I've been a big fan of widevision sketch cards since 2009 when Topps released their Star Wars Clone Wars Widevision set. One sketch per box. Boy, do I miss those days! Clone Wars Widevision- bigger cards meant more space for artists to work. A lot of collectors have a love/hate relationship with Widevision cards. They're different. They don't store as easily as standard cards. Anyways, I love them. 

   So in the past 11 years I believe we have had four Widevision card sets that had sketch cards- 2009 Clone Wars Widevision, 2010 Empire Strikes Back  Widevision 3D, 2014 Return of the Jedi Widevision 3D, and 2015 Revenge of the Sith Widevision 3D. Mike had sketch cards in all four sets, so I pick them up whenever I can, although they don't come onto the market very often and I only buy if the price is right (cue up the music Johnny Olson... okay, bad joke). 

   That brings us to this week's sketch- a full color General Grievous close-up out of Revenge of the Sith Widevision 3D

General Grievous was an odd character in the fact that, according to the Wookiepedia, he was completely cybernetic except for his brain, some vital organs, and parts of his head. He was a Kaleesh Warlord, feared Jedi hunter, and a brilliant military strategist. He loved to kill Jedi and take their lightsabers are trophies. Grievous was pretty badass, but was killed in a lightsaber duel on Utapau by an even bigger badass- Obi-Wan Kenobi.

   If I had a rare criticism of this sketch by Mike I would say I wish it was from a slightly more distant point of view where you could at least see Grievous' whole head. I love what's in the sketch, but I would love to see more is all I'm saying. This sketch cuts off the top of his skull and the top of his ear. I think Mike was going for the "IN YOUR FACE!" look on this sketch, and he nailed it! Also, I like any sketch in which Mike draws a lightsaber. Too bad the lightsaber is also cut off. 

   Anyways, thanks all for stopping by and reading! Take care and have a blessed Thanksgiving.

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    When Topps released their "Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens" set back in the Fall of 2015, little did I know that it would be one of the last Star Wars sets that Mike would work on. Photorealistic sketches became the preferred (and mandated) style, and artists who didn't fit that mold were just not asked back. Sad day for the hobby in my opinion. 

   So today's sketch comes from that 2015 Star Wars: Journey to the Force Awakens set. And it's of one of my favorite characters- Luke Skywalker, one of him early on in the original trilogy when he had his blue lightsaber. I always thought it was cool how Mike drew lightsabers with the little flecks around the outside edges showing the energy glow of the weapon. Not all of Mike's pack inserted sketches are in color, so I was happy to be able pick up this one.

   I don't know all the terms for the different styles that artists use, but this sketch seems to be in more of a comic book style. A good friend of mine has been urging me to make a post about how Mike's style has evolved over the years. Maybe with his help we can co-write that post one day soon. Anyways, back to this sketch- I like how Mike did a more angular face on Luke. It makes him look determined. And as a comparison I included two Galaxy 6 sketches of Luke from my old blog. The first even has Luke in that same side profile, just from a more distant perspective. Mike's sketches always make me smile. That's the thing that has always attracted me to his work. I can't look at that bottom sketch, the "farmboy Luke" sketch, without getting a big grin on my face. 

   That's it for this week. Thanks to all for stopping by and reading!

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    "And my axe". With those words (and a glare at Legolas) Gimli, son of Gloin, volunteered for the Fellowship. 

   Gimli has always been one of, if not my favorite character in Lord of the Rings. I grew up playing Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, and Dwarf fighters were always a favorite of both my twin brother and I. Plus I had been a fan of John Rhys-Davies from his Indiana Jones days playing Indy's buddy Sallah. I was pleasantly surprised the first time I saw "Fellowship of the Ring" to find out he was playing the role of Gimli. I have always said the Lord of the Rings movies were perfectly cast. I'm biased yes, but in my opinion there's not one actor that's not perfect for the role they played.

   I have had a variety of Gimli sketches by Mike over the years. Ones from Masterpieces II, PSCs, and the wonderful artwork that he did for me when I got John Rhys-Davies autograph at a Comic Con. 

   Anyways, that's it for today. Sorry so short and sorry that I'm a day late with this post- I had a lot going on yesterday. Thanks to all for stopping by and reading!

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    Another recent pick-up from Mike's Indiana Jones Heritage contributions- I was very happy to get this "Last Crusade" sketch of Indy, Elsa, and Vogel from a great scene in the movie. Vogel has a gun on Elsa, and she talks Indy into dropping the gun he's holding against his father's urgings. "But she's one of them... she's a Nazi... trust me" says Indy's father, played by the late great Sean Connery. Indy believes the pleadings of a desperate Elsa over his father, and as it turns out, father knows best. 

   At first I didn't even realize this was a three character sketch. When you look at the card you (of course) see Elsa and Vogel. I didn't even really notice Indy on the right side of the card. I mean, it is just his nose, one eye, some moustache stubble, and the brim of his hat, but he's there.

   I remember in 2008 how excited Mike was for these sets because of his love for the Indiana Jones genre. I say it pretty much every time I feature an Indiana Jones sketch here, but you can see Mike's passion for the genre in every card he did. I love everything about this card. Starting with Vogel- his eyes pop out, the grim look on his face, and Mike did a great job with his hat and gun. I like how Mike drew Elsa's mouth and hair, and her closed eyes are a stark contrast to Vogel's. The Diary is another great prop. And how Mike worked Indy into the card, even if it's just a hint of him. Overall, just a great card. I love when a card can instantly transport you to a moment in a movie.

   Well, that's all for today. Thanks for stopping by and reading!

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