Dark Empire: Art & Action Figures

When you mention Dark Empire to a Star Wars fan, you get some comments about the story and art inside, both good and bad. But when you mention it to comic book enthusiasts, they rave over the covers, as do SW fans of course! Dave Dorman was the cover artist and he would do a lot of cover work for Dark Horse Comics over their run over Star Wars comic books. The cover to issue 1 is striking, and the only bad image is Leia, which would be corrected later on to be more accurate to her likeness. Then the cover of issue 2 with Luke in a Vader like outfit is even more breathtaking! He would do the covers for all 14 Dark Empire/Empire's End comics.

Dark Empire 1 Covers: https://www.coverbrowser.com/covers/star-wars-dark-empire

For Dark Empire II, he upped his game. The cover to issue 3 is quite enticing for young teenage boys just discovering girls, and was the best selling issue amongst my age group at the time.

Dark Empire II issue 3 cover: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/f3/1e/7a/f31e7ab292ffbcf1757571b15a161b6c.jpg

Since I'm limited on space, here are more images of his work, including covers for Crimson Empire: https://duckduckgo.com/?q=Dave+Dorman+Dark+Empire+Covers&t=h_&iax=images&ia=images


Toys, toys, toys!

Dark Empire would also be the 1st Comic Book series to have toys, in the Star Wars franchise (obviously super hero toy lines had bee done before but not with SW). In 1998, the POTF2 line debuted the Expanded Universe line, and offered more Dark Empire characters than Thrawn Trilogy characters. From Dark Empire we got:

Imperial Sentinel, which was originally designed to be Atha Prime, the main villain for Kenner's continuation of Star Wars: https://www.jedibusiness.com/figureDetails.aspx?id=1344

Clone Emperor, the best version of him. Besides he's younger! https://www.jedibusiness.com/figureDetails.aspx?id=1343

Luke Skywalker, sadly not in his Darth Vader like outfit, but close enough: https://www.jedibusiness.com/figureDetails.aspx?id=1120

Leia Organa Solo, unique because this in the first ever action figure to be Leia as a Jedi. Even if her lightsaber blade is red. https://www.jedibusiness.com/figureDetails.aspx?id=1347

Over a decade later, Hasbro went back to the Dark Empire well, this time from the 1st issue of Dark Empire II. Luke is not a bad figure, has the Vader type outfit. Palpy, well, keep the robes on because he looks like he escaped from some sort of bondage situation. Seriously keep it on. You'll be scarred for life if you take it off.

Luke: https://www.jedibusiness.com/figureDetails.aspx?id=96

Palpy (thankfully they don't show him without the robe): https://www.jedibusiness.com/figureDetails.aspx?id=97

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

My SWTVC March Madness Top 25

  So I've finally gotten around to making my Top 25 for the SWTVC March Madness Tournament, and as a a reminder, the final day to get your Top 25 list is January 31st! When making your list, 1 is the most desired, with 25 being the least desired. So here is my list, with an explanation why they're ranked at their position. Some obvious omissions are Luke and Han from ANH because I think they'll both be in March Madness, and I did my best to spread it across the 9 episodic movies, plus video games and other expanded universe material. And as Casey Kasem said: "On with the countdown!" 1. Joruus C'baoth. He's my top choice because he's coming to the Black Series, and he's a Legends character. Plus since we have Thrawn, I want a C'baoth to better interact with him. This would have been Legends Thrawn, but due to the rules he couldn't be made as there is already an officer buck. 2. Mara Jade. You may have noticed my Legends trend, and you'd
Read more

The Choice

 Finally posting this fan fiction! It's my retelling of the Book Of Boba Fett Finale, and instead of the 1st 2 chapters, I'm publishing the 1st 4! Just have 2 more chapters and the Prolouge to write, and the conclusion will come sometime next year. Disclaimers: I don't own the characters and am only writing this for entertainment purposes, and am not seeking financial compensation for this work. In the comments I have notes about the characters.  Dramatis Personae Luke Skywalker Grogu Din Djarin Boba Fett Fennec Shand Black Krrsantan Mara Jade Pelli Motto Ren Xanatos (Ren's enforcer) Ardella (Ren's enforcer) Komat Cad Bane Prologue Ren sat on his throne, and was attempting to calm the rage growing at the holographic image before him. The Pyke Syndicate representative had told him of what had happened to the Marshall of Freetown on Tattooine. Not the leader of the syndicate, but a lackey tells him this. A lackey! And to top it off, without coming to him
Read more

2024 Last Figure Standing

Image
  Once again, Last Figure Standing is back for 2024! The rules are simple, 10 figures in order of preference. And another reminder this is for the Vintage Collection, I don't know if there is anything similar for the Black Series but if there is I'll share it here. Also note this was written in late July, as after SDCC, I have a few changes from last year's list since some of those are being made, but I don't see any changes for when this will start. And I should point out that voting hasn't started yet, but I am simply getting a jump start as I just got the VC Jabba the Hutt yesterday, and don't have time for a review and comparison to the 2010 Legacy Collection Jabba ready to go. Now, not all of these figures will be new sculpts, and of course I have just about all eras of Star Wars represented in this list. 10. Rey (Episode 8 Throne Room Duel). I hate the Disney Trilogy, but I want this figure since Rey looks like a Jedi. I wouldn't say no to a Rey Skywal
Read more