The Clone Emperor

¿How did you phrase it, something to the effect of being basically sweet and good with just a drop of Evil? I appreciate your evil side. Lovely images Pam.

Good afternoon, In no particular order, I present a handful of Flagship Eclipse related images form my Wizard World Chicago Comic Con 2009 event gallery; Justin Chung, Character illustrator and supporter of SW:EU digs his merchandise. Kristin as Phoenix and Imperial Knight Ganner Krieg. Sara from Midwest Garrison as Mara Jade. Sara again as Mara Jade undercover as the professional dancer Arica. In keeping with the preference in red heads for covert Imperial operations, The Clone Emperor trains a new "Hand", Christy Hemme. Doung Wangler, aka Quinlan Vos, aka Imperial Knight Antares Draco, shows a little mini-him lov'n. To visit the entire gallery please follow this link; (Click the banner to visit the gallery.) Be well, Thomas

Excellent. This is a suit I have been working on for sometyme. As such, I can appreciate its intimate details. In that light I say your costume is progressing nicely. I would assume the bottom photo is digitally enhanced--to great effect I might add. Two questions; 1. ¿Might I ask, are the parts hand sculpted or refined from Pepakura constructions? 2. ¿What is the inspiration for the green helmet? I look forward to your work Rob, and I am really happy to see you consider joining the 501st at last. Be well, Thomas

Simple and 501st costuming are not words that fit together well in the same thought. Simple and Halloween bar costume contest maybe. I advise to research this costume thoroughly. Much more so than the few Wikipedia screen grabs here. Hunt down your own full model renders to strengthen your references. Try sketching the character based on those references front to back. Build the costume head to boot as accurately as possible. Forget the costs of tyme and money. Consider making the costume a learning experience. Share your progress and discoveries with this group. There is no guarantee such a costume would ever be considered for 501st membership. Less so for a simple, less identifiable, background character from an out of print EU game title. But 501st consideration should not be the drive for such a creation. If the point is to become a 501st member, then I recommend finding and assembling Stormtrooper armour. (And take the tyme to assemble the armour well.) Be well, Thomas

Thank you Joe. After posting this I best make for bed lest I inscribe permanent dark circles about my own eyes. Tonight, I am tickled to share this recent appearance of The Emperor Reborn from the Star Wars: The Essential Atlas; Illustration by Chris Trevas. Chris contacted me last year with a reference request. The final illustration is meant to resemble a younger Ian McDiarmid. The Essential Atlas officially went on sale today. Be well, Thomas

Good afternoon, This response is divided by topic; Hairstyle and facial scars Yes, hair style and colour requirments will remain firm for this character--as it is for 501st's "Dark" Anakin. Indeed hair style and colour, facial scars/unique skin features are the only additional requirements asked of individuals applying as face characters in the 501st Legion. ¿Mara Jade without long red hair? ---Incogitable ¿Anakin as Darth Vader without the facial scar he received from Asajj Ventress? ---absurb If The Rebel Legion says the beard is optional for ANH Obi Wan Kenobi, far be it for the 501st Legion, George Lucas, or anyone else to say otherwise. By the same token, one should not be surprised when a club that does require the character's iconic beard is regarded for having higher standards by the public. The appearance of the secret apprentice on his TIE Factory assult bears wounds and injuries before he steps into battle. These are considered part of his canon appearance; The 501st "goal" is not to recreate a video game or comic character but rather bring the character to life on par with big screen characters portrayed in flesh and blood using all available reference. 501st and Rebel Legion Standards The 501st Legion and its younger sister group, The Rebel Legion, may claim some of the same characters, but our costume standards do not intentionally overlap. Where they do, it has been by coincidence and not design; The 501st Legion's standards are drawn from available LFL reference. The focus is on recreating and bringing existing characters to life. The Rebel Legion's founding charter allowed for custom and Star-Wars inspired characters. In recent years and as I understand it, The Rebel Legion has begun recognizing two classes of costumes; formal--based on canon reference, and informal--grandfathered custom creations. Weapon and other Prop requirements At the onslaught of America's "war on terror" many of our members reported that they were not allowed to carry weapons of any kind into conventions. With this in consideration, Stormtroopers in the 501st are not required to bare arms. And while the Blastech E-11 is officially considered optional, any trooper I know would feel nekid without one. The same would follow for the secret apprentice. Fabric recommendations If a certain fabric is suggested to meet a standard, consider it an aide while on your travels to the fabric store. If after detailed research of your own you believe you have come across a better match, submit it and see if the majority agrees. Your find may become the new standard. It may help to think of fabric recommendations in terms of paint brand and colour. There are many reds out there. But the fellow who has researched and matched the colour for the Royal Guard is doing others a favour in sharing what he or she uses; I think folk really have it confused when they believe that 501st requires certain things of costumers. As a costuming community, the 501st can approve the costumes they want to represent their founding ideals. And conversely, as a costumer, you can do what you want with your creation. I recommend doing what you want first. If it happens to match some club's standards and you want to be in that club, so much the better. If not, that is fine too. You still will have the costume you wanted. Be well, Thomas

Thank you for the images Randy. I actually may have a very special use for the one with the Sunglasses--but nothing I can talk about yet. The back image of my olde cape makes me wince. I am so glad I upgraded from last year. The know cape is of a richer fabric and employees twice as much material for a more dramatic flow. Your questions; Not cemented. Infact, my upper bells detach from the lower bells for travel and storage. Fpr this I use Chicago Screws; No real industry secrets to be had here, I simply used industrial velcro with the "hook" material adhered to the underside of the shoulder bells and shoulder plates. The "furry" part was sewn on to the top of the cape. I hate to say it, but I think I will have to recommend leather for the sleeves, neck and skirt. For the Torso I suggest a costume from fitting eight-paneled and black work-out material. Be well, Thomas

vs; Ultrasaber's Rifter If your purpose is to make an accurate prop, I'd say The RIfter's body appears too thin to lathe the neck and butt cap groves. But as a stunt prop, it would work well in a pinch. Be well, Thomas

If the goal is to be topless, using make-up and as little prosthetic as possible, I might suggest another option; Of course, Sith Lord Detachment standards still apply for the costume for Legion Approval; Please understand, my posts are not meant to the topic starter alone, but for anyone interested in costuming Darth Sion in the 501st Legion. Be well, Thomas

¿Zombie? Darth Sion is a motley of fragmented flesh, held together by hatred alone. For anyone attempting to do this suit for 501st consideration--the ultimate goal of all discussion on this board--a very labour intensive project awaits. Starting with a body cast and sculpture. I do not mean to dissuade. In fact, I fully support the serious attempt. I want only to see it done well, as if the character just walked out the movie screen. Be well, Thomas

Done correctly, I would imagine a well done Darth Sion, would be considerably less comfortable to troop in than a Biker Scout. For 501st consideration, I will be looking for a full upper body suit, likely in silicon. Considerably more expensive than say, a high level Darth Vader costume is to put together, it will be a lot more work too. To get an idea of the labour required to pull this off, look at the making of Hellboy DVD. Ron Pearlman is a well buit actor. But to become Hellboy, he was encased in a body prosthetic, from the top of his head down. And the results were convincing. I have seen one man attempt Darth Sion as body make-up. Owing to the technique he employed to create the character's tortured flesh, he had done quite a bit of damage to his own skin. To add insult to injury, the effect fell off before he could reach the convention floor. Darth SIon is not a character to attempt lightly. Executed with due consideration and effort however will garner well earned accolades. Gauntlet dropped, Thomas Spanos

That is strange. I ran a search for the review under "Maris" and came up with zero hits in the Legion's GML forum. Or perhaps the review Pam alludes to was one of those "off -the-record" pm discussions. I prefer semi-public accountability myself. No matter. I will look to Pam's input when a fully completed Maris Brood is presented to the Legion's GML team for consideration. That's a hint. ¡Let's get Broody!

¿One has been submitted for approval? Gosh. I sure do hope that they tell that to the Legion Membership Officer. I here tell he is an EU fan and would likely love to see such a character well represented in the Legion.

I have been waiting for a dedicated costumer to pick up this torch. You'll have quite of bit of facial and arm scarring to approximate this creature correctly. I'll suggest using a collodion as I have seen it put to grand effect for Dengar costumes in the Legion. This is a serious character requiring serious consideration. I'll be watching this thread for serious effort. I'll have something more to contribute to the topic at that point. Be well, Thomas

A recent image of the Darth Krayt action figure hosted at Jedifender.com for your consideration.

Please note; The above is not the final version of the Sith Robes seen in The Force Unleashed. It is the promotional version commissioned by Lucas Arts for Celebration Europe; The version seen in the final game is markedly less flashy; (Thank you for the image MothMonty) Due to the strident support of the UKG GML, both versions are acceptable for 501st membership. Be well, Thomas

Good morning, Your GML, Thorsten, turned to me for pointers on the review of this suit, the same day you declared your suit was finished here. I am the volunteer Legion Membership Officer. While I consult Pam on difficult reviews, final word on EU costumes ultimately filters through me. It is not always a fun position to man. Neither is GML, nor DL. Please do not be aggravated with the messengers. Here is the lettre I sent in response to Thorsten's inquerry on your behalf; Perhaps it would help to know that of the last three TIE Factory Outfit Secret Apprentices, one was approved; A fine example of a Legion Boushh; Lastly, I never disapprove a costume. This is important. I defer some costumes for upgrade to meet the mean Legion standard. I know there is some quibbling going on in the German Garrison. Quite common actually for a garrison of the GG's size. In the end that need not effect you. You become a member of The 501st Legion, first and foremost, and then a Garrison and then a Squad. Full Detachment Membership is outside of that. I hope you consider this challenge and continue. Let's see who finishes their suit first, yours or my IK. Be well, Thomas

You have my backing. Be sure to point to your reference images. Bravo.

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

This should have been posted long ago; Good evening. I began coaxing TFU reference images for Legion use sometyme before the 2009 elections. Now at last with the assistance of Mary Franklin (LFL), Steve Sandsweet (LFL), Amy Beth Christenson and Manny Lamas (Lucas Arts) we have a modest collection of base model images and promo shots created for The Force Unleahsed. (Images not related to this thread have not been posted.) These images are for dissemination within the 501st and its detachments. The following copyright is to appear with each use of these images; Property of LucasArts. ©2009 Lucasfilm Ltd. ® and ™ TFU Secret Apprentice (TIE Factory outfit) TFU Secret Apprentice (Felucia Act II outfit) Be well, Thomas

The next step? For someone to complete the costume. Front and back, full prosthetic arm and tattoo. No short cuts. Just one long labour of love. It is not until there's a completed costume to contend with that serious consideration for the character's approval in the 501st will begin. Still this discussion will be invaluable when the tyme comes. Be well, Thomas

¡BINGO! And know that such a costume submission for the 501st will be scrutinized very closely. Remember The Ultimate Evil incarnation of Galen Marek has a front, and a back. Tubes and prosthetics. And Zombie Skin. ¡Oh my! To do such a costume just would take years. 1-3 Glorious years.. Be well, Thomas

I can recommend Ultrasabers Their apprentice class sabres are simple, solid work, with well researched materials. A very reliable light prop suitable for personal customization; Kristen (seen here without hulahoop--gasp) and myself with a blue Ultrasabers Apprentice hilt and blade. Their custom work requires tyme and money and patience. This is natural for good work. I am very happy with my Darth Bane special effects comics styled hilt. (I still plan to make my own.) Ultra Sabers is not the only game in town and many others provide comparable services. However, they are well established and five different sabres from their line later, I'd say your order with Ultrasabers is in good hands. Be well, Thomas

¡Bravo! Greetings Andrea, Images of your suit surfaced on the 501st last week. A very solid recreation. ¿Latex over foam? I was so excited about your debut that I posted images to Jan Duursema's board; Darth Krayt in Italy You may want to chime in---wait, I see that you have. ¡Good show! I should imagine to meet in person at the next Jedi Con--¿Berlin?--if not sooner. ¡Bravo!

I can now share this pencil work portrait from Jan, from a SW Legacy panel appearing in issue 35. I recognize there might be a conflict of interests going on here. I am the 501st Legion Membership Officer. As such, I want to make darn sure that my own costume is as close to the supplied references--which I study religiously--as a 501st Stormtrooper approved costume is to a movie Stormtrooper. I could just approve my own costume, but I know it is not complete, and that would present a poor example for and officer. The first Republic Commando in the Legion simply appeared one day without review; The member had access to the Legion database and just approved himself. 501st Reviewed Republic Commandos look a bit different; I won't throw something up just to be first, but I would like to reasonable to others whose costumes are close--having all the parts of the suit and armour is my cut-off. Be well, Thomas