The Clone Emperor

It is subtle, but I for one, like the adjustment. I think the implied guantness in the mask is more forboding, and consequently a better capture of the character. Thank you for sharing. Be well, Thomas

The Expanded Universe is powerful force in the continuation of Star Wars. I feel quite secure in the assertion that the Star Wars franchise would not enjoy the nearly same popularity it has without the EU there to pump in fresh and exciting tales and characters. Still, the EU is shunned by some purists. (My theory is it is too much for some to take in. Too many shades of grey.) Whatever the reason, EU is constantly met with resistance from some in the fan community all the way back to George Lucas himself---as evidenced by comments he made when addressing the 501st at the Rose Parade. This implied stigma leaves me often having to defend EU costuming in the Legion. The notion in itself is ridiculous to me. I see EU costumes on equal footing with screen based costumes. And personally, I have great respect for the folk who make their own--often a trade mark of EU costuming. To keep EU on the same footing as screen canon characters, I try to evaluate both by the same criteria. It is not an exact science and I try to allow for subtle differences. This year I realized Mara Jade's body suit cut, the piping and leg diagonals were analogous to the stripes in Darth Vader's undersuit. These details define the characters. Without the stripes in the undersuit it is not Darth Vader. In the need to treat EU equally, the example calls for Mara Jade costumers to have body suits that match the vast ammount of reference for her signature costume. It is this train of logic that leads me to this discussion over the drifting appearance of Darth Revan. The mod to action figure to costume path is an example of Chinese Whispers in which the end result is markedly different from the source. A Stormtrooper costume that varied a similiar amount from the screen reference would not be Legion accepted. And thus this thread. I am a proponent of the EU in Star Wars. I love the way the saga inspires artist in chain-like succession. It also troubles me to enforce policies that curtails that creativity in the Legion. But there are rules for costume acceptance, and I do believe that has been the application of these rules that has made the Legion the awe inspiring group that it is today. Be well, Thomas

Good aftermoon, The Hasbro Toy Darth Revan appearance deviates significantly from the original character from Knights of The Old Republic. Only the costumes replicating the original Darth Revan are currently accepted for membership. 501st eligible KOTOT Darth Revan appearence Examples of fan made Darth Revan maskes previously approved for 501st membership. Fan made Mod for a Darth Revan-like mask appears to be the source used in the less than canon accurate Hasbro rendition; The Unhooded Hasbro Darth Revan A well made fan mask based on the Hasbro Toy, which appears to be based on fan art and not the actual character. As such, this mask would not be an acceptable 501st Darth Revan component. This is not meant as a slight, as it is a fine piece. But it is not based on a source currently approved for the character in the 501st. Please be advised, that the source of reference material for EU character costumes in the 501st will be scrutinized. Not all sources are considerred accurate. Be well, Thomas

The Yuuzhan Vong is a race. The term is so general as to prohibit all but the most general of standards from being established. As with Nightsisters and Mandalorians this group is defined by individual expression. I'd like to see this discussion "reshaped", as it were, around defineable LFL commissioned individuals. From there unique references and unified discussion can be established and possible adoption by the 501st determined. Be well, Thomas PS In a year or two down the road, I imagine there could be at least one other YV in the costuming community. I'd bet my Plaeryin Bol on it.

I don't edit Wikipedia. To edit Wikipedia is frowned upon by my employer, The Encyclopaedia Britannica. Being that anyone can write whatever they feel like, that the author of a book can have her own entry rewritten by a well meaning fan, I also see that any attempt at correction in Wikipedia may be overwritten. Besides, it assumes me to see just how my strange actions are interpretted by others. I don't think it would be very sporting to edit an entry on myself. Be well, Thomas

Good morning Flagship Eclipse, Thank you all again for the continued support. I suited up a mannequin in my Imperial Knight armour (wip) for the ACME prop party this weekend; This gave me a chance to inspect the amour's presence and assembled details. Now one week out of Dragon*Con, I have found some nice images of myself as Ganner Krieg. (Over 500 images to sort through on my own camera and I have but a few images of my own suit, those in the occasional shot with a friend.) This image is from Scott aka "Aviator Vader"; And these are from the flickr account of "Patcave"; I don't consider the suit finished. I'd like to resculpt and cast the right upper bell for better alignment, then make master molds of the entire suit of armour to produce a production quality piece. I plan to turn my own sabre hilt, and work with a local custom boot maker to complete the bootwear. I will need to retailor the undersuit. Ideally, this set of armour should not be worn. It is made of bondo and fibre glass, painted red. It should be used to make master molds from which more managable, light weight gel-coated pieces could be pulled. I hope to do just this. But, wearing the wip "masters" gave me valuable experience in just how the pieces worked together, and what I can improve. Be well, Thomas PS I had the mixxed blessing of finding my name associated to a Wikipedia entry for Imperial Knight Ganner Krieg. The well meaning editor correctly mentioned my modeling for the character, but then referred to me as a...cosplayer. I much prefer to be acknowledged as a sculptor or an artist over a...cosplayer. Funny world.

It took all weekend, but I finally assembled most of the parts of my Imperial Knight armour. The final solutions were academic, but it took two days of staring at the pieces, testing different attachment schemes, checking the results with a mirror, cursing when a piece would fall off, and visiting the hardware store. It is a process; I'm actually mildly surprised the pieces are fitting together as designed. Good night and be well, Thomas

Thank you again. Inspiration is the purpose of this gathering. I was resolved that I would not leave this weekend without the remaining five pieces of my Imperial Knight armour. Oddly enough the Gods took pity on me and allowed me to meet my goal. I had to skip going to the gym, movie night with my friends, and even dancing but such was necessary. Imperial Knight right vambrace process I started this last week with life casts of my arms with undersuit. I drew on the casts to roughly mark out the maximum area that would still allow for movement. I created a technical illustration to lay over the life cast to aide in keeping the design symmetrical. But this guide was stifling. It forced a flatness on the form. When I realised the impediment, I set the guide aside and sculpted, allowing the form to flow. Once I had a nice form, I made a two part mold. This would allow me to salvage the sculpt underneathe for later use. I then made a waste mold in plaster. I repaired air bubbles and sealed the joint between the mold halves. After applying a separator wax, I applied a layer of auto body filler before placing a fibreglass foundation. I let the fibreglass "kick over" and then returned to break the waste mold. I trimmed and rough sanded the parts, and lovingly took the liberated pieces with me to shower. Imperial Knight right/left vambraces, right/left hand plates, and lower abdomen plate Some chase work is left to do but I am pleased with the results. To my delight, and great surprise, process went smooth. I will celebrate soon. Be well, Thomas

Carolyn dearest, I am accepting the metalic interpretation. As rendered in game, the strip does look as a metal band. But I am not convinced that was the orginal intent based on the texture map and practical armour deisign. All KOTOR texures are mirror maps, (except for Darth Sion who would look awkard with reflected scarring.) I believe that on analysis of the texture of Dartth Revan, that the midsection strip looks to be leather. This would seem a practical consideration for movement in fantasy armour. In the game render I feel the reflected texture map appears more like a pattern. I believe that the entire torso section of his model has a reflective property enabled making the this detail appear metaiic. That to isolate the midsection in the 3-D model and selectively remove this property was not considered an essential detail. Again I offer this only as my reasoning behind my preference. As arguments for both Metalic and Leather treatments can be supported with LFL comission reference material, I accept both. Really it is crazy to become concerned in such minutiae, but that's part of the fun too. Be well, Thomas

I have been meaning to contact Carolyn about the Revan specifications. As wtih any 501st costume, film canon or Expanded Universe canon, the more reference we have obtain for a character, the more solidified the standard for that character becomes. In the case of Darth Revan I have been defering new approvals that are missing key details that our friend on ebay does not happen to include in his "product." (I have a great respect for the artist and I would love to speak with him in person.) These details are nothing new. They are simply elements of the costume that make the suit accurate. One would not expect to see a Darth Vader approved for the 501st whose undersuit was flat black without the ribbing. Similarily, a Mara Jade would not be complete without the diagonal ribbing on the thighs of her catsuit. Looking at the images my contact at Activision drafted for us, the textured pattern on Darth Revan's midsection is clear. This is now required. I agree with Kristen's take on the strip as being a horizontal ribbed strip of grey leather with quilting. I'll pass most any reasonable and well made attempt to match this component. The vambraces sold on ebay only go half way. These are meant to continue fully arround the arm. Consider this required. The backplate is stil in question. While the armour sets sold on ebay are well made, to my knowledge the artist has not updated his product to match the details and research that are available for the character today. If he did, I'm sure the armour would be even more impressive. As it is, individuals looking to join the 501st ranks as Darth Revan using his armour as a base will have a little more work to do for membership approval. I do believe this effort is worth it. Be well, Thomas

Good morning, And once again thank you for the support and enthusiasm. I too seldom use exclamation marks in my own writing. This excitement will trickle down into my mind once I come closer to completion. And the drool. I know my cat friend is beyond content when he drools. Either that or he is very sick. I aspire to inspire the former. August, 2007 progress; Saturday I took a bath with my armour pieces inorder to wet sand them. (1200 grit) This was in preparation for painting. The rest of Saturday I took off to DURGE at Wizard World Chicago. Sunday, I purchased final supplies for the undersuit. I had been looking for over a year for a strech fabric that looks like leather. To my amazement I found the material on my first stop, in a most unexpected place. (More on this with my undersuit update to come.) Then I cast my forearms up, and began the final sculpts for the armour. I see folk post bulletins about "X days until Dragon*Con." Of course I read such posts as "X working days until Dragon*Con." Be well, Thomas

9th of August update; These are my L/R sculpts of for the Imperial Knight armoured plate for the backs of the hands. They are sculpted over plaster bandage casts of my gloved hands. I held on to a tube to simulate the position of the fingers around a lightsabre for the cast. Call me crazy, but I think I can do this for D*C. Be well, Thomas

4th of August Weekend update; Breast plate separated, cape cap and second underbell cast and trued. Irons in the fyre; 1. Working on belt with Brayton of Corellian Imports.( 2. Awaiting delivery of cheap Vader suit to cut-up and repurpose. (I intend to replace the torso component and extend the arms with thumb loops. 3. Just received white apprentice hilt from Todd of Ultrasabres. I intend to create my own IK styled hilt later, using the electronics and blade from this kit. Back to work, Thomas

One more update, this one showing my other work space--the CTA commuter train. (I often sculpt, carve, and paint in transit to my illustration job.) This is the cast cog inset for the left shoulder bell. It's 1/4" thick and has a slight complex curve. I cast it with resin mixed with aluminum powder. The mix went from liquid to solid in less than one minute. I actually had to cut the pour string between the mix cup and the cast piece. I'm in a rhythm now, and the components are starting to flow. Be well, Thomas

Thank you fellows for your support and input. I have a pair of images to share of some my new pieces in progress; These are the left and right overbell hard masters. The left overbell sports a clay Imperial Cog that will be cast separately. This image shows the clay sculpt for the "cloak cap." I have sculpted dirrectly over the back plate hardmaster for fit. Judging from the replies and PM's I have received, I gather there is a little confusion about the process I use. I have been hesitant to describe my process for several reasons; 1. The materials used in fibre glassing are dangerous to health. If not approached with due care and precaution folk could end up damaging their lungs or worse. 2. It takes tyme to document the process. It helps to have an understanding buddy with camera knowledge on hand. These are two things I seldom have. 3. I am not an expert. Good golly how I am not. I'd be embarassed for folk to see some of the foolish mistakes I make. With this in mind I feel less than qualified to suggest my process to others. Still I do think an "overveiw" could possibly help. Greatly simplified my process is as follows; 1. Create the sculpture, often in clay. 2. Send images to friends and authorities for critique 3. Adjust as necessary 4. Add mold walls to the sculpture--also in clay, applied with as much care as with which the sculpture was made. 5. Create a mold in Plaster of Paris 6. Remove the sculpture from the mold. If the mold came out well, I roll the remains of the sculpt into a ball of clay on the spot. It is a ritual signifying that I trust that the next steps will yield fruit. (I would not recommend it.) 7. Clean the mold, and fill in any air pockets that may have formed. For this I use clay. Sometymes I also sand the edges of the mold. 8. Apply mold release to the negative surface. (I use mirrior wax) 9. I prepare the work area. Do not set up in your living area. You must work in a garage, studio, or abandoned doll factory. Just not at home. The materials present a health hazzard. 10. I don an apron, gloves and a fibreglass rated respirator. If you try this with a breathe mask you health will be forfeit. 11. I mix bondo with an amount of fibreglass resin roughly 1 to 5. You can skip the resin. I use it to assist with the bondo's flow. (Bondo is a paste at room temperature.) 12. I THEN mix in the the bondo and fibreglass hardeners. Mix the correct ammount and mix thoroughly. Don't mix up more than you can work with in a single pot-life. It would be better to toss out a partially set-up pot then to force it into your mold. 13. Working quickly I pour, spread and coax the bondo/fibreglass resin into an even thickness over the mold negative and past the edges of the negative form up the mold walls. This gives me a measure of excess to cut away. Better to have excess coverage than not enough. Be sure to avoid trapping air in corners and do not allow the bondo to pool-up in the centre of the mold. Try to keep the thickness even; 1/8"--1/4" is good. 14. While the bondo shell is curing I set up the fibreglass matte. I use chopped matte. I tear a couple strips up for use. 15. I then mix up a small workable pot of fibreglass resin and hardener (also called catalyst or "kicker." 16. With a disposalable paint brush, I lay a preparation layer of fibreglass resin onto the inside of the bondo shell. 17. I coat one side of a fibreglass matte strip and lay it sticky side down unto the coated bondo shell. 18. Immediately I "tap" the fibreglass matte with the brush until the resin premeates the fibre. The fibre will become transparent. I tap to move and pop airbubbles as I go. 19. Wow ?you really are still reading this? 20. I continue to apply the fibreglass matte strips until the entire inner surface is coated, allowing for a generous overlap. 21. I clean up. 22. I don saftey goggles for the next steps 23. Once the fibreglass resin has cured, I take out the hammer. You can pretty much brain the mold and not harm the fibreglass casting. I apply conservative force all the same an carefully smash the waste mold away. 24. Clean the bondo/fibreglass casting. Clip away the extra fibres. 25. Using a fibreglass cutting wheel, I remove the extra mold wall positive from the piece. 26. Clean up and trash run. 27. The piece can now be "trued" by adding additional bondo where needed, and sanding. I also use a dremel tool and x-acto blades for this purpose. 28. A base coat of primer helps to judge the quality of the piece, and seals the piece for further work. 29. Recite the proper incantation and offer the blood sacrafice. I prefer the blood of the unbaptised male child for my work. This process makes a hard master. I wear mine. A pro would use a hard master to produce a production mold and reproduce the piece with gel-goat and fibreglass. Alternatively, the hard master could be adapted for vacuum-forming. One day, I hope advance my work to a more professional process. Be well, Thomas PS Pam, ?Yes indeed, mouse sanders rock hard, tasty-abs-washer-board-style (glistening in the Sun!)

When fighting Atris as a Light Exile, her sabre is indeed red; Red However, this clip suggests that when enguaging a Dark Exile, Atris is outfitted with a blue sabre. Blue But sabre colour alone does not determine a force sensetive being's alignment. Just as a SW character's alignment alone does not determine if it will be accepted as a costume for 501st membership. As a general rule, three separate references from three separate LFL comissioned sources are required. This serves not only the need to flesh out the complete and consistant look of a character, but also to establish the character's prominence in the SW Universe. There are members of the 501st who actually believe that a character's popularity is a measure of the success of a costume. (I have noticed very few who hold this belief actually make their own costumes.) While I strongly maintain that a character's popularity and the success of a costumer's work are two completely separate issues, tthe related issue of prominence must still be considerred when determining a good fit with the 501st Legion. For instance, t would be hard to sell a character for 501st consideration to the Legion Council that only appeared in the course of a sequel of a video game for one round, who had no individual name, and no significant dialogue. Any number of KOTOR Sith henchmen come to mind. Currently, new characters that seem to be a good match for the 501st must first gather full reference to define both their alligance and appearence. Then at least one stunning costume example is need to champion the character's cause. There's no guarantee that Atris will become a 501st accepted costume. As I see it, the argument of her allegiance is a little grey, but not unworkable. In favour of her acceptance is the fine example Sakara has alerted us to; I'm impressed by the boot details. Hand her a Holocron prop and a red blade, and I'd say she is beginning her descent into the Dark Side. I say because I believe the KOTOR II developers had more in mind for Atris. My friend at activision has supplied us with full renders of what I am now guessing was meant to be the Dark Side version of her character; I have been hesitant to share these images here because they are "off the radar" and could not possibly be used in consideration for 501st membership at this tyme. Like many games, the story of KOTOR II suffered under its production deadline. I suspect the view we were presented of Atris in the released game was only a glimpse of what her character was intended to be. I believe that it is this unfinished nature of her character has made this debate harder to settle. Be well, Thomas

And yet again I am surprised at the actual number of days that go into a single costume component. I must subconsciously forget the tyme spent in making my own costume shortly after the labaour. Many hours and steps have occured between the last posted sculpture images and the truing images below; I am so dedicated to Star Wars, that I even wear a costume when working on a costume. (Here I am attired as the Ralph McQuarrie concept for Luke Skywalker.) For production purposes only, the torso armour was cast as one piece. Some how, I spent 10 hours truing up these hard master pieces. I will put in just a little more tyme to further true up the torso armour before cutting it up into wearable components for testing. I intend to make the final piece with a coloured gel coat, but that process is a ways off. My next step will be to sculpt the cape plate on top of the the back plate and the over bells on top of the under bell. Be dusty, Thomas

Because of medical concerns contacts are not required in the Legion, but strongly encouraged for characters that have/would have used them on screen. The body paint/body suit requirement is debatable. I see it as thus; Surely no screen villainess would be filmed in a body suit when body paint would look more realistic. And since we are attempting to match screen quality, the body suit would seem inappropriate for a 501st grade costume. Folk that are self conscious about their body should not choose such a revealing character. It creates an unnecessary conflict, especially when there are so many other choices available. Be well, Thomas

Courtney, I have followed your costume progress since your first appearance as Darth Talon. Your costume and your progress since then is admirable. Thank you for having the patience and perseverance to see this through the proper procedure. It might be a little bureaucratic, but it gives me the tyme I need to feel secure about putting my support behind a new character in the Legion. One issue I have when dealing with new costumes is sincerity of purpose; that the individual may be more concerned with being the first than being the best. That bragging rights (and/or sales) are more important than accuracy, trooping, or the camaraderie our organisation is all about. I have no such worries with you. In fact, it looks as though you are already contributing to this community. I signed in today to ask you to suggest Darth Talon specifications. Seeing that you have taken this initiative--after asking first--is wonderful. You have my full support. I will present Darth Talon to the Legion Council for consideration next week. With your example, I am confident that the character will be supported. When it is, you will already have my approval for your costume. Troop at least once a year and you are golden. Be well and welcome to The Flagship Eclipse, Thomas

Good afternoon, Kristen, Thank you for the excellent costume example. I think such images are very inspiring. About the Darkside Adept category mention early this yeat. Part of the introduction of Visas Mar to the Legion Council was the caveat that the character would eventualyy be placed in the new 501st category of DA. While there was never any doubt that Visas Mar was learning from Darth Nihilus, she never reached the title of Darth. Darth Maul was an apprentice, but also a full fledged Sith Lord. Visas was only beginning her descent, and not a fully trained Sith Lord. Asajj Ventress would be considered more studied in the ways of the Sith, but her ablities were innate, and not trained in the SIth tradition. ?Is there some stigma attached to becoming a Darkside Adept that has not been discussed? The whole purpose of the category is branch out and more properly define different force users types in the 501st. Thank you Carolyn for the confirmation. I am not sure what to do with it just yet myself. Luke Skywalker and Quilan Vos both technically fell to the Dark Side, but all the while they remained heros. Their actions perserved the greater good and they were redeemed. Perhaps more of Atris's KOTOR comic series actions would help. Or maybe just some tyme to think. An all white obscure EU Jedi with a blue blade might prove a hard sell in the Legion Council. Be well, Thomas

Good morning Alex, As I recall, Atris genuinely believed she was serving the Light by her zealot actions. She delved into the Sith Holocrons hoping to better understand how to defeat the Dark SIde. In her fervour, she came to believe that this was her charge to complete alone. If we were to call a Jedi a Sith Lord simply because they raised arms against another Jedi, than the entire Jedi Council of the Olde Republic would be suspect. I'll need to get better reference to give a deffinitive answer. Please note: Wikipedia, Wookipedia, and any other FAN-FICTION "encyclopedia" cannot be cited for reference for 501st purposes. In any case, the character was certainly not a Dark Lord of the Sith. If Atris's character was to be shoe-horned into the 501st, than approved costumes based on her character would first be displayed under SL. But only temporarily. Eventually, like Mara Jade, Night Sisters, Asajj Ventress, and Visas Mar, she would be placed into the purposed DA category for "Darkside Adept." That is if evidence correlaborates her appropiateness for the Legion. Personally, I like to see Atris is a Rebel Legion character; The Rebel Legion already accepts characters that I would define as villains, but Atris is different still. She is a Jedi gone over the top to meet her goal. A momentary lack of judgement does not necessarily place a person beyound redemption, e.g. Luke Skywalker and Quilan Vos. Clearly this will require a bit more thought and LFL commisioned reference. Be well, Thomas

Good evening Kristen, So the English really do say "blimey." Core, Governor, ?Who'd 'ave thought? I use sulphur-free oil-based clay; (Sulphur-free in case I decide to use the clay with a silcon mold.) The choice of material depends on you. Oil based clay won't dry out, but it will oxidize and become hard to manipulate. I have seen my colleagues work in many other clay-like materials, and while I cannot name these, I would encourage experimentation. Be well, Thomas

Now that the rush and recovery from SW Celebration IV, I am finally freed advance my sculpture. (I will have images from CIV online shortly.) My first hurdle upon my return was the discovery that the Summer heat had worked against my sculpture. I found that the clay had torn itself off of my life cast under its own weight. Torn plates lie where they fell like flower petals around the torso. Something of an upsetting scene. But no matter. I just picked up the pieces and fastened them in place with two dozen dry wall screws. It felt macho to do, and served a purpose; should the clay become heated a begin to slide away again, the dry wall screws should act as anchors. I spent last weekend repairing the damage; I have changed the cut on the underbells. Initially I had followed the geometry of the popular Legacy 6 cover art. However after additional research and confirmation I settled on a cut more in keeping with Jan Duursema's design. (The Legacy 6 cover was done by another artist.) Before I make my first hard master of the chest armour I wanted to finalize the front AND the back. The back is based on the under the cape images supplied by Jan Duursema. I have high-lit in blue the location of the separate back-cape-plate from which the cape will hang. (I plan to sculpt the back-cape-plate on top of the back armour hard master, thus insuring fit.) Be well, Thomas

Ganner Krieg and Antares Draco stand watch at Bastion More study. This image was drawn from a photo of Doug Wrangler and I at CIV. It is fascinating what you notice about a person when take the tyme to draw them. It is like seeing them through whole new eyes. I have had one sculpture day since CIV. I believe I will have a whole week coming soon. It is my intention that my next images shared to be hard masters of a few of the Imperial Knight armour pieces I have been working on; 01. left hand plate 02. right hand plate 03. left vambrace 04. right vambrace 05. left under bell 06. right under bell 07. left over bell 08. right over bell 09. left shoulder strap 10. right shoulder strap 11. front breast plate 12. back plate 13. back shoulder/cape plate 14. abdomen plate 15. segmented groin plate I concede that the shoulder strap segments could be left attached to either the front or the back of the body armour, but I am designing my armour with break down for travel in mind. Be well, Thomas

The term is demonic possession.