Dark Empire : Luke Skywalker

[Black Falcon]

I’m going to have a go at the ‘Dark Empire Luke Skywalker’, specifically the Dave Dorman cover versions.

After looking at the various reference images I have decided on an approach.

This will be a slightly different interpretation from what I seen from other people attempting this build and also from the Battlefront II skins that have been made.

The elements that I can use from my Vader are as follows:

Boots, Shins, leather pants, leather sleeves and codpiece.

I have the 3 piece leather suit which means I don’t have to have the extra layer of leather on the body.

I also have a Master Replicas Luke ROTJ lightsaber although I am looking at other more accurate and durable options.

I could just use my Vader belt set as well but I feel that this is not quite right based on the illustrations.
Initially I’m going to use a ROTJ 2” leather belt together with a new buckle design combining the Vader and Death Trooper elements with a couple of extra details.
The boxes are also something which I am going to re-work. I’m going to use slightly smaller boxes to ROTJ Vader to better fit the smaller Luke scale. The light and button detail will be roughly approximated from the Dark Empire 2 #1 cover as this is the only image which shows the belt box.

I have a set of black gauntlet gloves which are a nice compromise between Vader’s and Luke’s from ROTJ. This may change depending on what else I can find.

The main difference from the previous builds is going to be the upper body soft parts and cloak.
Most versions have gone for a standard cloak with a high collar shoulder cape over the top. Possibly with the Jedi style cross over tabard that Luke wore at Jabba’s palace.
I feel that there should be a mandarin style collar shirt and then the shoulder cape is actually part of a half sleeve, layered, open fronted jacket with the cloak attached to the back of the high collar which can then either worn behind the shoulders or pulled completely over the front as in the Dark Empire #2 cover.

I have bought 2 Kung fu training jackets in 2 different sizes. The smaller one will be the shirt. The larger one, the basis for the outer jacket.
The wide closure panels on these jackets are reminiscent of the Jedi crossover robes.
Both will need the toggles removed. The shirt will also have the sleeves completely removed effectively making it a waistcoat, then it will need a new hidden fastening to keep the front closed, possibly Velcro.
The outer jacket will have the sleeves shortened and then the high collar added. This will be in a sateen material which will also be used to make the cloak. It may then have a couple of Velcro panels to keep its placement with the inner shirt.

As with Vader these layers will be tucked into the belt to also help maintain positioning.

The cloak will be attached to the base of the high collar, possibly permanently, maybe with Velcro for ease of packing separately. The cloak will generally sit behind the shoulders but will have enough width so that it can be pulled over to the front.

Finally, I am severely ‘follically challenged’ so the final piece will be a suitable wig.

I've attached the reference illustrations that I am using.

   

Edited October 30, 2021 by Black Falcon

[Black Falcon]

These are the parts that I have assembled so far. Mainly from my Vader suit.

 

 

Edited October 30, 2021 by Black Falcon

[Black Falcon]

First adjustments to the inner shirt.
Toggles and sleeves removed.
I'll need a new hidden fastening to keep the front together.

 

Edited October 30, 2021 by Black Falcon

[Black Falcon]

Here are my buckle variations.
The first is uses a modified Death trooper buckle to fit the proportions from the DE II #1 cover. I added a couple of Vader element (Slots and Disc).

 

The second is based closely on the Vader ROTJ buckle. This is more similar to the DE #2 cover.

 

The final one is just an idea of what could be on the DE Collected Cover and Issue 1 of Empire's End.

Edited October 30, 2021 by Black Falcon

[Black Falcon]

After a bit of analysis of my Vader cape, I now have a basic pattern. I'm making it a bit shorter than Vader but basically still the same.

Edited October 30, 2021 by Black Falcon

[DarthValkyria]

This looks fantastic, but I just want to give you head's up that the 501st and Rebel Legion have an agreement to not have cross-approved OG heroes. Things may be different now, but I want you to have all the information just in case it is a factor in the creation of the costume.

[Black Falcon]

This looks fantastic, but I just want to give you head's up that the 501st and Rebel Legion have an agreement to not have cross-approved OG heroes. Things may be different now, but I want you to have all the information just in case it is a factor in the creation of the costume.

Hey there.
Clearance was never a consideration for this, especially with the amount of ‘personal interpretation’ that it requires. It’s unlikely this would ever be added to either RL or 501st as there is no clear representation of all the costume elements.
I’m just making it for myself.
Hopefully I’ll do the artwork justice with my version.
Cheers.

[DarthValkyria]

That's just as good to hear. Costumes for the love of the character and not just for approval are just as important ❤️.

 

 

[Black Falcon]

While I'm waiting for the cape material I turned my attention to the belt and boxes.
I have a variety of parts from the Vader belt sets that I produce so I thought I could combine a few elements.
I still have a couple of Telefunken tape machines which I use the speaker mesh for the ANH Vader so I thought it would be interesting to see what other bits could be used. I eventually went with a couple of the buttons along with the speaker mesh. I combined this with some ESB/ROTJ silver knobs and a red panel light. Finally I chose some led rocker switches.

 

Edited October 30, 2021 by Black Falcon

[Black Falcon]

For the boxes themselves I decided to go with a couple of my early prototype Wookie bandolier boxes.
These are made in a very similar fashion to the Vader ANH boxes, folded aluminium.
Overall these match up quite nicely with the only image of a box which is seen on Dark Empire II #2 cover.

     

[Black Falcon]

I decided to go for a bit of a hybrid for the buckle. Mainly the design from the DE II #2 cover with a few cut out slots.
I also decided to use the traditional buckle hook system that was used for the OT filming on Vader's belts.

 

[Black Falcon]

And with a bit of wiring and a couple of LED's this is are now done. For the belt itself I went with the 2 1/4 inch (57 mm) ANH/ESB version.

 

  

 

I may add a bit of light weathering as Luke is likely to have seen a bit of action during this particular story timeline.

[Black Falcon]

Turned my attention to the saber as the Master Replicas is both a valued collectable and not very bright in convention settings.
I happened to have a cheap plastic Luke ROTJ with telescopic blade.
I took out the blade and made space for a RGB LED practice saber that I have.
Now I have a chunky 'comic art' style Luke hilt with a detachable blade and nice bright LED light source.
For the sake of convenience when out and about I also added a covertec clip so I can easily put it safely on my belt when needed.
I may do a new paint job to resemble the more weathered hilt.
-

  

[Black Falcon]

Quick update, bought a copy of 'The Art of Dave Dorman'.
Such really nice pieces in this, especially the Luke images.

[Black Falcon]

I added the high collar to the jacket and shortened the sleeves.

[Black Falcon]

Next was the cape.
I cut 4 panels in both the sateen material that I had chosen for the outer material and the satin which will be the lining.
 

I sewed the panels together and then the 2 half circles to each other.
 

Lastly I cut the curve for the neck.
I also decide to fold the cape back at the edges so it would fall behind my shoulders.
This also gave the cape more visual texture by showing the satin lining.

[Black Falcon]

I also found an interesting pair of gloves with some nice padded sections. Still unsure which I will use, these or the plain gauntlets.

[Black Falcon]

OK...I was in two minds as whether to post the images as even though I am quite pleased with how this turned out, I still feel it could be so much better.

I debuted this at MCM Birmingham UK last weekend.

Improvements to look at;

1 - The leather trousers are too loose.

2 - The shins need to be taller so that they completely cover from ankle to over the knee.

3 - The jacket sleeves need to be more prominent.

4 - The wig needs a lot of attention.

All that said, I was really pleased when someone actually recognised the costume.

  

[DarthValkyria]

1 - Leather is notorious for being hard to fit.

2 - Wigs are notorious for being pains, too!

 

It looks fantastic overall, and I am happy to see another Legends character brought to life!