One of the highlights for fans and collectors at Star Wars Celebrations of the past has been the incredible selection of limited edition artwork prints available exclusively at the show. This year's Celebration Japan will be no exception, with several all-new original artworks from some of the best Star Wars illustrators working today. Each of these prints will be limited to just 250 pieces, so if you've got contacts in Japan, now would be a good time to call them in!
Erik Maell manages to condense everything we love about the original Star Wars film into one image. From the foreboding Darth Vader to the wise Obi-Wan Kenobi and everything in between, we are reminded that 30 years ago, these unfamiliar characters inspired a galaxy of fans.
London-based JAKe is back with another stylized rendition of our favorite heroes. Super Battle Station Assault Team 78 shows us that Artoo has always been cool but he's even cooler when drawn by someone with an accent.
Jason Potratz shows us that there are two sides to every story, the light side and of course, the dark side. It is amazing how many well-known faces he brings to life here and it is even more amazing how many more there are in the Star Wars Universe.
Everyone loves Han, Luke and Leia but this piece by Malcolm Tween really spotlights an unsung character, the Falcon. Our favorite heroes would be stranded without the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy. Its precious cargo is not spice but brave rebels, pirates, feisty Princesses and farm boys turned Jedi.
Paintbrushes usually bring sunflowers and butterflies to life, not robotic harbingers of death! Mark McHaley's fearsome General Grievous is full of dazzling color and form.
Matt Busch has pulled a "where's Waldo" in this fun piece. Though it was partially inspired by westerns, there aren't a lot of cowboy hats in the Star Wars galaxy. See if you can spot Matt Busch amongst the troopers, Jedi and Ewoks!
We would be a lot wiser if we were lucky enough to have instructors like Yoda. Monte Moore leaves the action behind and shows a moment of reflection as Luke learns the ways of the Force from a creature he at first dismissed as insignificant. Wars not make one great, indeed.
Otto Dieffenbach has chosen some of the most beloved Star Wars characters to recognize the 30 years of wonder and excitement they have brought us. From Leia's hair to Han's vest, these characters have become instantly recognizable old friends.
When you hear the infamous words "wretched hive of scum and villainy" you cannot help but think of the famous scene of Luke and Ben looking out over Mos Eisley. Little did Star Wars legend and concept artist Ralph McQuarrie know that this painting would turn into a legendary cinema moment.
Docking Bay 94 is where we first see the infamous Millennium Falcon. In a saga full of amazing and imaginative vehicles, the Falcon has stood out like none other. Both of these pieces by Ralph McQuarrie are unique originals, incorporating both initial sketches and final paintings done by the Master himself.
Randy Martinez's piece contrasts both good and evil, beauty and horror. Vader, twisted and evil, and Padmé, a character of grace and noble intentions. In the end, it just wasn't meant to be.
No wonder Han Solo always needed money. It would take more money than even he could imagine to keep spare parts stocked for a ship like his! Richard Chasemore and Hans Jennsen take a peek at the inner workings of the Falcon and show us why it is always handy to have a Wookiee co-pilot who is good with tools!
On the other side of this piece you will find a ship of a different kind. Slave-I is a ship that never breaks down and runs with deadly efficiency. With Boba Fett continually bringing home the bounty, Slave-I will never find itself in need of spare parts.
Tsuneo Sanda is back at yet another Celebration and he has brought his Jedi friends, in fact he brought all of the Jedi! Every Star Wars character who has ever picked up a lightsaber and stayed on the good side of the Force (or at least started there) is here. Looking at this lineup of noble and powerful warriors, it's a wonder that the Emperor could ever take power.
For Spencer Brinkerhoff's Sorry About the Mess, we get the feeling this isn't the first time the Cantina bartender has had to clean up after our favorite smuggler. If he didn't shoot first, who would have flown the Falcon?
Luke?
Are you kidding? This ain't like dustin' crops, boy.
This piece by Robert Hendrickson shows that although the saga may have been Vader's story, A New Hope is all about Luke. Watching him grow from farm boy to hero inspired earthbound movie watchers to dream big and realize unthinkable goals.
It's pretty impressive when you can make a girl holding a gun look both delicate and confident at the same time. Tsuyoshi Nagano does just that with this stunning tribute to Padmé Amidala. Incorporating looks from several different eras, Nagano shows us where Leia got her looks from.
