In November 1979, Ballantine Books released The Art of Star Wars—a landmark publication that offered fans a rare glimpse into the visual development of George Lucas’ galaxy far, far away. From Lucas’ earliest crude sketches to Ralph McQuarrie’s iconic paintings, and including cartoons and fan art, the book chronicled the beginning of the Star Wars universe. Since then, art books have accompanied the numerous Star Wars films and television series. Now, it extends into the world of video games with The Art of Star Wars: Outlaws.
Set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Outlaws follows Kay Vess, a cunning criminal from Canto Bight, as she attempts to clear the bounty on her head by executing a high-stakes heist. Her journey takes her to familiar planets like Tatooine and introduces new locales such as the moon Toshara.
The Art of Star Wars: Outlaws dives deep into the game’s development, covering both narrative and visual elements. The creative process begins with “blue sky” images—dramatic concept paintings that capture pivotal moments and set the tone. These early visuals help shape the story, which is then explored through rough and refined environmental sketches, character designs, creatures, weapons, tools, and ships.
The book showcases both interior and exterior environments, brought to life through concept art and detailed illustrations. To enhance realism and emotional depth, the team employed motion-capture technology, acting out key scenes. Black-and-white storyboards provide a visual roadmap for the narrative, guiding the creative direction. For marketing, key art and a CGI trailer were developed to build anticipation and immerse audiences in Kay’s world.
More than just a behind-the-scenes book, The Art of Star Wars: Outlaws is a cinematic experience in its own right. It beautifully documents the journey from concept to completion, offering fans a front-row seat to the game’s creation. A worthy successor to the original Art of Star Wars and its sequels, it is a must-have for anyone Interested not only in Star Wars, but by the craft of world-building and visual storytelling in general.
4 out of 4 Stars
Creative Team: Ian Tucker (editor), Outlaws Art Director Benedikt Podlesnigg (foreword by)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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