Gold Squadron Blues
If you are out of touch, then jump back to this strip to get up to speed. Today’s strip was almost on the level of the briefing room scene establishing shot we did many months ago, in terms of time. “Rod”, you might well ask, “why do you worry about specific background characters in a scene. Won’t any pilot do?” Well, that’s where I’d like BMS to be different. Sometimes the stories of these obscure guys might be exactly where the humor in a scene comes from and its nice to be able to flesh out George Lucas’ version with our more indulgent parody.
For this strip, we had multiple styles of pilot uniform, and four different types of helmet. We also needed to personalize each helmet to match the specific character from the film or EU. That in itself is time consuming, but add the research time in digging up photo reference (where possible), of characters who only appear for a fleeting second, or were deleted from the film’s final cut. Some characters, like Keyan Farlander were added by the X-Wing star fighter simulation games of the 90s from LucasFilm. One or two others I really didn’t know much about at all until attempting to tackle this strip.
Grizz Frix is re-using an old Yavin Base Helmet which belonged to Gold Leader. I can only imagine that Grizz Frix had some kind of bond with Gold Leader and for that reason chose to mirror the golden net pattern across his own helmet. Or maybe they were adopted twins or something, like Johnny Storm and Sue Storm in the new Fantastic Four movie? I don’t know. The possibilities are endless, and some of them are creepy.
The most interesting character to me is Si-Mon Calamari. But we will get to him in a upcoming strip soon enough. For now, I have to turn some attention on Mrs. Cooper, the old lady pilot whose scenes were ultimately deleted from the film. Such a shame, as this feisty old bird would have added real flavor and personality to the rebel squadrons. Mrs. Cooper’s commitment to the Rebels really showed the breadth of the passion among the rebel movement against the Empire, but lets not pop all the potential gags balloons right now before we’ve given ourselves a chance to inflate them for later BMS.
GRAY SQUADRON – Y-Wings, most wear grey flight suits.
Colonel Salm
Lieutenant Telsij
Karie Neth
BLUE SQUADRON – B-Wings with the A-Wings
Merrick Simms
Ten Numb
Keyan Farlander
GREEN SQUADRON – A-Wings
Arvel Crynyd
Tycho Celchu
RED SQUADRON – Wedge’s X=Wing Squadron
Sila Kott
Si-Mon Calimari – no entry. BMS contribution to canon here we come!
Grizz Frix
GOLD SQUADRON – Lando Calrissian with the Millenium Falcon & some wingmen
All links above will take you to the wiki with information on these obscure characters. Who will die? Will BMS let them die, this time around? Will the contributions for the Earth Alliance and the Galactic Federation make a big difference?
By the way, it is not often that BMS is spoiled with a review / article written about us online. So we were really delighted to come across one this evening that both stopped us in our tracks. The words of encouragement and the genuine support for the path we’ve been on was a reinforcement of our commitment to telling this story, and continuing to tell it the way we wanted to. So, thanks D. Paul Angel for writing about us on your awesome blog and giving us more exposure!
Did you mean Wookieepedia? The same website that INSISTS on using a Blond gal with bangs as the prominent photo for Admiral Daala?
It’s no great secret that I’m not a fan of certain members of that site. We’ve had our own experiences with Wookieepedia that weren’t fun. I’ll happily point those links to another source, but I’m just not aware of one that is as exhaustive.
I’m glad you enjoyed it! You both do an amazing job with BMS and it is fun to write about. I honestly think it could have been twice as long 🙂 Keep up the good work! And for any who may want to read it, here’s a direct link: https://dpaulangel.wordpress.com/2015/06/04/blue-milk-special/
Its early yet on the West Coast, so forgot to add a tidbit this comic reminded me of. My favorite Rebel Fighter growing up was always the Y-Wings, but I hated their helmets! X-Wing helmets were so cooler! So when I daydream about flying them, I’d have to come up with a backstory to justify why I was using an X-Wing helmet in a Y-Wing 🙂
Well, in A New Hope the helmets were the same. So there’s a justification. Maybe your pilot just decided not to upgrade at the battle of Endor? 🙂
That’s perfect! I am so using that from now on. I mean, how great for the 12 year old me. I certainly don’t still relive the Trench Run during Staff meetings. Nope.
🙂
What no Pink Squadron? Oh that’s right by the time they get here She’s turned to the dark side. Really need to add stacy somewhere!
http://www.pinkfive.com/
Go Granny GO!
“I’ll say this only once.” 😀 What’s next, “It is I, LeClair!”?
I was channeling all the Allo Allo I watched as a kid.
Admiral Gruber in his ‘little stardestroyer’ perhaps, though I doubt it. There’s already enough going on without adding characters from Allo Allo. though Herr Flick (of the gestapo) would probably like the place.
I’m still squeeing over Power Rangers cameos. TELL ME THERE ARE MORE! TELL ME THIS IS NOT THE END!
If things work out with us having enough time, then there will be at LEAST one more cameo coming up.
“Lando and the Wingman” sounds like it needs to be a band name…
I’m still holding my breath hoping the Guardians of the Galaxy show up. Why? I am Groot, that’s why.