Star Wars
Star Wars Official Poster Monthly was a magazine published by Paradise Press in the US and Galaxy Publications in the UK beginning in October 1977. Eighteen monthly issues were produced, with issue 18 appearing in March 1979.
Though no editorial or writing staff were credited in the first issue, issues 2 through 15 credited Jon Trux as editor, with John May and Michael Marten listed as contributing editors. For the last three issues, May became editor, with Marten and John Chesterman as contributing editors.
George Snow was visual supervisor for all eighteen issues.
Its main feature was a large full-colour poster (advertised as "a giant, nearly 2 foot by 3 foot poster") of a character or scene from the original Star Wars film. However, it is perhaps more notable today, especially to fans of the Expanded Universe or those with an interest in the technical aspects of filmmaking, for the short illustrated articles included. These articles included character profiles, interviews with special effects crew and artists, vignettes about the Star Wars universe, and even discussions about real-world scientific topics relating to the film. The in-universe articles are particularly interesting for identifying the Imperial stormtroopers as clones, and discussing Darth Vader's reconstruction as a cyborg after losing a duel near a volcanic pit to Obi-Wan Kenobi, long before the release of the Prequel Trilogy.
Issue 1 (October 1977)
Credits
Features
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Birth of a Space Legend: an introduction to the magazine.
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Heroes & Villains:
Brief profiles of Luke Skywalker,
Ben Kenobi, Han solo, Grand Moff Tarkin, R2-D2, CP-30, Princess Leia, Darth Vader and Chewbacca
Posters -
R2-D2 and C-3PO
Issue 2 (November 1977)
Credits
Year - November 1977
Price - 40p
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
American Issue
Features:
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Darth Vader Lives - by John May:
An extended profile of Darth Vader. This article revealed—almost twenty-eight years before the release of Revenge of the Sith—that Vader became a cyborg after losing a duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi and being severely burned by lava.
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Tatooine: Desert Planet at the Galactic Frontier - by Dr. M. F. Marten:
A profile of the desert planet and its inhabitants. -
Choreography of a Dogfight - by Jon Trux:
A behind-the-scenes look at the special effects work filming the Battle of Yavin scenes
Posters -
Darth Vader
Issue 3 (December 1977)
Credits
Year - December 1977
Price - 40p
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
American Issue
Features
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Han Solo—Rogue Spacer! - by John May: an extended profile of the smuggler.
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Robotics: From Artoo to Quasars - by Dr. M. F. Marten: a discussion of the droids of Star Wars in comparison to the state-of-the-art robots of 1977
Poster
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R2-D2 and C-3PO in Death Star control room
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An interview with John Stears, the mechanical effects supervisor for the original Star Wars film, by Jon Trux.
Issue 4 (January 1978)
Credits
Year - January 1978
Price - 40p
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
American Issue
Features
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Luke Skywalker - From Youth to Man - by John May: an extended profile of the young Jedi.
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The Building of Artoo - by Jon Trux:
A behind-the-scenes look at how John Stears built the famous astromech droid for the original Star Wars film.
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Soldiers of the Empire! - by Anthony Fredrickson:
A description of the Imperial Stormtroopers, covering origins, training, promotions, and retirement. This article describes Stormtroopers as clones, though it was written well before the release of Attack of the Clones or Revenge of the Sith.
Posters -
Chewbacca
According to a number of sites there was only 4 issues of the Poster Magazine released in the UK. While looking into this I have not been able to see any other issues past issue 4 even though in Issue 4 is does talk about the next issue.
If any one has any more information on further releases of the Poster Magazines in the UK then please let me know. Especially if you have the covers or even better if you have the issues and are willing to scan and share them.
The Poster Magazine continued in the US for a further 14 issues and below are the information and covers of the remaining Issues.
If anyone has them and are willing to scan and share them then please get in touch. Thank you.
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 5 - February 1978
Credits
Year - February 1978
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
Anthony Fredrickson
Features
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The Threepio File - by Dr. M. F. Marten:
An extended profile of the protocol droid.
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Chewbacca - Star Wars' Friendliest Alien - by John May: An extended profile of the Wookiee.
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The Power Behind the Throne - by Jon Trux:
An article exploring the relationship between Grand Moff Tarkin and Darth Vader.
Poster -
Darth Vader
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 6 - March 1978
Year - March 1978
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
Anthony Fredrickson
Features
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The Lowdown on Artoo - by John May: an extended profile of the astromech droid.
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The Spaceships of Star Wars - by Jon Trux: a behind-the-scenes look at the various spacecraft in the original Star Wars film, including the Millennium Falcon, the Rebel Blockade Runner, the X-wing Fighter, the Y-Wing, the TIE Fighter, and the Star Destroyer
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An Alien Universe - by Dr. M. F. Marten: an article exploring the alien species seen on film, with speculation about their role in the greater galaxy.
Poster -
C-3PO
Do Not Have Can You Help?
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 7 - April 1978
Year - April 1978
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
Features
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The 'Droids of Star Wars - by Dr. Humberto Kazinski:
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A look at the variety of droids seen in the original Star Wars film, and speculation about their role in the galaxy.
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George Lucas - A Man and His Movies - by John May:
A profile of the man behind Star Wars.
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Beams, Blasters, and Battlestations! - by Jon Trux:
An article comparing the various energy weapons seen on film with the possibility of real space-based energy beams (either as weapons of war, as satellite-based power transmitters for cities, or as a means of spacecraft propulsion.)
Poster -
R2-D2
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 8 - May 1978
Year - May 1978
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
Features
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The Special Effects Wizards - by John May:
A look at John Dykstra and the special effects of the original film.
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The Ins and Outs of Space Travel -by Dr. M. F. Marten:
A discussion of real space travel, including the Space Shuttle (which would not be launched for another three years), and the possibilities of space colonization and interstellar travel.
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Ben Kenobi - Man or Legend?
by Brian Shepherd:
A profile of the old Jedi Master, and his skills with the Force.
Poster -
Stormtrooper
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 9 - June 1978
Year - June 1978
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
Brian Shepherd
This one was listed as a Special Issue but there was no difference
Features
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"Ralph McQuarrie: Visualizer", by John May: a look at Ralph McQuarrie and his paintings and designs for the original film.
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"Systems in Collision", by Brian Shepherd: a discussion of the differences between the evil Galactic Empire and the Rebel Alliance, and the origins of their conflict.
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"The Brain of the 'Droid," by Dr. M. F. Marten: an article on the state of the art in Artificial intelligence as of 1978, and speculation about the future.
Poster -
Darth Vader
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 10 - July 1978
Year - July 1978
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
Calvin Lockhart
Features
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"The Star Wars Snowball", by John May: a discussion of the Star Wars phenomenon worldwide.
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"What It Takes to be a Space Pilot", by Dr. M. F. Marten: a comparison and contrast of the qualifications needed to become a spacer in the Star Wars galaxy and the qualifications of real astronauts and cosmonauts.
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"The Return of Evil!", by Calvin Lockhart: a preview of the duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in the recently-published novel Splinter of the Mind's Eye.
Poster -
Unknown
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 11 - August 1978
Year - August 1978
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
Zak Jones
Features
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"The Star Wars Symphony", by Zak Jones: a profile of John Williams and the production of his score for the original Star Wars film.
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"Hyperspace!", by Dr. M. F. Marten: a discussion on the possible physics behind hyperspace and interstellar flight.
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"The Men Behind the Masks", by John May: profiles of actors Anthony Daniels, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew, and David Prowse, and the behind-the-scenes work which turned them into C-3PO, R2-D2, Chewbacca, and Darth Vader.
Poster -
R2-D2 on Tatooine
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 12 - September 1978
Year - September 1978
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
Larry Hurgan
Features
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"The Soundmaster", by John May: a profile of Ben Burtt and the sound effects he produced for the original Star Wars film.
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"John Dykstra—Making Movie Magic", by Larry Hurgan: a profile of John Dykstra and his use of the "Dykstraflex" camera to film spacecraft scenes.
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"The Cantina Aliens", by Dr. M. F. Marten: an article on Rick Baker and the production of the makeup and prothetics for the aliens in the famous "Cantina scene.
Poster -
X-wing and TIE/LN starfighter over Death Star
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 13 - October 1978
Year - October 1978
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
Features
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"The Shooting of Star Wars Part Two—On the Floor", by Jon Trux: a followup to "John Dykstra—Making Movie Magic" in the previous issue, discussing cameramen Richard Edlund and Dennis Muren's filming of the Battle of Yavin sequences.
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"P. S. Ellenshaw and the Magic of Matte", by Dr. M. F. Marten: an article on P. S. Ellenshaw's matte paintings for the original film.
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"The Model Squad", by John May: an article on the model makers of Industrial Light & Magic.
Poster -
Luke Skywalker and C-3PO on Tatooine
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 14 - November 1978
Year - November 1978
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
Features
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"The Machines That Make Lines Move", by John May: an article on Larry Cuba, and the use of the then-new art of computer animation for the original film.
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"Star Wars and the Effect Pioneers", by Jon Trux: an article on the revolution in movie and television special effects sparked by Star Wars.
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"War in Space—Fact and Fiction", by Dr. M. F. Marten: an article on the actual (as of 1978) and potential Militarisation of space in the real world
Poster -
X-wing and TIE/LN starfighter in Death Star trench (Ralph McQuarrie painting)
Issue 15 - December 1978
Year - December 1978
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - Jon Trux
Contributing Editors:
John May
Michael Marten
Features
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"'Empire' Latest!", by John May: a preview of The Empire Strikes Back. Interestingly, this article refers to The Empire Strikes Back as "the second of George Lucas's twelve-story cycle" rather than the fifth of a six-film series.
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"Bleep-Bleep!—The Search For Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence," by Dr. M. F. Marten: an article on the real search for extra-terrestrial life.
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"Orbiter 102—First Space Freighter", by Jon Trux: a profile of the soon to be launched Space Shuttle Columbia, then simply designated OV-102 by NASA.
Poster -
C-3PO and R2-D2 on Tatooine (Ralph McQuarrie concept painting)
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Do Not Have Can You Help
Issue 16 - January 1979
Year - January 1979
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - John May
Contributing Editors:
Michael Marten
John Chestertan
Features
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"Fan Club Facts", by John May: an article on the Official Star Wars Fan Club.
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"Activate Memory Circuits—It's the Star Wars Quiz", by Dr. M. F. Marten: a trivia quiz for fans.
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"Cantina Communications," by John Chesterman: a vignette where Obi-Wan Kenobi and Luke Skywalker observe the diversity of alien species in the galaxy, and their various methods of communication. This article marks the first and only appearance of several alien species, such as the sentient ocean of Solanus, the giant algae beds of the Cygnus B system, Klytonians, a particular species of olfaxes, and an unidentified species of emotionless multiple-eyed insectoids described as the best pilots in the galaxy. More mundanely, it also mentions dogs.
Poster -
R2-D2 and C-3PO on Tantive IV
Issue 17 - February 1979
Year - February 1979
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - John May
Contributing Editors:
Michael Marten
John Chestertan
Features
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"Escape Through Hyperspace," by John Chesterman: a vignette describing the Millennium Falcon's escape from Tatooine.
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"Near Encounter With an Alien Body", by Dr. M. F. Marten: an article on Voyager 1's recent encounter with Jupiter.
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"Introducing the Intergalactic Inker...Russ Manning," by John May: an interview with the artist producing numerous Star Wars black-and-white newspaper comic strips (many of which were collected much later in Classic Star Wars: The Early Adventures.)
Poster -
Unknown
Issue 18 - March 1979
Year - March 1979
Price - $1.50
Publisher - Paradise Press
Editor - John May
Contributing Editors:
Michael Marten
John Chestertan
Features
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"The Empire Gets Closer", by John May: another preview of The Empire Strikes Back, with information on filming in Finse, Norway and the casting of Billy Dee Williams as Lando Calrissian.
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"Joe Johnston—The Sketch Book Wizard", by Dr. M. F. Marten: a profile of the artist who produced conceptual and technical drawings for Imperial Star Destroyers, the Death Star, and other material found in the The Star Wars Sketchbook.
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"The Secret Planets," by John Chesterman: speculation on the sort of planets the Rebels might use to hide from the Empire.
Poster -
Unknown
John May
One of the most important writing contributors to the poster magazine series, and the subsequent EMPIRE limited run that followed in 1980, was the work of British journalist John May.
Check out this terrific blog article by the man himself, where he fondly recalls the incredible period he spent writing for the title, being involved with LUCASFILM, going to the Empire Strikes Back set at ELSTREE and meeting George Lucas.
The Generalist: Star Wars: Memories of A Galaxy Far, Far Away