Michael Heilemann

Giant Walking Machines

Syd Mead didn't work on The Empire Strikes Back, but he made a significant contribution nonetheless, when his designs for US Steel ended up informing the imperial walkers deployed on Hoth.

Michael Heilemann
Giant Walking Machines
Michael Heilemann

Howard Chaykin & The Swashbuckling Space Pirates

Drawn by Howard Chaykin who would work on the very first Star Wars poster as well as the Marvel comic book series, Cody Starbuck, cutlass in one hand and a six-shooter in the other, is often thought of as an x-rated precursor to Han Solo. 

Michael Heilemann
Howard Chaykin & The Swashbuckling Space Pirates
Michael Heilemann

Chris Foss & The Triangular Totalitarianism

Uniquely identifiable from his use of color and patterns, Chris Foss has been a tremendous influence in science fiction for decades. In the 70s he created a book cover which had on it a strangely familiar, yet quite alien design. A triangular star ship.

Michael Heilemann
Chris Foss & The Triangular Totalitarianism
Michael Heilemann

Ron Cobb & The Giant Lizards

Riders astride giant lizards might not have been an entirely novel concept by the mid 70s, but Ron Cobb's take on it had an air of the fantastic, while being grounded in reality. Cobb would go on to work on creatures for Star Wars , and this early design probably inspired the Dewback.

Michael Heilemann
Ron Cobb & The Giant Lizards
Michael Heilemann

John Berkey & The Mechanical Planet

He provided the empire with the ultimate weapon, though he couldn't have known it at the time. His style is uniquely elegant, yet mechanical, and though he would do some work for Star Wars , he never actually saw the films themselves.

Michael Heilemann
John Berkey & The Mechanical Planet