The Clone Emperor's Full Circle

[The Clone Emperor]

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.

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.

2005 I am surprised to find myself illustrated by Joe Corroney as The Clone Emperor in the Star Wars Insider Issue 83

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;

Hasbro Comic 2-pack Dark Empire II panel art by Brian Rood
The Clone Emperor by Thomas Spanos

From Rebelscum.com;

(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;

For comparison, this is an image of my costume from this year's Dragon*Con (Photo by Postalnik):

A nice dark circle.

Be well,
Thomas

 

[TR 4059]

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.

 

[Odran Kor]

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...

 

[Clone Master]

Great looking costume

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

 

[SaxeCoburg]

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

 

[RBF]

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!!

 

[Replicant Shadow]

rock me amadeus! Awesome Thomas!

 

[maycol]

wow, that is so cool ^_^

 

[Boba Leo]

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

 

[Murphoid]

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

 

[The Clone Emperor]

like a circle within a spiral

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;

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.

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

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;

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.

 

[zxwing]

Just awesome.

 

[Studio Fett]

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

 

[Star Wars Chick]

Super cool Thomas!

 

[The Clone Emperor]

The Essential Atlas

Thank you all kindly.

I am tickled to share this recent appearance of The Emperor Reborn from Star Wars: The Essential Atlas;

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

 

[Thaxos]

Wow, that is simply amazing!

 

[RBF]

stunning.,..

 

[woodman]

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

 

[DarthCarcinus]

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

 

[Star Wars Chick]

That is awesome Thomas!