He's disappeared (32)
Last Updated (Friday, 23 September 2011 17:47) Written by Administrator Wednesday, 21 September 2011 00:00
Art Notes
"Pah!"
"Hmph"
The Epic SWa9
Mouse-over the image to see the picture on the back!
This page is gas. From when I was 10 or 11. Zillions of fans - including Simon Pegg - are incensed about the new BluRay release. One focus of rage and frustration is that Darth now shouts "Noooooo" during Return of the Jedi. It wasn't enough that fans hated him doing it in the subsequently made Prequel. No, unfortunately, our George likes this sort of re-jigging: "It rhymes - kinda like a poem". But, sometimes it's better to leave characters in quiet contemplation - or to express their feelings physically. This is a visual medium after all - not Radio.
In today's naive page however, young me is guilty too: you get extra insight into what Darth was thinking when he struck Ben down. Vader's perplexed and even prods Ben's cloak with his saber. Didn't know you could do that - did you? It's reminiscent of that other oddity: « blood dripping off Ben's Saber in the Cantina.
(Uncredited)
Cringe
I do feel a bit embarrassed putting this page public to be honest. It makes me smile - and wince:
"Your no Jedi Darth. Oh, no. your no Jedi -"
Ben's tone mocks even from beyond the grave. Darth SHAKES his head - trying to snap out of it.
"Pah!"
What REALLY happened to Ben?
It's funny. When I was a kid, I saw Ben disappear when he was struck down and I never felt the need to understand why. I just accepted it as some amazing phenomenon. It didn't all have to be explained to me. It was almost like some religious faith I suppose - with all of its mysteries. "He became one with the force" Yep, sounds good.
Now, I think I can see that he changed from one form of energy or matter to another. It's quite likely that the expanded universe and the PT have explained it all 'scientifically'. After all, the having the power of the force within you is now all about Mitochondrial DNA-like Midichlorians. Disappointing really. I preferred the excitingly supernatural version. This is escapism after all.
Weird Ben Image!
Incidentally, if you saw the image on the back of this page (mouseover it) you'll be surprised by the daft, insensitive image of Ben being decapitated - or something. Don't ask me why it's like that. I mean, Ben just disappeared, didn't he? You knew that - I knew that. Tell you what, check out Marvel's version of it. Nutty!
Thanks for reading! Care to comment?
Comments
"But Stan Lee and George Lucas, you still haven't shown me what's gonna happen in that scene?"
(George whispers) "Don't tell Chaykin Stan, but we - uh - don't have any idea how we're going to do it. Alec Guinnes has only just uh, suggested that he not do the rest of the film."
(Stan shouts)
"Shuddup Chaykin and just do, er... some shit or other. This comic hits the stands TOMORROW!"
Now I'm playing catch-up. Bear with me...
"Yes, you can strike me down Darth - but I'll pester the crap out of you from beyonnnnnddddd the grave..."
It wasn't until I watched the movie later that I realized it was somehow the force.
2.bp.blogspot.com/.../...
I love chaykin's art, probably due to early exposure to the Star Wars adaptation, but this scene always gets a laugh out of me (Ben's expression is priceless), and I don't think that's the effect Lucas was going for...
Imagine Chaykin's version with a 'Nooooooooooo' overdub for added comic effect :)
I wonder what else NOOOOOOOOOOoooo .... will be added to?
When the Scout Walker gets crushed by 2 Ewok logs will it roar - robotically NOOOoooo... What about when one of the Ewoks gets killed?
Will George "make it rhyme" when he gives Anakin a twin sister, and Threepio a grafted-on human hand, and Ben an Evil father and....
Yes, if you want 'daftness' - Marvel and SWa9 certainly fit the bill. Apparently there's also a Japanese Manga comic adaptation - which I wouldn't be able to stomach - but what I've seen is pretty wacky too.
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