooper. I was thrilled to see these in person and so well done. Here's another image of Mary Ellen from Byran Humphrey, this one with a nice D*C TV message;

Here's a nice image of the generic sabre Revan and most all other KOTOR I and II carry.

I do hope that this discussion goes two ways, that individuals will give real consideration to the points offered by "senior" officers on the topic. This is the fallen Jedi Master Atris after assuming the role of Darth Traya An individual working on the port of KOTOR II from the gaming platform to PC presented this, along with all the grey background renders of KOTOR characters you see floating on the internet. (I met the man a prop workshop several years ago and was directed to his files for dissemination.) However, I never promoted the complete set of Atris's fall to the Dark Side as that storyline was never completed. (In brief, Kriea would have either renounced or is otherwise become unable to return to the title of Darth Traya. In the vacuum, Atris falls and assumes the roll.) If your sole intent is make a costume for 501st recognition, then I recommend an approved costume, like the Sith Lord Darth Traya, (who began as a Sith Lord, had a moment of soul searching as Kreia, and returned to her role as Sith Lord.) If there is a costume you simply want to do, do it. If done well, such a costume might win a costume contest. Or not. These things are fickle, there are no guarantees. I am not against a well-done Jedi Master (white librarian costume) Atris in the Legion. The lady from Britain at Celebration Europe was especially well done, down to the lightsabre. But I would be responsible for fielding the backlash. And there would be backlash. (If you could only be a fly on the wall on the endless prattle surrounding Clone Wars character acceptance, you might wonder where the fun of being a Legion member went to. I do.) I can deal with backlash, so long as I believe in the costume and appropriateness of the character behind it. I believe the points raised in this thread are valid in theory, but require an excellent costume with no expense spared to be put into practice in a Legion. Good luck. ¿Can someone quote Atris's final words from the game? ¿Are they scripted--one possible set of text, or does she have several possible dialogues, depending on your actions?

Cape should be brown. I don't recall seeing images of the backs of female Imperial Knights in the entire Legacy series, but I can speak with certainty that the armour is not significantly different between the sexes. I would strongly recommend making the amour from scratch. Be well, Thomas

Here's Jeff at the New York Comic Con, in 2008; These images are Jeff Carlisle's interpretation of Imperial Knight creator Jan Duursema's design. These sketches were made for the Star Wars Miniatures. PLEASE NOTE; If you are looking to recreate the Legacy Imperial Knight these sketches are not 100% accurate. 1. The guantlets should not be enclosed 2. The half skirt should be replaced by 8 tabbards extending from the 8 panels of the undershirt. 3. The back shoulder armour is missing. All other details are well represented. Jeff does amazing work, but does not always have the full research available to him for certain jobs. For 501st acceptance the entire, canon costume must be recreated. Be well, Thomas

Glad I got to see you Melanie. Here's a nice group shot from fellow Legionnaire, Ara Roselani;

Not all Imperials are evil. Not all Imperials of the Legacy Era are aligned against the Alliance and/or Jedi. In fact, Imperial Knights were specifically withheld from battle with Alliance and Jedi forces on orders of the Emperor they serve, the True Emperor Roan Fel. NO Imperial Knights serve Darth Krayt's Empire. And above the their duty to the Empire, to the Emperor himself, comes their duty to the Light Side of the Force. (Legacy 29.) Over the course of this discussion I have come back to support Imperial Knights in the Legion on virtue of the very first argument offered by creator Jan Duursema; "They are Imperial." This will become an issue for consideration in the 501st when someone completes an Imperial Knight costume matching the designs and specifications as suggested by Jan Duursema's illustrations; I personally hope to add my own suit to my Legion roster one day. But I will have to complete it first. Be well, Thomas

I came across this last night and thought it was stunning portrait of our Lady Maladi. Click this link to view the original, or if you are simply fond of resolution so high you can count the subject's pores; Jonathan McIntosh's Flickr account Be well, Thomas

One cannot tell from the image provided as it is a fan made scene; 1. Darth Traya is never a part of your party. 2. The scripted sabre wielding Darth Traya uses one sabre. 3. Notice the sabre is held by a shadow of a hand--by the tyme Darth Traya is revealed to the gamer, her hand has been cut off. Her alter ego/alias Kriea can be outfitted with whatever sabre, lightsabre, or gun combo the player fancies. That is why only her scripted appearance is acceptable for membership in the 501st. We need a screen shot of Darth Traya's sabre from the flash backs. (I am not sure her sabre is shown in the flashback, before she lost her hand to Darth Sion. I am reworking my way through KOTOR up KOTOR II for confirmation of such details for my own interests. The sabres she summons for the final battle are a product of Sith alchemy. Need a better image to determine the sabre model used here. I personally would support either of the KOTOR sabre base models for membership, so long as the costume was done well. (Just don't forget the PINK bow on the hilt!) Be well, Thomas

I have to chuckle lightly to myself; I really like your "side by side" comparisons. Great work Mary Ellen. I have been watching the work on your own costumes, as well as your influence on the work of others. And I am really impressed. You have great attention to detail and a strong understanding of your subjects. Your humility is itself humbling. Makes me smile. Be well, Thomas