Dark Jedi
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Dark Jedi |
| Publisher: | Delta Source Online |
| Editor(s): | Mark Richards |
| Date(s): | 1997- 1999 |
| Series?: | |
| Medium: | print, fanzine |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Star Wars |
| External Links: | WayBack Machine link & Editor's blog |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Dark Jedi is a gen Star Wars anthology published in the U.K. There were two issues.
Succession
This zine was one in a series, all by Mark Richards.
- Dark Jedi (November 1997-September 1999)
- Tales of the Empire (February 1998-June 2000)
- Delta Source (August 2000-Summer 2003)
Issue 1
Dark Jedi 1 was published in November 1997 and contains 121 pages. It has a front cover by James Simmonds and interior illos by Sandra Scholes.
From the zine:
No publication such as this is possible without the considerable effort and support of a group of very talented people, especially in an environment as rich as Star Wars. Dark Jedi has been lucky in that respect with a number of gifted writers and illustrators giving their time and work to make this 'zine possible.
Working on this project from the start, and the first to know of my ideas was Suzanne Godsalve. Also there almost from the start have been Jason Grant and Gary Tester, familiar no doubt to many of you, and especially readers of Eclipse. Both have given a tremendous amount of time and energy into putting together some very fine fiction and profiles for me to include. Together with Stephen Mohammed they have brought diversity, breadth and quality to these crammed pages. To complement all the engrossing text I have been fortunate to have two extremely talented Star Wars artists.
Firstly Sandra Scholes deserves a mention for the fabulous illustrations that she has done for the interior pages, and also for her unflagging enthusiasm and patience. I have found Sandra's work so impressive as it has visualised written images so well and effectively. James Simmonds accepted the challenge of designing the cover,and has fulfilled it with ease. Without his wonderful and perceptive illustration. Dark Jedi would be a considerably duller publication. Thank you to you all for making Dark Jedi.
Also from the zine: "The Idea and Creation of Dark Jedi":
Dark Jedi, to be honest, was bom out of a personal and very selfish desire to see my own work in print, after a long and frustrating time of not getting my efforts recognised. After I saw some of the other 'zines out there, notably Suzanne Godsalve's Child of Light; Child of Darkness, and read stories by other Star Wars authors, so the idea for Dark Jedi was born. Initially it was to be a broad Star Wars 'zine albeit covering fiction only, but from the perspective of the Rebel Alliance, Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo etc. and the Empire. With a universe as broad and diverse as George Lucas' Star Wars there was really limitless opportunities for adventures based both on the established characters, and contributors own creations.
For me personally, it was characters such as Vader and Tarkin in the original Star Wars that made the film so enjoyable. Of course I loved Chewbacca and the droids, and was enthralled by the adventures of Luke, Leia and Han, but it was the thought and prowess of this galaxy-wide Empire that could build a space station the size of a planet that really fired my imagination. Latterly Timothy Zahn's Empire Trilogy revitalised my interest in Star Wars, and the Imperial forces. Once again I was living my childhood, and reminiscing those wonderful moments from Star Wars, Empire and Jedi. Then things just seemed to explode from the Star Wars point of view, with a plethora of novels released since, the re-release of the films on video, and more recently the Special Editions. To top all of this the first of the prequel films is now just two years away. The Empire was suddenly alive once again, and led by a cunning and charismatic Grand Admiral Thrawn.
With Star Wars back in the forefront of my imagination it was some eighteen months ago that I began writing my first Star Wars fiction. I had already written a couple of other short stories, and it was wonderful to be able to enter the Star Wars universe and live and create whole new experiences. Few things in my life have given me greater reward and enjoyment, and it is somewhat remarkable that if it were not for George Lucas sharing his own imagination with the world that none of this would be possible. It may seem grandiose to say, but Star Wars must be something of a watershed in our lifetimes. I was bom the year before Star Wars was released, and so I have always lived with its influence firmly stamped on the world. I often wonder, but find it impossible, to imagine a world without Star Wars. It could only be a poorer place.
Many people have praised and acknowledged George Lucas for giving us this wonderful environment in which to let our minds free, and I will not be the last to do so either. Although I say thank you to George Lucas for providing us with these opportunities, I want to more especially thank everyone who has shared their own vision between these pages, and also those of you who are reading this.
All that remains for me to say is enjoy and May the Force be with you always.
- Introduction: The Idea and Creation of Dark Jedi (6)
- The ISB Chronicles: THe Renegade Master by Gary Tester (9)
- Admiral Daala in Profile by Gary Tester (50)
- The Birth of an Empire: I, Palpatine by Mark Richards (53)
- The First Trials by Suzanne Godsalve (59)
- Executor: Life Aboard Darth Vader's Flagship by Mark Richards (79)
- Dark Servants by Mark Richards (an alternative ending to Return of the Jedi) (83)
- The Doctrine of Fear: Grand Moff Tarkin by Gary Tester (102)
- Renaissance by Stephen Mohammed (108)
- The Last fo the Chicargatans: Grand Admiral Thrawn by Mark Richards (114)
- The Unknown Admiral: High Admiral Heres by Gary Tester (118)
- The ISB Chronicles: Reprisals by Jason Grant (120)
- front cover by James Simmonds, other art by Sandra Scholes
from issue #1, sample text
from issue #1, the characters: "Yoda & the Jedi Assemble on Dagobah"
from issue #1, the character: Mara Jade
from issue #1, the character: Grand Moff Tarkin
from issue #1, the character: General Admiral Thrawn
Issue 2
Dark Jedi 2 was published in September 1999 and 90 contains pages. It has the subtitle "The Return of the Empire." The issue includes a foldout A3 colour cover by John Conway of the Emperor and interior artwork by Sandra Scholes (8 illos) and Graham Walters (1 illo).
"Dark Jedi issue #2" won the Star aWards "Best 1999 Foreign SW Zine Under 100 Pages".
From the publisher's online flyer:
More of the best in Dark Side and Imperial fiction is now available in the second issue of Dark Jedi. Meet a whole galaxy of the darkest servants of the Empire from Darth Vader and Emperor Palpatine to the captain of a lonely Star Destroyer and discover the truth of Luke Skywalker's heritage. [1]
The editor blogged about his experiences working on Dark Jedi #2:
Selinthia Avenchesca provided some thoughtful poems on various themes connected with the Empire, Jason Grant provided two irreverent pieces - Grey Walker Down and Wraith Uncovered, while Joe Sales, Gary Tester, Richard J Thompson and Valerie Vancolie all contributed stories. A rather bizarre cross-over with Batman came courtesy of Graham Walters. I have always been doubtful of cross-overs and perhaps on reflection this one would have been better left out. Again, Sandra Scholes did a sterling job with the illustrations. Something I specifically asked all the contributors to do this time round was to provide a short piece describing the work they contributed or about themselves. This is fascinating to look back on and I note from Jason's piece such as using the names of the astronauts in Apollo 13 for the characters in Grey Walker Down which also drew inspiration from the title of another film - Grey Lady Down. [2]
By the editor, from the zine:
Welcome to Dark Jedi #2 and the return of the Empire! It has been almost two years since the first Dark Jedi was published and those of you with us on that first issue will notice a considerable number of changes this time round. For starters, the emphasis is wholly on the best in Imperial and Dark Side fiction, a new design and look to the 'zine, more fabulous artwork from the ever impressive Sandra Scholes and a breathtaking cover design from John Conway.
It is also reassuring to know that the quality of the fiction is as good, if not better, than the first issue. Once again Jason Grant and Gary Tester return along with new contributors to this fanzine - Selinthia Avenchesca, Valerie Vancollie, Joe Sales, Richard J Thompson and Graham Walters. All in all it's a superb issue and I hope that you will find much to enjoy over the next 90 or so pages. The response to the first Dark Jedi was positive and with the continued success of my bi-monthly Imperial fanzine. Tales of the Empire, I decided it was time to get another Dark Jedi together. That was just over a year ago and it has been a long and difficult twelve months to get from the concept for another Dark Jedi to fruition in the finished product, which you are now reading. There have been many reasons why it has taken so long but it certainly hasn't been due to the faultless commitment and enthusiasm of the contributing team. Dark Jedi was by far the biggest fanzine that I had ever attempted but in hindsight it was ironically the easiest to put together. Although I was new to Star Wars fanzines two years ago, it was my sole project and I had a clear idea of what I wanted. When I returned to make Dark Jedi #2 my schedule was much busier, writing not just Star Wars fiction and articles but also contributing to other fanzines, coupled with increasing demands of my full-time employment. Not to mention getting Tales of the Empire out every other month and working on a Web Site!
Having such a long development process has been frustrating for everyone involved, not least the contributors but they have remained committed to the project, even as the deadline slipped gradually back from spring to summer to eventually the autumn. I expect some of them seriously wondered if they would ever get to see their work in print! After all this is what they have spent their long, hard hours at the word processor for - to see their efforts published and being read. But Dark Jedi #2 is here at last, despite all the problems and constraints of time and budget. I hope that you will find much to enjoy and perhaps something in particular will inspire you as reading a fanzine called Child of Darkness; Child of Light 2, very much inspired me, two years ago. If it does, let us know. It is only through the feedback from the readers that fanzines such as these continue. The contributors to Dark Jedi #2 have worked very hard to bring you their unique and individual perspectives on the Star Wars galaxy - please show them your appreciation.
Finally, all that remains for me to say, in the best tradition is to utter those immortal words, which have at some time inspired us all: "May the Force be with you."
- What Embers May Hold by Selinthia Avenchesca (10)
- Visiting Hours by Selinthia Avenchesca (16)
- This by Selinthia Avenchesca (18)
- The Big Fight by Richard J. Thompson (20)
- Grey Walker Down by Jason Grant
- Wraith Uncovered by Jason Grant (36)
- Tales of the Empire: The Duel by Joe Sales (40)
- Imperial Assassin by Garry Tester (45)
- Darth Knight in Gotham City by Graham Walters (story about Darth Vader and his encounter with Batman) (51)
- Raven by Mark Richards (57)
- The Party by Mark Richards (66)
- Dark Heritage by Valerie Vancollie (What if Vader had managed to put Luke into carbonite on Bespin?) (73)
from issue #2, Sandra Scholes
from issue #2, Sandra Scholes
from issue #2, Graham Walters
from issue #2, Sandra Scholes
Author and Artist Statements from Issue 2
The second issue has extensive comments from the contributors, and they provide insight into the motivations and influences that went into their fanworks.
From the interior artist, Sandra Scholes:
I wanted to make the members of the Empire look as real and powerful as I possibly could. I gave their faces bold, stark lines and soulful eyes so that the readers looking at the pictures could see the person within the faces so it would put more meaning into the stories and profiles.
The introduction by Joe Sales for "Tales of the Empire: The Duel ":
In terms of my inspiration for the whole thing, ultimately I have to go back as far as the summer of 1978, when I glanced at a Star weekly comic at a local newsagent in Aylesbury where I then lived. I even went back there recently when I made a film called Elstree Strikes Back about the Star Wars phenomenon. I had never before looked at a comic, of any description - which for a seven-year-old may seem unusual - and I had only partially heard of the Star Wars phenomenon. But from that moment on, a seed was sown; three months later I went to see Star Wars itself for the first time at the Dominion, Tottenham Court Road, also the first time I had been to the cinema.
Life has never seemed quite the same since and to cut a lengthy story short, my own enthusiasm for the Star galaxy has adapted and developed with the passing years, to the extent that I've been creating my own Star Wars stories, trilogies and films and now tales from the Galactic Emperor himself. Any similarity to the characters and situations in Roald Dhal's Tales of the Unexpected is completely unintentional - any similarity to the characters and situations on Star Wars is completely intentional.
So read on, beware and do not underestimate the power of the Dark Side...
From the introduction to Graham Walters for "Dark Knight in Gotham City":
My far from illustrious writing career in amateur fiction writing began when I was eight years old. A short horror story I wrote was pinned up for my classmates to see in fiill printed glory.
As a kid I loved horror films. In the wake of Hammer, I was inspired to write novels about my favourite monsters. I'd also trade stories with my friends. I continued writing for my own amusement until around 1990, when I began writing articles and fiction for Dr Who 'zines. I also did some audiocassette 'zine articles at the time.
I have written for other 'zines too, covering the many facets of fandom. On the Star Wars side for example. Child of Light; Child of Darkness. My introduction to Star Wars was around 1976 or so. I saw a photo of a stormtrooper in NME magazine. I immediately ordered the soundtrack and novel. It was not until the video release of the film that I saw it, however, and then began collecting all I could on the movies. As well as Star Wars I am also a big Star Trek fan and enjoy most cult TV series, like Red Dwarf, The Prisoner etc.
In this story, Darth Knight in Gotham City, I decided to do a Batman/Vader crossover as I am a big fan of both characters. I did not attempt to set them against one another in a Mortal Kombat style, I did not wish to have a major confrontation.
My efforts in fiction are "humble" but I myself enjoy a simple style of fiction and do not try to be too taxing on the reader. Use your imaginations and I hope if you have not yet tried writing your own fiction you will be encouraged by this and put pen to paper, even if it is only for your own amusement. It is great fim and costs nothing!
From Mark Richards, author of "Raven" and "The Party":
I started writing Star Wars Hc^on in earnest about four years ago, having my first effort - The Hidden Jedi - published in the British Star Wars Fan Club fanzine. Since then, I have written more than 30 other pieces of short fiction, almost exclusively of the Empire and its agents.
I selected Raven and The Party as my two story contributions to DarkJedi because they are both very different While Raven is a dark tale focusing on revenge. The Party is a light and humorous caricature of some of the most memorable personalities of the Empire. Raven started in a very different form - originally it was to be the concluding part to a story series, which evolved and developed into something else, along altogether different lines. Still, I liked the concept and the idea of Raven^ so made it into a self-contained story in its own right. Revenge is its primary theme and while it concentrates on the events of the eponymous Star Destroyer and its unfortunate captain, there is also a certain amount of attention to the Emperor's past, which still for the most part, remains a very dark enigma.
The Party pickas out characters like Vader, Thrawn and Palpatine, choosing their most interesting or distinctive traits and expounding upon them in a comic and hopefully amusing way. Much of the inspiration for this story came from Jason Grant, who generously allowed me to use his two ISB agents, Alex and Acen to feature in the story's conclusion. Normally I only write "serious" material so including The Party here will hopefully prove that I do have a sense of humour too!
From Valerie Vancollie about "Dark Heritage":
I'm a fifteen year old Belgian girl living in the US who first saw Star Wars only a couple of years ago, but who's been nuts about it ever since. I got into writing fan fiction after I read some really good stories on the Internet and started dreaming up ideas myself.
The stories I write are about the father and son relationship between Luke and Vader and what could have been. The inspiration for this particular story came when Selinthia Avenchesca introduced me to the idea of Palpatine being Vader's father and thus Luke's grandfather. I combined this idea with another idea I had about Vader managing to get Luke into carbon freeze on Bespin and voila Dark Heritage.
From the author Selinthia Avenchesca:
For the works that appear here in Dark Jedi, my motivation was quite frank. I wished to display my admiration and extreme enjoyment of the Empire. In my poems (This and Essence of the Empire), I have displayed praise for the Empire in overall view, although This addresses more specific issues that Essence of the Empire^ which uses symbolism, does. However with my prose form pieces I address the characters themselves. Lord Vader and Emperor Palpatine in particular. As my favourite Star Wars characters (Palpatine only slightly less so that Vader) they are naturally the ones whom I would wish to explore. What Embers May Hold my personal style of surreal, dreamlike situations, exploring the thoughts and spirits of the characters, rather than using "shoot- em up" space battles as plot motivators.
The other story, Visiting Hours though shorter, provides possibilities that are interesting to explore, as alternate universes and "what ifs?" are my favourite story types as a general rule.
I hope that you enjoy my work as much, if not more, than I enjoyed writing it. May the Force be with you.
From the author, Richard J. Thompson about "The Big Fight":
This is my first attempt at writing a Star Wars story and the inspiration behind it come from The Ratdesnake, Stone Gold Steve Austin and the stars of WWF (the story is dedicated to Owen Hart, the brother of Brett "the hitman" Hart, who died recently!).
I am a bit of a horror freak so the lead character was inevitably a Shistavenaen (Were)Wolfman. The story also contains my fave Star Wars charact&rs - bounty hunters and Darth Vader.
I first witnessed George Lucas' phenomena when I went to my local cinema to see Return of the Jedi all those years ago...
From the author Jason Grant:
With my fiction, the inspiration comes from many places, sometimes a song title such as for my longest (and favourite) ISB adventure, ISB Chronicles: The Renegade Master {see DarkJedi #1). Other sources are scenarios, which I think are worth exploring and sometimes the inspiration is something as basic as a line of speech.
In this case, when the Apollo 13 movie got released, I was inspired by the words: "Houston we have a problem." If you read closely enough, you will notice that the three main protagonists have the names of the astronauts on that stricken space mission.
Anything else? Oh yeah, there was a submarine rescue film in which a US Navy vessel is trapped on the bottom of the ocean. The titular codeword for the incident was Grey Lady Down. The rest of the story got thrashed out whilst at the keyboard. Vader having the Ewok catapult was the original concept, with him Jedi- mindtricking visitors to not only fire themselves through the magnetic shield into space, but to take a vibroshiv to fight off any crewmembers trying to save them. The point of the story would be that the docking bay crew would have to attempt to stop the person from killing themselves, and if they succeeded, his/her life would be spared.
I then got inspired by the "Boys Own" titles of the Rogue Squadron novels, and wanted to do some Wraith related stories, featuring a combination of Wraiths and the "Rebel Wind-up Artists of Akrit'tar" from Murder on the Chimaera. I just managed to get the featured story completed before the Rogue Squadron novels started doing Wraith adventures of their own. The rest is just stuff taken to their logical conclusion, such as the Intelligence operatives who interviewed Vader regarding the Force. In hindsight, the ice-cream gag seems silly, but at the time, it was a laugh.
References
- ^ darkjedi.txt
- ^ Mark Richards at delta-source.blogspot