The Clone Emperor

This represents a nice circle for me; 1993 Inspired by Star Wars and the work of Timothy Zahn, Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy created Dark Empire, one of the first Dark Horse SW: Expanded Universe tales. The Clone Emperor is introduced as the main villain. 1998 Hasbro creates their first Clone Emperor action figure as part of their Expanded Universe line. 2002 I learn of the Dark Empire tales after discovering the Hasbro Clone Emperor action figure. I make my Clone Emperor as my very first "convention costume" to wear at Star Wars Celebration II. 2005 I am surprised to find myself illustrated by Joe Corroney as The Clone Emperor in the Star Wars Insider Issue 83 2006 Meaning well, my friends send me a forged lettre "from Hasbro" saying I had been chosen as the model for the retooling of their Clone Emperor. It was not meant to be a cruel gesture, but a cute way of introducing a gift they had made together; Darth Elmo. 1985 Austrian rock singer Falco oops... Back in March (2008) I was contacted for reference images to be used in an upcoming LFL project. I could not however, confirm the nature of the project until recently. Even then I was asked not share the art work until the product was released. SInce I ran across the little guys at a Toys 'R Us today, I feel it is safe to share this; Hasbro Comic 2-pack Dark Empire II panel art by Brian Rood The Clone Emperor by Thomas Spanos From Rebelscum.com; (Click to enlarge) The only the art is based on my costume, not the figure. If you look closely at the art for Luke, you may notice that from the waist up, Luke's attire is based on the flip of this image; For comparison, this is an image of my costume from this year's Dragon*Con (Photo by Postalnik): A nice dark circle. Be well, Thomas

I appreciate the support. There's still a long way to go. Izzie, the image above is 600 by 800 pixels. I am ashamed to admit that after an hour and a half of trying poses with a self tymer, only three images had descent focus emerged. I am still not sure what I did wrong. I had only a few hours to make the deadline and the above image worked well enough for my purposes. Feel free to print that, but again the suit is FAR from finished. Bill, the Orbalisks are detailed with multiple flavours of Rub 'n Buff, applied by fingertip. Comes in a surprising array of colours; I'll be sure to post updates as I strive to complete this suit. Until then, I leave you with a snap from the project archives; Be well, Thomas PS I heard from Drew Karpyshyn last night. There will be a third book in the Darth Bane series. He was almost apologetic for having the second installment end with Bane losing the Orbalisks. Drew explained he could not envision Darth Zannah ever defeating Bane with the armour in place. I myself am quite OK with the turn of events. It is how you move the story forward and develop a character.

An update; Inspired by the deadline set by the 2008 Rebelscum Halloween Costume Contest, I turned my focus to arriving at a wearable version of my beloved Darth Bane costume. I consider the image above to be a test fitting of the work in progress, with several components left to fabricate and others to finish. I so look forward to having a new suit to wear to events next year. Be well, Thomas

Well done Erin, I have not studied the details of Maris Brood to the level I would for 501st membership review, but for what I have seen of the character you have pulled it off well. The costume compliments your beauty quite naturally. It is really wonderful when this happens. Kudos! Be well, Thomas

I have not weighed in on individual costumes for this character yet. Nonetheless, your fabric treatment and detailing has drawn me out. Whereas I am not versed well enough in this version of code name Starkiller's to present a full critique, I am impressed with what you have assembled. Kudos to you, Thomas

It all depends on which free fan made font you download. For instance; Aurabesh has the more terrestrial looking numbers. Aurek-Besh has the braille-like number set, and more characters for punctuation and ligatures. I believe the Aurek-Besh was made to make a more complete, and completely alien character set, while the Aurabesh is more in keeping with movie canon. Either way it is all creative fantasy. Almost feels perverse to present points about the details as "facts." Be well, Thomas

Greetings, I have been keeping this project secret for over four months, with the notion I would not surface until it was complete. Now that The Force Unleashed has been released and this character has been revealed, I feel it might serve better to share my progress. It is actually a release for me just to share this much. I am proud to say this is NOT PEPAKURA. Not that there is anything wrong with Pepakura--the software that allows folk to print out the facets of 3-D models for easy assembly--it is just a different animal than sculpting by hand and from scratch. Be well, Thomas

Good evening, I do not mean to sound terribly snippy with this; Changing character requirements explain how one character with limited references might have been accepted to the 501st five years ago while one that no one has even bothered to make a costume of is not. My recommendation, if you are sincere about loving this character enough to make the costume, do it. Present something gorgeous to the Legion and you might make the membership officers reevaluate their policy. Maybe not even then, but then at least you have your costume. Above all, costume for yourself. Costuming a fringe character in the hopes of being the first to be accepted in the 501st is a recipe for deferral. Be well, Thomas

Ah man. The Blood is the most important part.* It is long over due; this is a work of beauty. I love the solutions you have come to and the craftsmanship along the way. Your documentation has been superb and is/will be a great asset to the costuming community at large. When you first showed your work in progress, cropping your head, I wondered if you physical appearance would compliment your efforts. When you finally did show images with your face made up I was relieved. You have the handsome and nobel features to bring your costume to life. I look forward to seeing this in person. And then raising my blade. My first red blade. Be well, *?Think I am kidding? You know what I am working on now. I am very close to the blood stage, right bicep to be precise. This will take weeks to heal.

Good afternoon Susan, I am afraid there's a bit of a misunderstanding. I am no longer the acting Legion Membership Officer. LCO Fordham "refreshed" most of his cabinet this year, including my office. The current 501st LMO is Rhonda Brown. LMO Brown has stated that she is not as versed in matters of Expanded Universe costuming and does in fact look to Detachment Leadership for consultation. In this way, our very capable DL Pam Simpson would be the person to officially support your Darth Traya's approval. Having Demon's green light is a significant plus. Forsooth, I think her backing is the most important one could hope for in getting a Darth Traya approved in the Legion. And really, there's no nicer being to work with. As far as my opinion--for what it is worth--PM your address. You get a prize. (I'd be disappointed if you don't already know what it is.) I'd recommend natural, post-noon, non-flash photography. Also a sabre, or three. Darth Traya's sabre model render, KOTOR II; If I were to critique, I suggest a more natural looking fabric for version two of the robe. This one looks synthetic and while the cut works just fine, the real life feel is missing. But that alone does not stop your outfit from working for me. You have my backing--again for what it is worth. Good luck, and welcome aboard. Thomas

Greetings, Thank you for sharing your progress on this project. The solution you've adopted for your gauntlet closure--shown in a separate thread--is both very effective and handsome. It is inspiring really. I very much like the research, craftsmanship, and tyme that you are applying to this character. It is good work. One thought I would add is to favour the 3-D model over the Hasbro action figure for the details of the armour and dress. Also, ?have you given thought to how you will recreate this Jedi's grey top knot and goatee? Kudos to you, Thomas

Good evening Pam. And thank you for posting this. I have been a fan of Nikki's work since CII; While I have not been a strong supporter of the three reference rule, it does provide a basis of comparison. I'm not sure you are familiar with this SW tales cover; It may not detail the whole character, but it does provide a third "hit" in favour of establishing the "Sith Witch." Be well, Thomas

From our friends at Rebelscum.com I think it is important to recognize that the books do not go into great detail in describing Darth Caedus appearance. A lot is left to the imagination of the reader (and the cover artist.) It is my feeling that it is only a matter of tyme before Caedus has his own figure. I hope by that tyme the artists have clear and unique reference to draw from, be it other illustration or even a very well done costume. Be well, Thomas

I'd like to share a neat update on this project; As a precursor to the second Legacy story arc involving the Imperial Knights, Ganner Krieg makes an appearance in the twenty-third issue. Just over a month before, per artist Jan Duursema's request, I sent in a number of stationary, combat, and piloting poses in costume. While my physical appearance had served as the model for the character, this was the first tyme my actual costume was used as reference by the artist. I find Jan's completed line art transformation of the images to be magical. Be well, Thomas

I have been keeping in trouble, since last I reported on this project. Today I'd like to share a step in my progress. It is difficult to envison just how Darth Bane's exotic body armour would come together as a lifesized, wearable costume, especially when it has never been done before. Experience has taught that the best way to achieve a feel for the final piece is to start putting the parts together. This test configuration is held in place with Elder pins. Even though it may appear I am in the home stretch with this extended project, it will be extended a bit further. I feel the weight of Darth Bane's disappointment, glaring at me from behind his unpainted face mask in the corner of the room. Truth is, I am now diverting my energies towards a secret project, hopefully to be revealed later this year. Be well, Thomas

Jedi-Con 2008 in D?sseldorf was a wonderful international event. I had a great tyme and truly enjoyed the opportunity to meet with Flagship members from around the globe. (This is an image from mio amico Fabrizio's gallery. I'm still processing my images from the weekend.) I wanted to share this image from the latest expansion to the Star Wars Miniatures game, Legacy of the Force; This is Imperial Knight 20/60 (Ganner Krieg.) He stands at 1 3/8" (3.5 cm.) The set also includes Antares Draco, and Imperial Knight 21/60 (Sigel Dare.) I am proud to call this piece Micro-Me. May all your roles for initiative be high, Thomas

This is a lot like the story of Pinocchio only in reverse. Experience has taught me to be very cautious in what I post. But with the images and reports for Toyfare, I think I can safely assume that this "news" is confirmed. Story of events as I understand it; 1. Jan Duursema created the visual appearance of the Imperial Knights. 2. She chose me to model for Ganner Krieg because she thought I was a good fit for the character. 3. I then made my costume because--well gosh I kinda had to. 4. Hasbro told Doug Wrangler* and I about the intent to make the Imperial Knight action figures at Celebration IV. 5. This past Friday Hasbro sent me a preview image. The fact that Hasbro sent me the above image at all was a show of courtesy. I know Jan sent images of me along with other reference material to the Hasbro design team, but the character rights go to LFL, naturally. I'm just stoked to know my part behind the scenes. Be well, Thomas *Jan's model for Imperial Knight Antares Draco.

Greetings Sofie, Please do share the images when your custom is complete. ?Will you be attending Jedi-Con n D?sseldorf next month? Perhaps we can meet then. Be well, Thomas

I just spoke with my artist friend to tell her the news. She then told me about another product, showing up on ebay even now. My news I can code as; 1. Mini me. Lady JD's news I can code as: 2. Mini mini me. PS (try looking under Legacy of the Force)

I have the most exciting news. But I cannot share the image until after Toyfare. I am simply aglow. More to come.

Thank you fellows. When I began to fit the assortment of Orbalisks already produced on my torso casting, I found that I needed at least one more size to achieve the look (and articulation) I wanted. I have been noodling on the piece above for three weeks during my train commute to and from work. I feel it is just about ready to cast. This is the fifth separate sculpt I've made of the little guys. I think I might go back and sculpt the underside for this one as well. Be well, Thomas

We are honoured that you could join us. Wonderful to see you here at last Sofie. I did not know that you made a tutorial. If possible please post larger images. I know all our members would very much enjoy to see images of your progress in detail. Be well, Thomas

"It's Darth Bane," the big man said with a grim smile. "and I'm not dead yet. Unlike you." It feels like a stone's age since last I updated this project. Indeed several new official reference sources have come into existence in the tyme that has passed. While my attentions had been diverted bringing Ganner Krieg's Imperial Knight Armour to the first level of completeness, I am now focussed on Darth Bane. I stared my first sketches for this costume in 2003. While I had a wearable helm in 2006, I was not happy with the way the sections fit together. For the past three months, I have been adding and sanding away material, hoping to refine the fit and improve the helm's form. With the consultation of a colleague from my prop workshop, I made the decision to cut apart the "processess" on the helm's back so that the piece can be molded properly and reproduced. Simultaneous to the work on Darth Bane's helm, I have fitting the components of Bane's living armour to a casting of my torso. For the benifit of those unfamiliar with the character, Bane's Post Dxun armour is made up hundreds of individual Orbalisks. While I had sculpted four separate sizes (instars) of these for the task, I found that I will need to make at least a fifth Orbalisk size to work with full body coverage. I hope to update again in February with new images of the body armour. Be well, Thomas

Sean, I did not have any idea your appearance behind the mask, even after hugging you at CiV. I am glad to see you at last. Everyone else posted here, I see you first in my mind as you, then you lovely costume creations. Naturally. In the spirit of things... Aw yeh.

Good afternoon, I wanted to share images that friend my Patrick Riley took of my Imperial Knight suit this weekend for the 2007 Rebelscum Halloween Costume Contest; This tyme around I have added paint detailing to the armour to help "pop" the contours. I am attempting to perfect the armour for next year. Be well, Thomas