I just received another batch of pencils for Dark Horse's Republic 78, the first in a two-part story titled "Into the Unknown." Just for information, after the comic proposal and script are approved, "pencils" are submitted. These are black and white drawings of the comic panels in their final layout. In the next step, the dialogue balloons (and dialogue) are added... then it goes to color.

First off, the cover for this issue, created by John Gallagher and Chris Chuckry, is awesome. Striking. Dark Horse doesn't have it up on their site yet, but... wow... the art is fabulous and this guy has a lot of pouches!

Back to the pencils -- Doug Wheatly, the artist for the REVENGE OF THE SITH adaptation, is drawing these two issues. I can't say enough good things about Doug's work. He was kind enough to send me an original page from RotS and I'll be framing it for my new office when we move to the Presido this fall. Doug's pencils are a work of art in themselves. Many of the single panels just blow me away. The detail, the shading, the characterizations. I'm awed. The pencils have such depth and emotion, I almost wish DH wouldn't color it.

Oh, and the script for these two issues isn't bad either. That Welles Hartley -- he's quite a storyteller. Look for this one in August -- yeah, I guess this has turned into a plug for the comic, but it's so awesome I don't want you to miss it.