The Clone Emperor's Full Circle

This represents a nice circle for me;
1993 Inspired by Star Wars and the work of Timothy Zahn, Tom Veitch and Cam Kennedy created Dark Empire, one of the first Dark Horse SW: Expanded Universe tales. The Clone Emperor is introduced as the main villain.
1998 Hasbro creates their first Clone Emperor action figure as part of their Expanded Universe line.
http://www.paralada.org/Estonia_self...winsider65.jpg
2002 I learn of the Dark Empire tales after discovering the Hasbro Clone Emperor action figure. I make my Clone Emperor as my very first "convention costume" to wear at Star Wars Celebration II.
http://www.paralada.org/Estonia_self...r/SWI83_tn.jpg
2005 I am surprised to find myself illustrated by Joe Corroney as The Clone Emperor in the Star Wars Insider Issue 83
http://www.paralada.org/Estonia_self...mperorLMOt.jpg
2006 Meaning well, my friends send me a forged lettre "from Hasbro" saying I had been chosen as the model for the retooling of their Clone Emperor. It was not meant to be a cruel gesture, but a cute way of introducing a gift they had made together; Darth Elmo.
1985 Austrian rock singer Falco oops...

Back in March (2008) I was contacted for reference images to be used in an upcoming LFL project. I could not however, confirm the nature of the project until recently. Even then I was asked not share the art work until the product was released. SInce I ran across the little guys at a Toys 'R Us today, I feel it is safe to share this;
http://www.paralada.org/Byss/DarkEmpireIImodel2008.jpg
Hasbro Comic 2-pack Dark Empire II panel art by Brian Rood
The Clone Emperor by Thomas Spanos

From Rebelscum.com;
http://www.rebelscum.com/2008/tlcCPlukeemperor1-tn.jpg
(Click to enlarge)

Only the art is based on my costume, not the figure. If you look closely at the art for Luke, you may notice that from the waist up, Luke's attire is based on the flip of this image;
http://www.paralada.org/Estonia_self...mar/cEO_07.jpg

For comparison, this is an image of my costume from this year's Dragon*Con (Photo by Postalnik):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3207/...c49d81cb_o.jpg

A nice dark circle.

Be well,
Thomas

Pretty cool, I guess I need to start collecting all your costume figs.
Funny story, I was at Walmart a couple weeks ago and some kid was checking out the comic packs and picked up the Ganner Krieg figure. I pointed to the picture and said, "psst....I know that guy". The kid looked at me and walked away, probably went go get security.

Congratulations!!!! It must be amazing becoming part of the Star Wars canon and history like you are doing again... A dream come true, for many of us, I guess...

Great looking costume

Now the fun begins the empire is on the rise again the rebels will run for cover

Thomas, My wife and I both wish I had hair like your's... really :thumbsup

congratulations, you must be proud of standing on a card of an official star wars action figure!!!

it's funny... I assume that as a kid you bought these things to play with... and now you are on one of them...

awesome!!

congrats again!!

rock me amadeus! Awesome Thomas!

wow, that is so cool ^_^

wau man, it look sweet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!congratulation!!!!!!!!

That is quite an impressive r'epertoire you have there, Thomas! Bravo. :D

Thank you TDH for your fellowship and your support.

To clarify; The "Dark Empire II" Clone Emperor action figure in the new comic two-pack is not based on my costume. My costume was inspired by The Clone Emperor from the original Dark Empire;
http://www.paralada.org/Estonia_self.../cE_Hasbro.jpg

The new comic-two pack Clone Emperor is based on an amalgam of the Emperor's appearance in Dark Empire, Dark Empire II, and Empire's End.
http://www.rebelscum.com/2008/tlcCPlukeemperor2-tn.jpg
Click to enlarge
If you peer under the robe, you'll notice the new Clone Emperor is barefooted--after his transformation into "The Dark Pilgrim" in Empire's End. His bare chest, arms and legs are covered with sickly looking light blue and Paine's Grey tumours--a rather drastic interpretation of the water colours of the comic art. (I took these spots to be a stylized representation of the Spaarti Tank fluid slipping of the Clone Emperor's body:)
http://images2.wikia.nocookie.net/st...Empire_121.JPG

My post is in reference to the new comic two-pack packaging; my costume was used as reference for both The Clone Emperor and Luke Skywalker's Dark Empire appearance in the panel art.

It was Imperial Knight Ganner Krieg that was based on my personal appearance;
http://www.paralada.org/Estonia_self...nner_Krieg.jpg

I am honoured to be part of the vehicle that inspires me most.

Be well,
Thomas

As for hair care tips; do the opposite of what I do and you'll do fine.

Just awesome.

That is so awesome! They made an action figure based upon you and more...way to go Thomas!

Super cool Thomas!

Thank you all kindly.

I am tickled to share this recent appearance of The Emperor Reborn from Star Wars: The Essential Atlas;
http://www.paralada.org/Byss/CloneEmperorAtlasCT.jpg
Illustration by Chris Trevas.

Chris contacted me last year with a reference request. The final illustration is meant to resemble a younger Ian McDiarmid.

The Essential Atlas officially went on sale today.

Be well,
Thomas

Wow, that is simply amazing!

stunning.,..

I would have made a great ugly cantina alien. I mean I'm just saying I'm no don johnson ya know. LOL!

Great stuff. That final image is stunning Thomas, Congratulations!

That is awesome Thomas!

Amazing man!

Just good stuff all the way round. Always look forward to seeing what you'll cook up at DragonCon each year.

Hey Thomas,

This does not surprise at all. Only you buddy only you.....hehe!! :D
Your 'costumes' always seems to amaze me. You have a quite of selection.
What can I say more bro! It's you!!! :cheers

Thank you one and all.

I very much enjoy working with other artists. Chris Trevas is prolific. I admire the depth of his illustrations. More than once, he has built props to better render them. (Conversely, I like to render props/costumes to better construct them.) I love learning about how the artists I admire work.

Related to the topic, I have a couple recent images to share;
http://www.paralada.org/2009/WWCC2009/WWCC0936.jpg
In keeping with the preference in red heads for covert Imperial operations, The Clone Emperor trains a new "Hand", Christy Hemme.

http://www.paralada.org/2009/WWCC2009/WWCC0928.jpg
The Clone Emperor, ¡Working it for Seven years and still swinging strong!

http://www.paralada.org/Byss/TCE_banner01.jpg
(Click to visit the recently revamped TCE project gallery)

Be well,
Thomas

I admire you big time Clone Emporer.

Haha, cool man. Very cool.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by The Clone Emperor

Thank you one and all.

I very much enjoy working with other artists. Chris Trevas is prolific. I admire the depth of his illustrations. More than once, he has built props to better render them. (Conversely, I like to render props/costumes to better construct them.) I love learning about how the artists I admire work.

Related to the topic, I have a couple recent images to share;
http://www.paralada.org/2009/WWCC2009/WWCC0936.jpg
In keeping with the preference in red heads for covert Imperial operations, The Clone Emperor trains a new "Hand", Christy Hemme.

http://www.paralada.org/2009/WWCC2009/WWCC0928.jpg
The Clone Emperor, ¡Working it for Seven years and still swinging strong!

http://www.paralada.org/Byss/TCE_banner01.jpg
(Click to visit the recently revamped TCE project gallery)

Be well,
Thomas

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Amazing... You know that many of us envy you, not only for your costumes, becoming the image of many characters... But also for that redhead in the first picture!!!!
Congrats!!!!