The Clone Emperor

I'd never worry myself about popular. I do it for myself. And popular or not, great craftsmanship and accuracy can be appreciated by all. Be well.

A'Sharad Hett, Chicago Wizard Wizard World 2011 Andrea's A'Sharad Hett, Jedi Con, (Germany) 2010 ¡Keep them coming!

This is a recent pull from my 2004 molds of the Prince; Here again is the same piece after detailing. I cast this with two coats of latex, remembering just last night why I should not do that. The problem is, the thicker the latex, the more the shrinkage of the interior and the less elasticity overall. I can only wear this mask with a slit up the back of the neck. While such a solution is workable, I think I will pour up a new mask today with one coat. Be well, Thomas

Beautiful work, my craftsman friend. Be well, Thomas

I like to help.

Seen recently at ABQ Comic Expo. A nice costume for "cosplay." However, for 501st approval I personally would ask for a better match to the reference materials. Still, it is inspiring to see the effort. Be well, Thomas

Stark Trek Legacy aside, the material hard armour is made from should not be a sticking point for costume approval. Courtenay's Darth Talon was near perfect in 2006; The costume was deferred on advise of a very particular Legion Council for revision to the ear buds and boot type. (Darth Talon may not wear much to battle, but she definitely does not wear heels.) As the originating source, the Jan Duursema comic panels--and not cover images--should be considered the primary reference for the character. Be well, Thomas

This is the highest resolution version image I can produce for this 2003 costume project. (A scaled version has been sent to our DL Pam for CRL completeness.) For some tyme I have wanted to remake this costume from scratch, starting with a new mask sculpt in silicon. I have a target event in mind, but I'll not jinx myself by committing it to a post before actual work has begun. Digging through my archives to produce this image has inspired me to attempt one last pull from my molds so that The Dark Prince, in his Mark 1 appearance may return this year, (2011.) Be well, Thomas

The last issue of Star Wars Legacy hit the stands this week and I am relieved to say that Imperial Knights Marasiah Fel, Draco, Ganner, Rae, and Sinde are still alive in universe. I was surprised as some of the other notable knights were felled--in one case, in a single panel. But that is to be expected when cramming so much action in a six issue wrap up. Here, I'd like to share some images of myself in character from Motor City Comic Con 2011. These photos were taken by artist Joe Corroney; Be well, Thomas Jeremey Naylor is a cuddly Wampa.

You know, that is not a bad solution for under the hood.

Here was a young gentleman's attempt at Star Wars Celebration V. I think the miniature adds nice turn-around detail that I'd personally like to see observed in the costume for Legion consideration; There are many sketchy references to be found showing just the Jacen's angst ridden face and bit of his breast plate--the rest hidden by a cloak. The full costume should be made in consideration of available full reference. Be well, Thomas

(Just needs to paint the grey areas red.)

I think I know just the thing for the bandolier construction; Good to see you back on the cause my friend. Be well, Thomas

One effort towards this costume has been posted in the public forums of the 501st Detachment responsible for Bounty Hunters and Mercenaries; The Bounty Hunter's Guild. Mand'alor the Indomitable W.I.P. The project is from 2009. I recommend visiting The Bounty Hunter's Guild and sharing your work--with working links--there. Be well, Thomas

The young squire is Jack Dorman. Come to learn, he the wind beneath many a fluttering cape in Dave's paintings. This was taken yesterday, after posing for reference in CE III covers. Posing for Dave is lot like playing Twister. I hope there's a cover with a struggle between Kir Kanos and Mirith Sinn soon. (I do know one model for her character and she is local.) Be well, Thomas

Crimson Empire III, Issue 1, Dark Horse Comics Cover painting in oil and acrylic by Dave Dorman Armour reference modeled by Thomas Spanos In 2010 a half dozen costumers, including myself, were asked to join the Dark Horse Comics panel at the Star Wars Celebration V Convention. For all the years of inspiration this institution has provided, I considered the the request to be an honour. This panel served as the public announcement of Dark Horse's return to the Crimson Empire series. (In the Star Wars tymeline the Crimson Empire tale chronicles events after Dark Empire, which occurs after the battle of Endor, ROTJ.) I felt privileged to be on hand for the revelation. The cover artist, the person responsible for the first impression of the original Crimson Empire series is Dave Dorman. Dave is a traditional painter whose name and work has been an intrinsic part of the Star Wars world for decades. I was stoked when Dave invited me to his studio to model for the Crimson Empire series. While the Imperial Knight armour I wear (and made from scratch) is different than that of the Crimson Empire Imperial Guard, it bares enough similarities for Dave to reference in his creations. And I am happy to play a small part in the process. Look for additional cover comparison as the series unfolds. (Don't worry Randy, I know not to share anything that has not yet been publicly announced.) links; Dave Dorman Dark Horse Comics Crimson Empire III, Issue 1 announcement Imperial Knight Ganner Krieg, costume project Be well, Thomas

Pam asked me to create a graphic for the COTF Nihilius Neckercheif, but I found one already available online;

This just in from Gentle Giant; Not that I encourage commercialism of the Expanded Universe. Still, it warms my heart to see one of our core components get "busted." It represents a certain level of public recognition for a character many of us on The Flagship Eclipse have grown to love. And while I feel wider recognition should not be the affect one's personal choice in a costume, it is good to see the love for the character of Darth Nihilus grow. Happy hunting. Be well, Thomas

Good evening, Just a point about the Visas pattern dimensions; you'll want to size it to match reference; In this clearest of all model renders, the pinwheel at the centre of the chest appears to suggest a pattern nearly as wide as Visas Marr's neck. We have approved tighter patterns before, but the dimensions on the Legion CRL are given for the purpose reversing that trend. Good progress all together. Be well, Thomas

Might I suggest...

Darth Bane, The Clone Wars, "Ghosts of Mortis" This stylized version of Darth Bane is from unused footage from an episode of The Clone Wars animated series. Citing the Orbalisk design and helmet geometry, I believe this model borrowed from my costume. If it proves to be so, I would be thrilled by a credit--and perhaps a shout out.

Thank you Luis, This is very nice. I think is amazing that such a a life sized promotional item was produced. Putting on my LMO helmet for a moment, this hero costume falls under the membership of the Rebel Legion. The majority of the costume presets for Starkiller in The Force Unleashed II are hero costumes, per his canon, preset role in the game. It is not until the end of the game that you have the opportunity to see an Evil Starkiller. And what a sad moment that is. The add on levels for TFU II are chock full of Evil Starkiller. I won't play these levels. (I personally find the mission sadistic.) But they do offer many inspiring villain costumes. Be well, Thomas

Good evening, Let's not confuse the issue, complete the costume and make it match the reference for 501st consideration. Standards for the Imperial Knight based on the unit's canon armour were written up years ago. Then a second set of standards was written based on a commonly available but not 100% kit. There's no question about Imperial Knights being approved in the Legion, at least not to this Legion Membership Officer's eyes. But I have yet to see a completed suit based on the and matching the reference material. True, a comic artist sometymes misses drawing some details in the costumes of their characters. With the Imperial Knight the Imperial Cog on a bracer in one panel might be forgotten, or the back hand protector in one frame is left off for a panel and put it back on in the next. Those studying the amour for any length of tyme already know the details of the costume. Please don't try to shoe horn an inaccurate costume into the Legion just because that kit is readily available. Instead, do like every other costume in the Legion and strive to match the reference. Be well, Thomas

Good evening, I have been doing a bit of research into the many many new costumes from The Force Unleashed II. ¿Maulkiller anyone? From the game images it would appear that the TFU II Sith Acolyte has the same full helmet as the TFU II Sabre Guard only in red + the hood. I will be looking forward to seeing greater detailed reference for this and progress work on the helmet for these characters. Be well, Thomas

In addition to my tyme into the design and spec of our Detachment coin, I'll donate twenty dollars to our web space. Please pass along your pay pal specifics.