The Phantom Bully!

Today marks the release of Jedi Academy 3: The Phantom Bully! Here's a look at the sketches I drew when I started thinking about the cover. For book covers, I usually try to come up with 10-12 ideas to choose from.

My editors at Scholastic and Lucasfilm look over the ideas, giving suggestions about what parts they like and which idea they like best overall. Then I draw a rough color sketch at actual print size based on their feedback.

Everyone gives additional feedback after that sketch - in this case, there was too much green and so the suggestion was to make the chalkboard blue instead. A few other tweaks, and the final cover art comes together.

The title text is printed green even though I draw it in black, and the other cover elements like the Jedi Academy logo are added from the previous books.

Darth Vader and Friends and happening and stuff

Darth Vader and Friends came out today, and over at the Chronicle Books blog you can read a bit about how I pitched that and Goodnight Darth Vader. The new issue of Star Wars Insider magazine also has a feature with some behind the scenes and unused sketches. This Saturday (May 2) is Free Comic Book Day, so I'll be at Aw Yeah Comics in Skokie, IL from 11am to 1 pm, and Monday  is May The 4th (Star Wars Day) and I'll be at The Book Cellar in Chicago from 4pm to 530ish. That means I won't be at the Cartoon Art Museum for the opening of a huge exhibition of art from Goodnight Vader and Vader and Friends, but stay tuned for details on the reception when I will be there in June. Finally, I was one of the judges for the UNIQLO Star Wars themed T-Shirt contest, but also got to design two new Star Wars shirts - one for men and one for kids.

Darth Vader and Friends!

Darth Vader and Friends will be out later this month, and if you pre-order now from Chronicle Books, you can get this free tote bag. I'll also be making some appearances starting this month. First up, I'll be at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim, with a panel on the University stage at 12:30pm on Friday (4/17) followed by a signing at Mysterious Galaxy (Booth #960) from 2-2:45pm. Then back in Chicago the following Friday (4/24), I'll be at C2E2, signing at Autographing Table #17 from 12-1pm. I'll also have a few of my Process Packs available for sale at C2E2, at the Scott Eder Gallery (booth 1760), which will also have other art of mine available for sale. The following night you can head to the CAKE BAKE fundraiser and bid on some of my hand-drawn trading cards. Finally, today is CCS shout out day - so go learn more about The Center For Cartoon Studies, where I'll be giving the commencement address in May.

UPDATE! Now with corrected times!

Saturday (4/18) at Celebration at 11am(PST), I'll be doing a short drawing demo at the starwars.com Cantina booth, which will also stream live on their site. And from 2-2:45pm, I'll be signing again at the Mysterious Galaxy booth.