When Canadian comic book illustrator Doug Wheatley first piled into a theater with his fellow elementary school classmates to see Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope little did he know that years later he'd be drawing epic scenes in the comic book adaptation of Revenge of the Sith -- the first in the four-issue series scheduled for release April 2, and also available as a collected graphic novel.

"It was my first time in a theater and so I didn't really know what to expect," Wheatley recalls his first Star Wars memory. "The lights dimmed and suddenly, to my right on the stage, Darth Vader emerged with a glowing lightsaber in hand to introduce the film. I freaked out. Darth Vader and the Star Wars mythology would later become the only thing I would draw as a child for many years after. I collected and played with the toys, read the comics and dressed in black exclusively until the age of 18 or so. Mr. Lucas had profoundly inspired me with his film."

As an artistic teen growing up in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Wheatley pursued various art courses in high school including commercial art, and was mentored by an older professional artist named George Freeman who was known for his contribution to the Captain Canuck comics series (created by Richard Comely), worked for Marvel on titles such as Marvel Fanfare and Jack of Hearts, and also for other publishers like DC, Eclipse, Image and Dark Horse.

"George taught me much of what I needed to know to get work in the comic book industry," Wheatley says. "I will always be thankful for the time he gave me!"

Soon Wheatley found himself working on comics full-time for various companies when Dark Horse Editor Randy Stradley contacted him to see if he would be interested in creating a cover for Star Wars Bounty Hunters: Kenix Kil.

"I flipped out of course, and accepted the assignment," Wheatley remembers. "I think it was a year or two later that I was hired by Randy to do some interiors."

In addition to Star Wars Bounty Hunters: Kenix Kil, Wheatley has since illustrated covers for Empire #19 and 20, as well as worked as a penciler with Paul Chadwick on the Star Wars Empire: Darklighter series. He also lent his talents to Topps' Artist Sketch Card series drawing one-of-a-kind collectible portraits of some of the most beloved characters in the Star Wars saga.

Wheatley is also known by comic book collectors for his work on titles unrelated to Star Wars, such as his first comic Space Patrol, as well as Superman: Last Son of Earth, Superman: Last Stand on Krypton and Aliens: Avenging Angels -- Apocalypse, and comics featuring The Incredible Hulk, Blade the Vampire Hunter, Conan, among others.

But perhaps the most impressive and coveted project to date for Wheatley is his involvement in the comic book adaptation of Revenge of the Sith.

"I begged for the assignment, on my knees in the middle of the Dark Horse booth at the San Diego International Comic-Con convention," Wheatley laughs. "Jeremy Barlow, one of the editors at Dark Horse and I were having a chat. I was wrapping up my work on the Darklighter series and was considering what projects I would move on to next. I had some offers from other companies but I really wanted to continue working with Randy and Jeremy at Dark Horse and if editor Sue Rostoni at Lucasfilm would have me continue on as a Star Wars licensed artist."

"That's when it dawned on me that Episode III was coming up and I immediately asked Jeremy if an artist had been assigned to the adaptation," Wheatley continues. "Jeremy didn't think so and told me I should talk with Randy. Jeremy had not yet finished saying Randy's name when I started running toward the Dark Horse booth, my mind contemplating how cool it would be if Randy said I could do it. I can still remember Randy telling me the job was mine and would I please get up off the floor!"