167: “Proton Torpedoes away!”
c.1982/83? | age 14/15? ‘Proton Torpedoes’ always sounds a bit funny to me. Kind of like “Chewie, bring me the Hydro-Spanner‘.” I suppose Proton and Hydro must sound sound kinda futuristic and , I dunno… er, spacey?
I’m a Diversion?
“Remember, we (X-Wings) are to divert the defences from the Y-Wings – who are making the attack” (Blue Leader?)
Suicide Mission
So Han was right. It is a suicide mission. Do you think when Luke spent all of those years on the farm, dreaming of being a famous rockstar pilot, saving the Galaxy and getting the girls; he pictured himself flying about for a few minutes with a big red sign on the side of his ship reading
“HEY! OVER HERE—SHOOT AT ME!”
?
No, I don’t think so either.
When I re-listened to the Radio Dramas a few years ago, for the first time since I was a young teenager, I heard this expressly stated as the tactic, by one of the characters—maybe Red or Blue Leader—as the tactic. I was surprised that I’d forgotten all about it. I should have at least made the connection between the Y-Wings as the WWII Bombers, and the X-Wings as the supporting WWII fighter plane escort. But it’s expressly stated that the X-Wings are to draw the enemy fire from the Y-Wings!
…
Art Notes
You can see the rust stains around the staple holes on Blue Leader’s left cheek
If I did that first panel today, I think I’d actually be pretty happy with it. Though I think the linework would be in a different style. I probably drew it when I was around 15 or so. There was no doubt in my mind at that point in my life: I was going to be a comic artist. I was. I just bloody well was! It was great back in the days when I still had ambition. But of course, it was partly based on my naivety, but I wouldn’t mind some more of that now. You know, the belief than when you get older, you’ll be one of the best that there is—at what you do—in the world.
Best. In the world.
When you’re young, you’re innocent of how the world works and even that there are lots of other very talented people out there. It’s a great time of your life. Anything seems possible!
But anyway, this drawing is so good that it makes me wonder if I copied it from something else! There’s a real maturity about it and I don’t just mean technically. The perspective is pretty damned good but it has a serious, real-life feel to it. Quite cinematic.
Maybe it was inspired by Gene Colan and Tom Palmer’s ‘Tomb of Dracula’ Marvel Comics artwork? Maybe Blue Leader’s wearing Blade’s goggles!
My all-time favourite comic art. Gene Colan & Tom Palmer, on Marvel’s ‘Tomb of Dracula’
…
Proton Torpedoes are like torpedoes, but . . . IN SPACE!
Yep, that’s the big very technical difference, Rob.
But maybe sort of obvious when you think about it.
Or maybe if you don’t think about it.
Who cares? It’s:
SPAAAAAAAACE….
“Another great rendition John! It was years before someone explained to me that the whole attack on the death star was essentially dambusters in space…Barnes Wallis’s wife even has a pre-cursor to Princess Lea’s hairstyle! Tactically speaking – and even in WW2 terms – the rebel attack is a mess…. There is no ‘suppression of enemy air defence’ and why would you send in just three ‘ships’ at a time? It makes them easy targets for enemy ‘fighters’… I’m afraid Lucas’s X Wings and Y Wing’s wouldn’t have lasted for more than a few seconds against any well trained pilots of WW2….. Sorry! Got carried away again! The main thing is your art is great!”
Whoa. Jack White (can I call you that?) you made this when you were NINE?!? I draw all the time (when I’m not on BMS) and I’m not that good. And all from memory?!? HOLY CRAP ON A CRACKER!
Hiya Zayne and welcome!
Don’t feel so bad. I did this page when I was around 14 or 15. You should see the 1977/78 pages – when I was 9! Like this one:
http://starwarsage9.com/comic/tantive-iv-pursued-001/
It does make sense that you weren’t 9 years old when you made this one because of the use of “damn”. For a nine-year-old, stupid is a bad word. 😉
I remember using the word ‘crap’ when I was 8 or 9 and my dad sat down beside me and explained:
“John. You know, that’s quite a bad word. It’s the same as saying ess-ache-eye-tee”
A few years later on when putting in things like “HOLY SHI..” I probably did feel a bit of a thrill:
http://starwarsage9.com/comic/thats-no-moon-088/
I’m surprised even now to see it to be honest!
Nice work 15 yr old John. Now go get 9yr John so I can take the piss.
That said, spookily you spelled ‘Remmember’ the way I used to in school when I was 10 – I got reprimanded for it and never spelled it wrongly again LOL.
As for back panel – smashing – and good to see that berk is still stuck on the gantry nub.
“Are you kidding? – a 9 year old kid could draw this (Pssst… go get me a 9 year old kid).” Paraphrasing Groucho – but you knew that.
That poor berk can’t get down! I think he wants to TAKE a piss. Add that to extreme nerves.