The Clone Emperor

Good evening, Please note the hoods and forward covering extensions of the cape worn on the rescue mission to Vendaxa--and subsequently not seen again--are considered mission specific accessories. (Possibly an away mission configuration of the standard wear.) The same logic would apply for other disguises worn by Imperial Knights over their standard armour. (In issue 46 for instance, the Imperial Knights are disguised as farmers.) I believe when this entry is finally completed for use in the 501st visual CRL, Jan herself may make use of it for reference. Be well, Thomas

Good morning, I just got off the phone with Jan (Duursema, SW Legacy character designer/artist/author). She had to use a head set as she is feverishly working to meet Legacy deadlines. Fortunately, her pace was such that we could chat for a moment. On the topic of differences in Imperial Knight armour between genders, there is a slight accommodation for the female breast. Otherwise the armour components are identical, merely scaled to the body of the wearer--as previously suggested. The only difference in the Imperial Knight uniform between the genders is in the belt. While the male belt is a straight band, the female belt tapers to a downward facing point along the front bottom edge. The female Imperial Knight uniform is meant to wear the same eight tabards around the waist. These may be thought of as an extension of the panels in the shirt. (The recent images and action figure of Imperial Knight Sigil Dare without the tabbards are considered incomplete.*) I want to a take a moment to address Race as applied to Imperial Knights. Here to far Imperial Knights have all been depicted as human, with hair of natural colour, kept in a neat fashion. Until reference supply otherwise, the costume standard for this unit will suppose the same. Be well, Thomas *Jan admits that sometymes in the heat of meeting deadlines costume details can be reversed or left out entirely. On the topic of the Imperial Knights, the details list here--as extrapolated from the Legacy 0 issue--shall be considered canon for 501st definition. The Legion's Visual CRL has posted its first entries. These concern Darth Tyranus; Darth Tyranus/Count Dooku: AOTC and Darth Tyranus/Count Dooku: ROTS These entries represent the final treatment intended for all Legion CRL entries.

It is a good point to consider the female and male versions of this costume. While the armour bears the same construction, the entire suit is fitted to match the form of each gender. Belts are also different between female and male knights. I will need to confer with Jan about her intention for the treatment of the skirt equivalent on the female uniform. It was the same between the genders in the Zero Issue, but recent renders have only the male knights with the eight paneled skirt. (I'll give her a call this week.) Be well, Thomas

Good morning, The following is a basic list of Imperial Knight costume components from last year; Please note armour point 13, the shoulder armour across the back, illustrated below in the first set of panels; This is separate from the back armour underneath the cape. As The Flagship Eclipse gallery is down, I think it may help to repost these 2007 assets that Jan Duursema, designer of the Imperial Knight created for our use; I am in favour of less wordy, but more illustrated standards work best. If striving for a purely textual guide, I suggest greater detail. For instance, the abdomen plate could additionally be described as consisting of 3 vertical plates with a rectangular tab on the bottom of the centre plate. These plates come together in the shape of a top heavy trapezoid/hexagon. Restoring The Flagship Eclipse Library and populating the Imperial Knight entry with scans of all available reference will further promote this project. Be well, Thomas

Good evening, I am not certain you are allergic to plaster. Once I was asked to do a body cast for a well known Johnny Depp costumer. The entire tyme he was sucking his belly in--a symptom of being 30 something--and standing perfectly still. In other words, less volume to the pulmonary cavity and circulation was not bolstered by the natural movements of the body. Less Oxygen to the brain=faint. And he did. Went down like a stone. I caught him, but the cast was scuttled. There is a science to the body cast. A true body cast requires special rigging. And a team. I started my Imperial Knight on a mannequin. As luck would have it, the sculpt sloughed off the mannequin in the summer heat. Before I reworked it, I tired the clay breastplate on. It did not fit at all. No wonder, it was sculpted over a form that was not based on human anatomy. Before I resumed my sculpt I have my friends help me cast my upper body. The armour I produce from that cast looks like it was made for me--because it was; I recommend a plaster bandage cast of your torso, front half, then back. And let you stomach rest naturally. Breath. Hold good posture, but breath and walk about now and then. Or you will effectively asphyxiate yourself. Unless you just are allergic to plaster. If so, maybe you are just special that way. Celebrate it. Be well, Thomas

Right bicep encasement in process, before painting. I look at the tyme that passes between updates and for a brief moment, I despair and wonder when I shall ever finish. Then I recall the projects I work on in between the updates on this project and realize I am on "schedule." Benefit for the Wild Claw theatre. Photography by Sophia Rapata. Chicago, February 2010 I do expect update activity to ramp up in preparation for Jedi Con, Düsseldorf. Wir sehen uns bald, Thomas

Bravo! Please PM me your mailing address. You have earned our patch. If the coins were produced already, l would see to it that you received one as well. You presence does honour to this Detachment, and the Legion at large. Be well, Thomas

Good morning, Too often beautiful work goes uncommented on. It moves us, we smile at the touch, and silently move on. Perhaps we are simply too stunned to speak. Gorgeous work, thoughtfully crafted. Be well, Thomas

I support this build. I would like to the see the raw images, front and back--without photo enhancement, special effects, or background overlay. I am very impressed with the work on this suit. To my eye, you'll be setting a fine standard right out of the gate. If the costumer is going to Jedicon, Düsseldorf, I will personally deliver her a Flagship Eclipse patch for the achievement. (A $3.00 value! --Meant to symbolize brotherhood and respect.) Well done! Be well, Thomas

It seems strange to be discussing standards for a character that is not approved for Legion membership. Several years ago, the all white Infinities Darth Vader was deferred from the Legion roster because the character was from the alternate expanded universe. The "Sith Stalker" is in exactly the same category. I am up to revisit this discussion. SInce the initial ruling, the 501st costume acceptance definition has grown. For instance, the Legion roster now includes costumes based on stylized animations. I think a well made costume of such a popular alternate universe character would argue strongly in favour considering Alternate Universe characters. But first things first. As with Darth Revan and Darth Nihilus it has now becoming patently easy to buy descent "Sith Stalker" armour parts. An issue occurs when the costumer is faced with making the rest of the costume. The cloth parts must match the references in cut, quality, patterning, and material. The pressure hoses from the back of the helmet to the chest will be needed. The skin must be fully painted, and then detailed with gangrenous molting about the finger tips and dead veins. The right arm prosthetic is REQUIRED. This includes the android tip ring finger. the top reveal android fingers, and hand back, the blackened muscle tissue, and robotic radius and ulna. And the circulation tubes to the upper arm. For 501st acceptance, the entire costume must be movie quality. Please avoid short cuts. I have now deferred two submissions where instead of costuming, the applicant has used digital photo manipulation to reproduce skin effects. That is fine for personal use, but not acceptable for Legion application. Please note this is a production image. The final sabre configuration on The Ultimate Evil's belt is as in the screen captures from the xbox 360/ PS 3 games. I have this image at much greater resolution, but my free account will not allow it at full size. I will forward the full resolution image to TFE Detachment Gallery later. The tattoo detail and skirt pattern are the same. While these are visible on the screen shots, this image makes identification clear. Be well, Thomas

I cannot help myself. I checked my archives from 2002 and found these renders for the Reborn sabre; It can really be a thing of beauty.

OK this is the third tyme today, fifth tyme this week this has been brought up. That's not a problem, just to say the request is well documented. Wish I could respond sooner, but it doesn't always work that way. Ideally, the interested costumer would present research to kick off a character request. But as this is one character I personally know and love, I keen to lend a hand; That said, the Reborn have also appeared twice in Star Wars Miniatures; Champions of the Force Jedi Academy And then in the up coming Threats of the Galaxy, roleplaying book from Wizards of the Coast (Note; The balaclava, shoulder armour, and cape appears to be a blending of the costumes of the Reborn and the Sith Knights of KOTOR and should be considered non-canon. As such these elements are not to be part of a Reborn costume for 501st consideration.) And of course the the many flavas of the Jedi Knight Reborn; Pam, we are good to consider this for 501st. Done well, this costume could easily cost more than a Standard Stormtrooper costume, what with a custom lightsabre and the embroidery work required to match the tunic and pants. If the interested costumer were do the sewing, embroidery and machining their self, I think anyone could make a fine Reborn and save some money at the same tyme. The key source for this character for the 501st shall be the first appearance, as seen in SW: Dark Forces II: Jedi Knight Those interested in costuming this character should acquire full renders of the character; front, back, and side. Also REQUIRED will be the skin maps. Close ups of the character's sabre, are a must, (it is a generic looking sabre, but still good to have reference for.) Please post these images, along with the proper names for the levels of Reborn. (The image above shows 5 Reborn types and a Shadowtrooper. I am not certain that the 5 shown are all LFL game variants or if they are fan made. That will also need to be verified---by the interested costumer.) Be well, Thomas

Thank you kindly. Mostly I work alone on my projects. It can take years before one is complete to the point I can wear it publicly. Your input helps remind me of the fun of getting there. I probably said it before, I don't like to post without progress to my own threads. So with that in mind, I'd like to share a few images; My sabre projection, based on the Jedi vs Sith comic series, covering the Battle of Ruusan. Darth Bane, Battle of Ruusan Sabre When I first contacted the good folk of Ultra Sabers in September of 2006 about a sabre, I was only looking to see if they could supply the parts for a bright purple blade. (I intended to make the sabre hilt myself.) But the Ultra Sabers team became energized with the concept of what I was trying to do and soon we were discussing a full fledged custom commission. After their purposed draft, I submitted my own projection for the sabre's proportions (I am a technical illustrator by trade.) That projection was eventually used to produce a limited run of 20 sabres. Mine is just slightly different than the rest of the run in the detail around the emitter ring knob. I would not have believed it but the sound board adds a lot to the sabre's presence. To my surprise, I have received unsolicited criticism for commissioning this straight hilted sabre. (While the first appearance of Bane was with a simple straight hilt, the first short story--then much later the Darth Bane novels--refer to Bane's hilt as being hooked.) I found this criticism to be annoying. Not because of the presumption, but because I designed a very special curved hilt years ago. I have always intended to construct this myself. Patience. At the ACME Design Studio This weekend, with the help of two of my friends, Alexandra and Ethan, casts of my arms were made. (We met up at a prop studio that graciously hosts a monthly work shop.) I have coated the castings in bondo, and am now cleaning the same for use as forms for Darth Bane's biceps and two other future projects. Be well, Thomas

Darth Bane, WIP Orbalisk Armour; The continued progress of my Darth Bane and his Orbalisk Armour. (Seen here without helmet, cape, and hair cut.) This weekend I completed the shoulder bells and fitted closure straps to the back the gorget. Be well, Thomas

Good evening, With the completion of the first round of caption requests, I am ready at last to share my own Dragon*Con 2009 Gallery; (Click on the banner to view the full gallery.) Here are a few highlights of members from our Detachment and related characters; Mary Ellen makes the sweetest, kindest Night Sister you ever did meet. Randy standing proud as an Imperial Knight. An excellent KOTOR II version of Darth Nihilus from the UKG. Angela and myself representing Hestia and The Clone Emperor. Shelia as Mara Jade. Demon as Darth Traya spends a few moments not getting into trouble. Janine and Ron as Deliah Blue and Cade Skywalker Pamela as Astraal Vao, myself as Imperial Knight Ganner Krieg, and Morrigan Corde. A very cordial Darth Nihilus Mary Ellen and Joe as Visas Marr and Darth Revan To see a greater sampling of costuming at Dragon*Con I invite you to visit my gallery; (Click on the banner to view the full gallery.) Be well, Thomas

Good morning, ¿Am I addressing The Predator Queen? I recognize the screen name by reputation. If you are the same person my friend Joe Lester (Imageworksfx) speaks of with such regard, I am thrilled to see you here. If it is by coincidence that you have chosen the avatar name of Big Gunns, I welcome you all the same. Leather is not a requirement. An and argument for the pieces being made to resemble metal is well founded. If you want to hear it from the horse's mouth, post a question directly to Darth Talon designer Jan Duursema's board. Jan is very helpful to those with interest in costuming. As to Lekku length, please do match the longer examples. The unusual length is considered unique to the character. Be well and welcome. Thomas

Good afternoon, I regularly receive mail requests as to the availability of my costume creations for sale. I have wanted to offer my costume work, but lack of studio space, start-up funds, and not wanting to jeopardize my standing with LFL with license violation has proven to be quite an obstacle. I almost had a licensed deal with one of my costumes, the Imperial Knight armour from SW Legacy. The company--let's call them Mr.--holds a license to do high end SW costuming. After much research and initial soft-goods development, Mr. contacted me with a fabulous offer, expressing interest in producing my Imperial Knight armour as their first EU product. However, before this project could occur, they would have to get approval from LFL. After the initial presentation, LFL was quick to point out that Mr.'s contract--while covering all characters from SW movies, video games, television series, animated movies--did not extend to comics. For this reason LFL canceled the project. No matter. This changes nothing. I still have costumes to build and refine. Be well, Thomas

As a reminder, the Imperial Knight undersuit is not the same as Vader's/ a Clone Trooper's. This sketch was provided by Imperial Knight designer and illustrator Jan Duursema. For 140.00 US it might be worth getting the suit in the auction and tailoring it. I replaced the torso of a similar suit to accommodate the fit of my armour. Also the suit in the auction looks quite heavy. Coupled with the artificial fabric, the wearer is sure to get toasty. Leather costs a lot more, but breaths. I'd say you could start here, and upgrade later. Be well, Thomas

Greetings, I am impressed with the labour and dedication that went into this build. The sabre, the hold-out blaster, the shin armour, the det-pack on the back of the shoulder harness all are to be commended. The only aspect--and a prominent aspect at that--gives me pause is your catsuit. For 501st Legion approval the piping along the front panel and diagonal batting in the thigh panels is required. I strain to confirm these details in your photos. It think the diagonals are there, but cannot see the piping on the front panels. Please be sure to show these details in your membership images. If you don't have them, please consider making a new cat suit to match the cut of the reference images. Altogether this is a very impressive build. Buen hecho.

Good evening, I have been the Legion Membership Officer for three years. Ultimately, it would fall to me to approve any new Expanded Universe character for the 501st's list of represented characters. In all the tyme I served I have never once heard of anyone with a completed Yuuzhan Vong costume seeking 501st membership. In fact, the only Yuuzhan Vong costume I am aware of is the one posted on pages 1 and 2 of this thread. (And I would request revisions to that costume before approval.) The standing orders for 501st costuming expectation is "to look like it came right off the screen." A trick when the character that the costume is based on has never been on the screen. I qualify reviews on reference and the input of other vetted/established costumers--most often Detachment Leaders like our lady Pam. I also turn to LFL staff and friends in the Artist and Gaming communities--many of which are responsible for the creation of the characters we discuss here. Be well, Thomas

From Star Wars Celebration III (2005) An argument to approve a specific Yuuzhan Vong warrior or other chaste member for 501st could be made, but will require a costume made after a specific Yuuzhan Vong warrior or other chaste member to have any weight. Be prepared to defend every aspect of your costume, front and back--side to side with reference. Be well, Thomas PS I swear on my plaeryin bol you will not be alone.

If you are waiting for a character to be approved for 501st membership before committing to making said costume, then I recommend you NOT take on that costume. There is no speculative costuming in the 501st. A new character, such as Azlyn Rae, or a new costume for an existing approved character, such as this week's version of agent Starkiller, only becomes approved in the Legion once there is an example already made to represent it. Being the first does not equal approval. Approval is based on a great costume that precisely matches the selected reference. As you read these boards you will read one piece of advise over and over again; Costume for yourself first. All other side effects, like membership to some club, recognition, being invited to costume events etc. may or may not follow. Your costume is for you. Be well, Thomas

Good morning, I would recommend posting your new and improved images here, in this thread, before completing and sending in your 501st application. (First you send in your application, then the Garrison Member Liaison (GML) of the specific region you are applying in will contact you for photos. Then I will give the final review of your Expanded Universe costume in the GML forum. From there your GML will either promote your application status in the database or communicate with you what areas need improvement.) It might be good to get a pre-review here where all can see and benefit. Remember the list of 501st requirements for a costume is just a list. It has little to do with the approval of a costume. How the costume and the costumer matches the visual reference is the key. Be well, Thomas

TOMS Vegan Ash Wrap Boot If these came in Men's sizes I'd have a pair already. TI-9827, I am very interested to see your friend's Asajj with the upgraded wrappings. I think her costume will soon become the benchmark for TCW Asajj. Be well, Thomas

Top left of this forum, Photo Gallery/501st Approved Costumes Research Files/Visas Marr; You will need to size and make your own stencil. To be 100% the pattern is not simply sprayed on, it is branded into the fabric. However, an allowance has been made for painting the matrix. To date only one costumer in the Legion has recreated the recessed pattern of Visas Marr's outer coat. Be well.