via The Blog From Another World
We had the chance to chat with the amazingly talented Joe Quinones, who's providing covers for the upcoming Star Wars: Knight Errant comic book series.
TFAW.com: Thanks for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with us, Joe.
Joe Quinones: My pleasure.
TFAW.com: We've been following your blog, and it's pretty clear you're a Star Wars fan. Do you have any funny Star Wars-related stories?
JQ: I most certainly am! Per example, I'll divulge this little nerd trinket–when I graduated high school in 1999 (the year of Episode I) I walked on stage wearing a clip-on Jedi braid which I switched–along with my tassle–to my left side upon receiving my diploma . . . I did not have a girlfriend in high school.
Disclaimer: I now have a girlfriend and a cat (his name is Biggs Darklighter).
TFAW.com: How did you come to be a part of the Star Wars: Knight Errant team?
JQ: Through repetitious begging and pleading. Actually, I e-mailed Star Wars editors Randy Stradley and Dave Marshall and introduced myself, sending along some examples of my work. I'd told them how big a Star Wars fan I am, and asked if they had anything available for cover work or otherwise. They were kind of enough to write back, and though they didn't have something available at the time, told me they would keep me in mind for future projects. Thankfully they did. Two really nice guys.
TFAW.com: What's the process like for creating a comic book cover?
JQ: Well, generally I'll either be given a concept idea or a synopsis of the story inside, after which I'll sketch out a couple rough cover ideas. Working for Lucasfilm, they require at least three thumbnail sketches/ ideas for any given cover, which they'll then approve or edit.
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TFAW.com: What is your earliest memory of Star Wars?
JQ: My very earliest memory of Star Wars was when I was five or so–long before I had seen any of the movies–I had been gifted a small hardcover Return of the Jedi storybook. At the time, I thought it looked lame, couldn't have been less interested, and went back to playing with my Castle Greyskull playset. If I only knew . . . I didn't fully discover the greatness that is Star Wars until late elementary school, and haven't looked back since. Prince Adam be damned.
TFAW.com: Were there any images from Star Wars that inspired you for your Knight Errant covers?
JQ: Well, cover #3 is a direct homage to a Ralph McQuarrie production painting from A New Hope, so yes. Otherwise nothing so overt, though some of my favorite artists (Drew Struzan, Adam Hughes, Iain McCaig) are famous for their work in the SW universe and they are all certainly an inspiration to me.
TFAW.com: The composition and color palette for your Knight Errant covers are unique, how did you come to choose such striking elements?
JQ: Looking at initial character designs for the series, there seemed to be a distinct western/cowboy influence, particularly with the main character, Kerra Holt.
I feel environment is a really strong element of any western and can almost take on a character all its own. I wanted to play that up in the cover, so the setting behind Kerra is grandiose and dramatic, hopefully echoing the story to unfold.
I also like the idea that Kerra was one Jedi against an entire army of Sith, which I think nicely echoes old westerns where a single hero must bring back justice and order to a corrupted town. Keeping in that line of thinking, a couple of the cover sketches even directly referenced the poster for High Noon.
As for the coloring, I was looking for something dramatic and eye catching, but also thought it could be used to help to tell a story. Here the thought was that the lighting could be seen in two ways–early morning, as we dawn upon a new age in the Star Wars universe, or later evening, as night, along with the dangers of Odion's Sith army, descend upon Kerra. The latter option leads in thematically to the second cover in the series, where Lord Odion is seen in a similar composition, the night sky behind him, and flames all around.
Are you digging Joe's Knight Errant covers as much as we are? Let us know below.
Check out our exclusive interview with Knight Errant writer John Jackson Miller
Pre-order your copy of Star Wars: Knight Errant #1-2 today!
Start a Star Wars: Knight Errant Series Subscription (STARTING WITH ISSUE #2)
