Kosh
AVClub Fanatic
Βack to February 14-15, 1975, when Ralph completed his second painting for the film. Simply titled “Laser Duel” in his calendar, it would go on to become one of his most famous Star Wars paintings.
It features LORD DARTH VADER, BLACK KNIGHT OF THE SITH (as described in the 2nd draft screenplay) pitted against Deak Starkiller.
While commonly referred to as the “Luke versus Vader” painting (even by George Lucas), there was never a moment in the original screenplay where Luke and Vader faced off with lightsabers.
Included here are the original two part tissue (separate layers for the foreground characters and the hallway background) and the finished painting. Ralph chose to simplify things and not include the additional background characters from his original drawing in the painting, resulting in an even more striking image of the Dark Lord.
