Splinter of the Mind’s Eye
Splinter of the Mind’s Eye crept up like a tiger and pounced! Yes, starting today we move one step closer to The Empire Strikes Back. Written as a proposed sequel for the original 1977 Star Wars film, George Lucas handed over a few ideas to prolific sci-fi film-to-book adapter Alan Dean Foster. At this point in the Star Wars mythos much that would be set in place over the next couple of years was still up in the air. Foster took what Lucas had, along with Lucas’ concepts like the Kaiburr Crystal (the red glowing thing in the cover image above) and took Star Wars in a slightly different direction. Splinter of the Mind’s Eye was intended to be the outline for the actual sequel to Star Wars IF the film did not perform well at the box office. The basic idea was that it must be capable of being produced on a significantly reduced budget. I’ll talk more about the changes and resulting discrepancies with the eventual Star Wars universe as we come to them over the next few weeks.
Why adapt Splinter of the Mind’s Eye into the BMS continuity? Because, as you can see by Ralph McQuarrie’s outstanding book cover, there is something very alluring about the concept and the visuals. Luke and Leia on a world that is clearly the precursor to Dagobah… a cross between Dagobah and Yavin IV with a bit of Mos Eisely thrown in. Luke and Leia as a team. And both Luke AND LEIA getting to fight Darth Vader for the first time. Yes, Leia wielding a lightsaber. Oh, I know what some of you are saying…
You’re saying “Rod, Leanne, why do you guys want to adapt this mess?”
Because we owe what was basically a good idea whatever small tribute and recognition we can give it. This isn’t the Holiday Special, people… this is much closer to Star Wars. Something had to have filled that long gap between the events of the Star Wars movie and The Empire Strikes Back.
For those unfamiliar with Splinter of the Mind’s Eye I should point out that it has some shockingly awkward and heavy-handed prose (you think MY blogs read bad, then try reading the first couple of chapters of this book), a dawdling lack of pace, nothing particularly thrilling that actually happens until the very end, and perhaps most noticeably, no bragging smuggler. Oh, and Luke and Leia quite possibly got it on.
However, Splinter of the Mind’s Eye was the first step into the Star Wars expanded universe for the franchise (with the possible exception of the Russ Manning newspaper strips). It retains a sense of imagination that feels more appropriate and fitting with the Original Star Wars trilogy, and, with a little work here and there, it feels like it can still fit into the scheme of things as a side adventure between Star Wars and The Empire Strikes Back. Most importantly though, there’s a lot of material in this story just begging to be BMSed. If you’ve never read either the book or the Dark Horse comics adaptation then we hope you will still appreciate another side adventure staring some of your favorite characters. We have some REALLY special strips coming down the pipeline and there may even be a few guest appearances. ;=
Don’t forget, we are looking for helpers at New York Comic Con on October 8 – 10, 2010 at the Jacob K. Javits Center. We will be there with a table in Artist Alley. If you’re interested in helping us out during the show, especially if you are planning to wear a Star Wars themed costume, please get in touch with us. 🙂
New to Blue Milk Special? Start reading from the beginning!
I always thought the helmet was useless anyway.
And less sexy.
Oh, helmets don’t mess up buns!
I remember one of the Infantino issues of Marvel Star Wars where Leia infiltrated some Imperial stronghold while wearing a tight-fitting wetsuit — it was flat against her head and her body — and when after entry she shucked the dark suit, not only did her buns pop back out to their normal size, but she was back in her flowing white robe as well.
I guess we wouldn’t have known it was Leia if she dressed differently and changed her hair… Of course, Luke spent a lot of time in the comics wandering about the galaxy in his white kimono, too, so fair’s fair.
Infantino’s style was disturbing to me as a kid – but it had its good points! As you’ve mentioned.
I’m still chugging along in the novel. It’s become a personal challenge to finish it at this point. I can’t wait to see what you’ve got in mind for this mess. I must read some other work by this author to figure out if I’m just not partial to his particular style, or if it’s simply this novel. Wish me luck!
I actually enjoyed his SW novelisation despite ll the inconsistensies of style. (Rod hates it)
When I was a kid i read his ALIEN novelisation many, many times.
Hold your horses, John! Time out! I don’t hate SOTME. I wouldn’t be doing a full blown parody of it if I did. It has its flaws just like anything, but the inconsistencies with what came after are where the fun begins. ANH, TESB and ROTJ all have plenty of material to parody as well and I don’t hate those. However, SOTME is without a doubt lacking compared to the trilogy. Reading the prose can at times be like wading through treacle (likewise with Foster’s ghost written novelization of Star Wars). the comic adaptation has its own bizarre moments too. Between both sources, there’s plenty to raise an eyebrow at. That does not mean I don’t like SOTME. Hell, I even found things to like about the Holiday Special! (;=
Noo noo noo noooo… Roderick. I meant you ‘dislike’ the ’77 novelisation of the original SW movie.
Only my mother calls me Roderick.
Alan Dean Foster is a prolific, if second-rate, SF author. A great deal of his output is derivative stuff like SOTME, usually without a lot of innovation or imagination – hack stuff. Don’t discount Foster as a writer until you have read some of his original work. He has his own highly developed original universe, the Humanx Commonwealth, in which the central theme is a powerful and stable alliance between the human race and the Thranx, a race of insectoids whose home worlds tend toward tropical rain forest conditions. This long-running series (still in production, I think) includes some of Alan Dean Foster’s best work IMO. Apparently I have lost an extensive collection of the paperbacks, last seen about fifteen years ago (They could be deeply buried in our basement….) Anyway, books mentioned by jhunterj below are two of maybe 28 that form Foster’s personal canon. He had time to write all that, and do the dreck too. He must write about as fast as I read!
I like it how Leia is always smoking, especially in this one, it reminds me of the A-Team guy when he has his cigar an all… and shoots up things…. lol, that’d be awesome lol 😀
Not a bad idea. 😉 I’ll remember that one.
I HAVEN’T EVEN ReAD THe POST OR YOUR TRIP YET –
WHoo-Hooo!!!!
Relax – relax John. Easy now… Sorry, STRIP – not TRIP.
Excellent! Funny strip and a fascinating post Rod.
So do you think Lucas Arts should take another look at this and make some corrections and inprovements? – or just leave it?
How would they have anything to do with Splinter? You mean, if they were to revisit the novel and adapt it into something else, like a game? If they do, they should come see me about it. All it needs is a bit of tightening and a an extra shot of adrenaline here and there. I suppose they wouldn’t feel even my sense of action and adventure was enough. They’d probably complain there just wouldn’t be enough lightsabers on the screen all at once. It’s the George Lucas rule… the Rule of Awesome trumps subtlety.
Decapitiations Rod. Not just loads of lightsabers. No point having them unless they’re slicing and dicing 😮
Yes they should talk to you. First to fix the novel – then… see what happens.
Lucas says on the ESB commentary on my DVD that he wrestled with Luke’s hand being cut off – because the film was also for kids. He claims he consulted psychologists, who reassured him that violence is fine as long as there’s a meaningful resolution and they can see that the character is ok after it. He says lots of Stormtroopers get killed because they’re nameless/faceless. So that’s ok then…
They are in the business of making adventure games again (at least remaking them anyway) so that isn’t that crazy of an idea.
Goody. Nice to know I can help SW Corp make more billions.
willow_kidd, Good luck! You might try “The Tar-Aiym Krang” or “For Love of Mother-Not”, from Foster’s Pip & Flinx books. TTAK was the first written, but FLoMN is a prequel.
Thanks. I’ll look into those next.
One of the unexpected perks of unemployment is suddenly having time to read again
LOL I love how Leia’s Y-wing is pink
..Barbie pink!
i’d mention something about how barbie didn’t smoke, but she’s stayed so thin for years..!
Well, either Barbie pink or Mary Kay pink. That’s just about the same shade as the pink Cadillacs Mary Kay consultants can earn as they advance through the company.
I’m just sayin’. X D
You know TOO much! 😉
I can’t even really look at that book with out getting cold chills but I am glad you are doing this. Its kind of like a PSA to people to wake up and smell the horrible writing 🙂
Aw, now that’s a bit mean. Suppose Alan Dean Foster were to find this comment thread through Google and read this! 🙁 You’re a mean person, Trent. J/K ;=
I just looked him up. He’s spent much of his life writing movie/TV tie-in stuff. A pity really.
You think Trent is being mean? heh… go back and look at my comments about SotME, when you were still debating whether or not to do this and soliciting feedback.
As far as I’m concerned, the way you can sink to lower depths than this, is if you wanted to bring in Waru, or Ken the Jedi Prince…
Or the Ewok TV movies! 😉
Ewoks?
I refer to my feeling about that horrid ‘Mad Men’ series: I will only watch them if the bastards are machine-gunned to death at the end of each episode.
Don’t care how “well it’s written”.
Ha well that has been said about me before.
You know, the opening line of this book is still etched on my memory: “How beautiful was the universe, Luke thought.” I’d have to look up the rest of it, but he ends up comparing the universe to “the robe of a queen”. When I was 11, I thought that was proper awesome writing.
Also: I love BMS Leia!
Thanks, Carrie. I’ve been enjoying writing for Leia. She’s one of my faves. Certainly my favorite of the heroes.
Better than anything I could write now I have to admit.
Any chance you guys are going to do Han Solo and the Lost Legacy? (At least I think that’s the name of the novel) It was forgettable and frankly, after reading SOTMI and that turkey, I gave up on reading Staw Wars fiction.
Slim chance, because I haven’t read that one. I’ve only read two of the Han Solo trilogy books. I enjoyed both of them more than Splinter, but they were both set BEFORE Star Wars, so they would have to be adapted/parodied in flashback by BMS and we’re focused on moving towards TESB right now. However, once we get through ROTJ everything is open. We may even consider Shadows of the Empire between TESB and ROTJ… something I’ve previously been less than enthusiastic about. I’m rambling now, so I’ll stop. 🙂
Test post
Your posts seem to be working fine, T. Was it an error message or were you just wondering why they didn’t appear right away? You do know I have to approve all posts before they show up, right? I had to drive home from work before I could approve anything.
This was about the 20th attempt, something with my end of the server I tnink.
Looking forward to this SOTME parody, I just have to say “No Luke don’t do it she’s your sister”!
And speaking of messing with Leia’s buns;
Wouldn’t her hair fit well into the two huge bumps on either side of a rebal flight helmet (Just remove some padding)?
I also love the pink Y wing, just perfect to boost a snobby princess’s ego.
So THAT’S the reason for the design! She obviously designed them!
T. you’re a genius. First she was an airheaded Fashion Designer – then her adopted parents, despairing of her prospects – forced her into politics.
I just want to know which buns of hers no one is allowed to mess with because, when taken out of context, leia’s last line in this strip has interresting connotations.
The thought crossed my mind. But I didn’t want the readers to think I was a colossal pervert.
I’m having posting difficulties, so sorry if any repeats.
Check out the Leia costumes at;
http://www.amazon.com/Star-Adults-Small-Princess-Costume/dp/B001I2VMYC
http://www.amazon.com/Adult-Sexy-Princess-Leia-Costume/dp/B0019RIPXW
No one will ever replace Carrie Fisher, but this model is sure welcome to try!
BTW is it spelled “R O D E R I C K’ (I want the WIKI to be accurate)?
Please do not use my full name. I hope you were joking. :=
Don’t worry the joke will be old before it gets to final copy.
Note to self…You can call him ray or you can call him jay but don’t call him Roderick! lol
Sorry Rodders 🙁
* holds a lightsaber to your throat *
“Rod”.
I always have to resist the urge to call you Blue! X D
I like that! From now on, I am Blue Hannah!
Indeed, I’m eager to see what becomes of this story in proper BMS fashion. I’ve read a little about the story on Wiki, and certainly, it’s weird seeing the saga go this way seeing as my brain is hardwired to go with the flow that is Empire Strikes Back.
We will try not to disappoint!
On the same note of parodying, I wonder if you’ll get to the bridge between Empire and Revenge, err, Return of the Jedi, Shadows of the Empire. That’d be sweet!
Yeah, I mentioned that further up this comment thread, funnily enough. I’ll consider it. I’m giving it more thought now than I did a month ago. Can’t say I’m a fan of Shadows though.
Either way, that’s way down the road. There’s this, then Empire, which will be many moons of work, needless to say.
HOLY COMMENT BLITZ BATMAN
Seriously, John… what do you do all day? 🙂
Yeah really he hasn’t done anything, that I am aware of, since age 9 :=
BTW since I mentioned it read “Star Wars age 9” by John White, if you like this comic.
Hey John;
You should consider taking some of your old character drawings, copying them, cutting them up, and (with some editing) I bet you could turn out some “Filmation” style strips in the spirit of BMS.
-Maybe even finish the movies.
BMS any chances of putting some do it yourself finger, or stick, puppets online? We could print them out and make armies. I bet my kids would go nuts for them (not to mention me).
Just some randon thoughts.
I know this would please YOU to be bits to have the original art, but we’ve thought about it a couple of times… like offering downloadable wallpapers etc, but I just don’t trust that someone won’t come along and try to use or even profit from our non-profit work. That would suck for us, because it was our work and someone else is profiting… plus it would piss off LucasFilm. However, for you, personally, I’ll see what I can do. 🙂 Which characters did you want?
Brill idea re: SWA9 animations. Thanks!
Cheers T.
Really Rod, you should take a look 😉
Like I don’t do enough to promote SW:A9 already! 😛
Working my ass off on a picture book. When i need a break i check in.
Ive had the same problem with a wall paper I made (not BMS related but its mainly Star Wars concept art) .I’m not saying that its great but I spent hours on it and I don’t want it to be passed around and end up getting someone money for something I did just for fun. Not that it would make someone a lot of money but its the principle that matters.
OOO a movie made with the same animation as charlie the unicorn!! POST IT ON YOUTUBE!
When I was a Star Wars crazy teenager and was reading every Star Wars book I could lay my hands on (mostly out of my Dad’s collection), I saw Splinter of the Mind’s Eye on his bookshelf and was intrigued by the cover. “Can I read that one?” I asked. “You don’t want to,” he assured me.
I took his advice – it sounds like it was for the better 🙂
i have that book first ed not in best of shape but eh wasnt me i got it from my mom
Oh wow, I read that book back in Jr. High!
Partway through I started figuring that it must have been written before the actual movie was made, so I started imagining all the technology and characters as more generic sci-fi instead of the established characters; it became MUCH easier to read after that!