Comics The Screaming Citadel (One-Shot, Star Wars #31-32, Doctor Aphra #7-8) (5/5 Released)

Well this would be a huge coincidence if it isn't at least based on Cronal and the Sorcerers of Rhand.

Spoiler

In legends, SoR used Shadow Crowns to communicate and take control over others wearing a shadow crown.
Now notice not only the queen here is wearing a crown. The samurai guy has a small black crown on the top of the helmet, which is very similar to Nick Rostu's shadow crown when he was controlled by Cronal as Lord Shadowspawn. The other woman has that black helmet with crown like triangles coming down from the ear section.

In legends the SoR Blessed Toxmalb's shadow crown was said to be under his scalp and inside his head lived darkflies that he could attack people with. Here the points of this queens crown appears to come from under her skin and she apparently has parasites which she uses against Han.

In legends the SoR Cronal's shadow crown was was named the "Sunset Crown". Here the guy that looks just like Cronal has a big red circle crowning the back of his head and extending below his shoulders like the sun going below the horizon.

Lastly why is the bald guy the focus of this page and not the queen? Maybe because...Snoke?

 

The only truly gothic SW lit I recall is the Old Republic's Red Harvest. Looks like this cross-over may have...

Spoiler

...a similar infection type theme that turns characters into some servant of the Queen. Red Harvest had this sort of "28 Days Later" type infection that turned Sith into zombie-like howling creatures. From the synopsis, it looks like Han Solo may get infected and turn against Luke & Aphra. We shall see. The Luke/Queen variant cover also looks like Luke may get infected, but I could be wrong about that..

 

New variant covers for Star Wars #31 and Doctor Aphra #8.

Spoiler: Star Wars #31

Spoiler: Doctor Aphra #8

 

That second one is really steampunk and awesome.

 

$20 !?

 

I'm so ready for it, just a few more weeks.

 

Good Lord...that Doctor Aphra issue #8 variant is mine. Of course by Ashley Witter who absolutely nailed the issue #1 variant. Anyone know if this is a 25:1 or 50:1?

 

Interesting interview with Kieron Gillen on marvel.com today addressing why Luke would trust Doctor Aphra enough to join her on this quest. Very excited about this cross-over! T-7 days and counting...

https://news.marvel.com/comics/64467/star-wars-matter-trust/

 

Thanks for the link, I always enjoy reading a Gillen interview.

 

Don't forget that we'll most likely get a lettered preview for it tomorrow.

 

I will take two of the second one please! I love the steampunk vibe!

 

Found some amazing artwork of the citadel villains here plus their names. I don't understand Italian though.http://www.badcomics.it/2017/03/mar...arco-checchetto-per-screaming-citadel/145951/

Spoiler

 

Basically, he says the tried to mix classic Star Wars aesthetics with elements inspired by medieval armor and Francis Ford Copolla's Dracula.

 

You can certainly see Dracula in the Queen and her powers.

 

Looks very Atha Prime...


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I put it into a translator.

Spoiler

The directions for the next Star Wars crossover, conceived by scriptwriters Jason Aaron and Kieron Gillen, were very clear: a Gothic horror story set in the far distant galaxy and named Screaming Citadel. A company that requires a great deal of narrative and screenplay expertise, but perhaps an even more challenging and important challenge from a visual point of view.

To accomplish the "impossible mission" to blend atmospheres, visual and archetypal elements of classic horror - by their very "terrestrial" nature - with the inimitable exotic and vaguely alien look that has always characterized the worlds of Star Wars has been called Marco Checchetto, boasting of his work, the scenery of The Empire at Pieces and Obi-Wan & Anakin is now an Italian-style all-star in Marvel's stellar scenarios. The preview sketches presented on the official website of the House of Ideas confirm that we are waiting for a morbid and fascinating journey on the "even darker" side of the universe starwarsiano: you can admire them below, accompanied by some comments from the author himself. I'm thrilled to be able to draw a story again in the years of classic trilogy and to create new characters and a new horror-style planet. Another world of my creation is added to the saga, it's great. I was given great confidence by Marvel and Lucasfilm, an act I hope I can repay. Screaming Citadel, sketch 01 by Marco ChecchettoIn Italy was almost midnight when my editors Jordan White and Heather Antos asked me to work at The Screaming Citadel. I could not sleep, wait until morning, and I started to work on the pages straight away. I have had the opportunity to collaborate with two authors who respect so much, Kieron Gillen and Jason Aaron. My one-shot story and scripts are great. I hope I can still work with Kieron and Jason in the future, maybe on some superhero stories. They had very precise ideas about the environment. The difficulty in asking me was waving the classic horror themes and making it an integral part of the Star Wars universe. It was not easy. I've seen many artbooks of many movies and video games to find something that could inspire me. Two of the best books I have are certainly the artbooks of the last two films of Star Wars, The Awakening of Force and Rogue One. They helped me try something new, while at the same time very close to our galaxy. In the case of Queen and some other characters, I was inspired by Bram Stoker's Dracula, Francis Ford Coppola's film. The costumes and color choices in that movie are extraordinary. The woman I created is gorgeous but also very scary, a left and elegant alien queen. Screaming Citadel, sketch 02 by Marco Checchetto For the Citizen Guards was more complicated. I wanted to create a kind of new Star Wars supporter, something that was traditional and new at the same time. For the head I used as a base a classic Mandalorian helmet, which helps to immerse yourself in the typical style of the saga. In the creation of costumes I used instead a classic medieval armor, but with the addition of lights and some fantasy elements. With regard to weapons, I opted for a classic blaster and something that would allow me to stage an interesting battle with Luke and his laser sword. Finally, to make the whole thing more credible, I added a new flag to this new faction. I decided to make all these characters without pupils and with a cadaveric skin. The choice of artistic style is important to make them threatening. I like to draw dark characters, I'm definitely a dark side follower! For the Citadel I was inspired by the old black and white horror movies, with those unlikely castles perched on the most inaccessible mountains. However, I wanted to avoid the classic medieval look. I wanted something that would evoke with strength the typical and unique atmospheres of Star Wars.

 

Bombinax is really Taserface underneath his helmet,lol.

I guess that sorta living shadow effect comes from the 1992 Dracula film. The living smoke-like substance seems very close to Nightsisters..




I think the main inspiration and design aesthetic came from the canceled Red Fly 2011 Darth Maul game, from the concept art that popularized in recent years.













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So are these going to be actual Force users, you think, or just a bunch of Sith wannabees?

Are they going to beneath Palpatine's notice, allies to him (The Prophets of the Dark Side), or a sign there's a LOT of such organizations in canon?

 

I'm sorry but if I was Luke i would be like "thanks but no thanks Lady, I'll figure it out on my own, and btw you are crazy." I wouldn't trust aphra as far as i can throw her.

 

The Queen's dracula style teleportation ability certainly seems to indicate significant force powers, and of a kind not known by Palpatine.

 

Classic Era Luke led astray by a beautiful woman?

Surely you jest.

 

Lettered preview pages.
https://jedi-bibliothek.de/2017/05/marvel-vorschau-the-screaming-citadel-1/

Spoiler

 

...and you....WHAT?! What is Aphra going to say?! I can't stand it...the agony of waiting 6 days for this issue!

I like the landspeeder and droids out front of the cantina...reminiscent of Mos Eisley. Luke is drawn very well...young and naïve. And Doctor Aphra knows how to make an entrance...love the angle of that frame...like the camera on the floor shooting up.

 

I would say some may be Force sensitive, others just may be warriors in the service or some kinda alien and/or Dark Force cult.

*I wanted to add these before but the 20 image post limit prevented it. Other designs are very similar to what we've seen around before from Dark Side warriors or affiliates imo:

 

The one-shot came out today. Very enjoyable! Some brief comments:

Spoiler

• Andres Mossa's coloring is beautiful, as was his work in Obi-Wan & Anakin.
• Entertaining dialogue between everyone.
• I like the design of the Ezaraa individual.
• The queen's "feeding" is very intriguing! Hope we learn more.
• This panel of Aphra is adorable! Such a mischievous smile: