Star Wars: Visionaries
Encyclopedia
Star Wars: Visionaries is a 2005 collection of 11 stories written and drawn by concept artists who worked on the film Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
. The book is published by Dark Horse Comics
and edited by Jeremy Barlow
.
The opening story, "Old Wounds" by Aaron McBride, is set in "the third year Imperial Occupation" and begins with Owen Lars trying to teach new words to a toddler-age Luke Skywalker
. They see a strange figure on the horizon running towards the Lars homestead, and Owen instructs his wife Beru to bring him his rifle and take the boy inside. The figure dodges warning shots with ease and uses the Force to disarm Owen before smashing the weapon over his head. Standing on triple-jointed droid legs and concealed by a dark hood, the figure calls out through the Force to an unseen enemy. The voice claims to have been tracking this adversary for years, just missing him by two days on Kamino
one day on Geonosis and only a few minutes on Mustafar
. He had then killed witnesses on Polis Massa before finally gaining crucial information on Mos Espa from an aged Watto
, whom he beheads for his greed. The creature declares that he knows threatening Luke would bring his adversary out into the open, to which the hidden voice finally asks through the Force, "Does Palpatine know?" The cyborg-legged monster replies, "No. There is no Palpatine
. No Empire. No Jedi
. There is no Light. No Dark... Just you and I here now." At this point, Obi-Wan Kenobi
bursts out from the sand. The dark figure casts off his hood and reveals himself to be Darth Maul
, his severed lower body replaced by a pair of large cybernetic legs and abdomen, and his cranial horns having grown, crown-like, to over three times their original length. Kenobi and Maul engage in furious combat, in which Maul loses a further arm and four horns before being held at Kenobi's mercy. With his lightsaber
hilt to Maul's forehead and his finger on the blade-ignition button, Kenobi hesitates to execute his helpless opponent, but has the decision taken out of his hands when the revived Owen blows the former Sith's head apart with his damaged rifle.
This tells the story of the Battle of Hoth in the eyes of a young Rebel soldier, Corporal Jobin Mothma. He has recorded a holographic message for his mother, and the words in his message parallel the events in the story.
The Rebel troops prepare for the Imperial assault, and the Empire unloads AT-ATs and Juggernauts. Jobin fights in the trenches with his squad. One of his men spots a group of snowtroopers and an AT-ST advancing on the Rebellion's Planetary ion cannon. After attempting to reach Ion Control, he and four of his men rush to outflank the AT-ST.
Meanwhile, the snowtroopers inside the now-captured emplacement listen to Rebel requests for ion support. The Rebels burst in. They dispatch the Imperials, losing a squad member. When Jobin fires the cannon, his men set it to self-destruct. The three remaining troops retreat to Hangar Bay Seven, only to find Darth Vader
and his troops.
Jobin and his squad retreat to Hangar Bay Ten, but Jobin is shot. He gives his recorded message to one of his men. Darth Vader briefly interrogates him, but he doesn't talk. Vader kills him. Mon Mothma, apparently Jobin's mother, reads Jobin's letter at the Rebel rendezvous point near Sullust. Crix Madine tells her he's dead. She then goes to brief the Rebels for the Battle of Endor, with resolve in the words: "The emperor has made a critical error.".
The Fourth Precept is an artistic representation of the fight between good and evil. Two figures fight with lightsabers in various ethereal settings. It has no dialogue.
Imperial Recruitment is a series of beautiful, scantily-clad human women in various military scenes with slogans urging citizens to enlist in the Imperial Navy.
A Wookiee hunting expedition in the jungles of Kashyyyk becomes something far more dangerous than expected when a young warrior discovers a Separatist invasion force.
Celestia Galactica Photografica consists of a series of paintings depicting various scenes of the Galaxy
; in terms of canonicity, they are in-universe paintings made by in-universe artists.
On Kalee, a Kaleesh General named Qymaen jai Sheelal boarded a shuttle to fight against the Huk. A device was planted on the shuttle, and Darth Tyranus
watched him through electrobinoculars as the shuttle exploded. Sheelal fell from the burning wreckage into the water below. Two Magna Guards were sent to pull the legless general out of the water, and a medical droid checked his vitals. Tyranus administered a heart stun to keep Sheelal briefly alive and ordered the droids to transport the Kaleesh to Geonosis immediately, declaring him ready for experimentation.
Sheelal awakened in a tube full of green liquid, and was greeted by San Hill. Hill told him an InterGalactic Banking Clan frigate recovered the General's escape pod and brought him to Geonosis. Sheelal wanted to go back to Kalee to be with his troops, but Hill told him he wouldn't survive the trip, and proposed an experimental new treatment. Sheelal was interested in getting back, and was apathetic towards the Separatist "New Order". Qymaen accepted the offer, but Dooku sensed shallowness in his allegiance, and ordered Poggle the Lesser to leave him in the tank for a while longer. Count Dooku
then showed the Archduke his old friend Sifo-Dyas, who was cryogenically preserved. Months later, Dooku gave Sheelal Sifo-Dyas's lightsaber as a gift. Dooku reported to Darth Sidious
, saying that the experiment was successful. Qymaen lost his carnality, but still had anger, vanity, and a good mind for strategy. The newly christened General Grievous
, enraged at being called a droid, used his new lightsaber
to kill all of the Magna Guards surrounding him.
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith is a 2005 American epic space opera film written and directed by George Lucas. It is the sixth and final film released in the Star Wars saga and the third in terms of the series' internal chronology....
. The book is published by Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics
Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent American comic book and manga publisher.Dark Horse Comics was founded in 1986 by Mike Richardson in Milwaukie, Oregon, with the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals. Richardson started out by opening his first comic book...
and edited by Jeremy Barlow
Jeremy Barlow
Jeremy Barlow is an American soccer player currently playing for Richmond Kickers in the USL Second Division.-Youth and college:...
.
Old Wounds
- Story and Art: Aaron McBride
- 13 pages
- Galactic Year: 16 BBY
- Preceded by: The Value of Proper Intelligence to Any Successful Military Campaign is Not to be Underestimated
- Followed by: The Destroyer
The opening story, "Old Wounds" by Aaron McBride, is set in "the third year Imperial Occupation" and begins with Owen Lars trying to teach new words to a toddler-age Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker
Luke Skywalker is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the original film trilogy of the Star Wars franchise, where he is portrayed by Mark Hamill. He is introduced in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, in which he is forced to leave home, and finds himself apprenticed to the Jedi master...
. They see a strange figure on the horizon running towards the Lars homestead, and Owen instructs his wife Beru to bring him his rifle and take the boy inside. The figure dodges warning shots with ease and uses the Force to disarm Owen before smashing the weapon over his head. Standing on triple-jointed droid legs and concealed by a dark hood, the figure calls out through the Force to an unseen enemy. The voice claims to have been tracking this adversary for years, just missing him by two days on Kamino
Kamino
Kamino is an ocean planet, in the fictional Star Wars universe, similar to Mon Calamari and Manaan. It was here that the Army of the Republic was generated. It is inhabited by a race of tall, elegant, long-necked creatures, called Kaminoans, who keep to themselves and are known for their cloning...
one day on Geonosis and only a few minutes on Mustafar
Mustafar
Mustafar is a fictional planet in the Star Wars universe. It is depicted in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.The planet is covered by hundreds of volcanic caldera, most of which are in a state of constant eruption...
. He had then killed witnesses on Polis Massa before finally gaining crucial information on Mos Espa from an aged Watto
Watto
Watto is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, featured in the films The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. He is computer-generated and played by voice actor Andy Secombe. He is a mean-tempered, greedy Toydarian, and owner of a second-hand goods store in Mos Espa on the planet...
, whom he beheads for his greed. The creature declares that he knows threatening Luke would bring his adversary out into the open, to which the hidden voice finally asks through the Force, "Does Palpatine know?" The cyborg-legged monster replies, "No. There is no Palpatine
Palpatine
Palpatine is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the Star Wars saga, portrayed by Ian McDiarmid in the feature films.Palpatine first appeared as the unnamed Emperor of the Galactic Empire in the 1980 film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
. No Empire. No Jedi
Jedi
The Jedi are characters in the Star Wars universe and the series's main protagonists. The Jedi use a power called the Force and weapons called lightsabers, which emit a controlled energy flow in the shape of a sword, in order to serve and protect the Republic and the galaxy at large from conflict...
. There is no Light. No Dark... Just you and I here now." At this point, Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Obi-Wan Kenobi is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe. He is one of several primary characters in the Star Wars series. Along with Darth Vader, R2-D2, and C-3PO, he is one of the few major characters to appear in all six Star Wars films...
bursts out from the sand. The dark figure casts off his hood and reveals himself to be Darth Maul
Darth Maul
Darth Maul is a fictional character in the science fiction saga Star Wars. He is one of the main antagonists of Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, portrayed by martial artist Ray Park and voiced by Peter Serafinowicz....
, his severed lower body replaced by a pair of large cybernetic legs and abdomen, and his cranial horns having grown, crown-like, to over three times their original length. Kenobi and Maul engage in furious combat, in which Maul loses a further arm and four horns before being held at Kenobi's mercy. With his lightsaber
Lightsaber
A lightsaber is a fictional weapon in the Star Wars universe, a "laser sword." It consists of a polished metal hilt which projects a blade of light about 1.33 metres long. The lightsaber is the signature weapon of the Jedi order and their Sith counterparts, both of whom can use them for close...
hilt to Maul's forehead and his finger on the blade-ignition button, Kenobi hesitates to execute his helpless opponent, but has the decision taken out of his hands when the revived Owen blows the former Sith's head apart with his damaged rifle.
The Artist of Naboo
- Story and Art: Erik Tiemens
- 12 pages
- Galactic Year: 19 BBY
- Preceded by: Revenge of the Sith
- Followed by: Sithisis
Wat Tambor and the Quest for the Sacred Eye of the Albino Cyclops
- Story and Art: Mike Murnane
- 13 pages
- Galactic Year: 19 BBY
- Preceded by: Brothers in Arms
- Followed by: The Brink
Sithisis
- Story and Art: Derek ThompsonDerek ThompsonDerek Thompson is a British actor, most notable for playing Charlie Fairhead in the long-running BBC television medical drama series Casualty.-Early life:...
- 14 pages
- Galactic Year: 19 BBY
- Preceded by: The Artist of Naboo
- Followed by: Orders
Entrenched
- Story M. Zachary Sherman
- Art: Alex Jaeger
- 12 pages
- Galactic Year: 3 ABY
- Preceded by: Tag and Bink Are Dead 2
- Followed by: Blind FuryBlind FuryBlind Fury is a 1989 samurai/action film directed by Phillip Noyce. It is a loosely based, modernized version of Zatoichi Challenged, the 17th film in the Japanese Zatoichi film series. The film stars Rutger Hauer as Nick Parker, a blind, sword-wielding Vietnam War veteran, who returns to the...
This tells the story of the Battle of Hoth in the eyes of a young Rebel soldier, Corporal Jobin Mothma. He has recorded a holographic message for his mother, and the words in his message parallel the events in the story.
The Rebel troops prepare for the Imperial assault, and the Empire unloads AT-ATs and Juggernauts. Jobin fights in the trenches with his squad. One of his men spots a group of snowtroopers and an AT-ST advancing on the Rebellion's Planetary ion cannon. After attempting to reach Ion Control, he and four of his men rush to outflank the AT-ST.
Meanwhile, the snowtroopers inside the now-captured emplacement listen to Rebel requests for ion support. The Rebels burst in. They dispatch the Imperials, losing a squad member. When Jobin fires the cannon, his men set it to self-destruct. The three remaining troops retreat to Hangar Bay Seven, only to find Darth Vader
Darth Vader
Darth Vader is a central character in the Star Wars saga, appearing as one of the main antagonists in the original trilogy and as the main protagonist in the prequel trilogy....
and his troops.
Jobin and his squad retreat to Hangar Bay Ten, but Jobin is shot. He gives his recorded message to one of his men. Darth Vader briefly interrogates him, but he doesn't talk. Vader kills him. Mon Mothma, apparently Jobin's mother, reads Jobin's letter at the Rebel rendezvous point near Sullust. Crix Madine tells her he's dead. She then goes to brief the Rebels for the Battle of Endor, with resolve in the words: "The emperor has made a critical error.".
The Fourth Precept
- Story and Art: Stephen Martiniére
- 6 pages
The Fourth Precept is an artistic representation of the fight between good and evil. Two figures fight with lightsabers in various ethereal settings. It has no dialogue.
Prototypes
- Story and Art: Robert E. Barnes
- 12 pages
- Galactic Year: 132 BBY
- Preceded by: The Apprentice
- Followed by: Heart of Darkness
Imperial Recruitment
- Story and Art: Feng Zhu
- 2 pages
Imperial Recruitment is a series of beautiful, scantily-clad human women in various military scenes with slogans urging citizens to enlist in the Imperial Navy.
Deep Forest
- Story and Art: Sang Jun Lee
- 14 pages
- Galactic Year: 21 BBY
- Preceded by: Rather Darkness Visible
- Followed by: The Battle of Jabiim
A Wookiee hunting expedition in the jungles of Kashyyyk becomes something far more dangerous than expected when a young warrior discovers a Separatist invasion force.
Celestia Galactica Photografica
- Art: Ryan Church
- 12 pages
Celestia Galactica Photografica consists of a series of paintings depicting various scenes of the Galaxy
Star Wars Galaxy
Star Wars Galaxy may mean:* Star Wars Galaxies, a Star Wars themed MMORPG platform for Microsoft Windows* Star Wars galaxy, the fictional galaxy where the setting of the Star Wars saga occurs...
; in terms of canonicity, they are in-universe paintings made by in-universe artists.
The Eyes of Revolution
- Story and Art: Warren J. Fu
- 14 pages
- Galactic Year: 23 BBY
- Preceded by: Way of the Warrior
- Followed by: Full of Surprises
On Kalee, a Kaleesh General named Qymaen jai Sheelal boarded a shuttle to fight against the Huk. A device was planted on the shuttle, and Darth Tyranus
Count Dooku
Count Dooku is a fictional character from the Star Wars universe. Dooku is one of the main antagonists of both Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and the events of the Clone Wars and is a supporting villain in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Count Dooku plays a substantial role...
watched him through electrobinoculars as the shuttle exploded. Sheelal fell from the burning wreckage into the water below. Two Magna Guards were sent to pull the legless general out of the water, and a medical droid checked his vitals. Tyranus administered a heart stun to keep Sheelal briefly alive and ordered the droids to transport the Kaleesh to Geonosis immediately, declaring him ready for experimentation.
Sheelal awakened in a tube full of green liquid, and was greeted by San Hill. Hill told him an InterGalactic Banking Clan frigate recovered the General's escape pod and brought him to Geonosis. Sheelal wanted to go back to Kalee to be with his troops, but Hill told him he wouldn't survive the trip, and proposed an experimental new treatment. Sheelal was interested in getting back, and was apathetic towards the Separatist "New Order". Qymaen accepted the offer, but Dooku sensed shallowness in his allegiance, and ordered Poggle the Lesser to leave him in the tank for a while longer. Count Dooku
Count Dooku
Count Dooku is a fictional character from the Star Wars universe. Dooku is one of the main antagonists of both Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones and the events of the Clone Wars and is a supporting villain in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Count Dooku plays a substantial role...
then showed the Archduke his old friend Sifo-Dyas, who was cryogenically preserved. Months later, Dooku gave Sheelal Sifo-Dyas's lightsaber as a gift. Dooku reported to Darth Sidious
Palpatine
Palpatine is a fictional character and the main antagonist of the Star Wars saga, portrayed by Ian McDiarmid in the feature films.Palpatine first appeared as the unnamed Emperor of the Galactic Empire in the 1980 film Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back...
, saying that the experiment was successful. Qymaen lost his carnality, but still had anger, vanity, and a good mind for strategy. The newly christened General Grievous
General Grievous
General Grievous is a fictional character in the Star Wars universe, an antagonist in Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. He was voiced by Matthew Wood...
, enraged at being called a droid, used his new lightsaber
Lightsaber
A lightsaber is a fictional weapon in the Star Wars universe, a "laser sword." It consists of a polished metal hilt which projects a blade of light about 1.33 metres long. The lightsaber is the signature weapon of the Jedi order and their Sith counterparts, both of whom can use them for close...
to kill all of the Magna Guards surrounding him.
External links
- Star Wars: Visionaries at Dark Horse Comics.