Echo Station: Comic for Kosovo Refugees

Echo Station: Exploring Star Wars Beyond The Daily News

Star Wars Comic Book Assists Refugees:
The Heroes of a Galaxy Far, Far Away Come to the
Aid of People Closer to Home

Contributed by Chad Clark
8/17/99

Note: All photos can be clicked to view full-size image. Star Wars actors and comic professionals are reaching out to help the refugees of Kosovo. Jeremy Bulloch. David Prowse. Kenny Baker. Garth Ennis. Dave Gibbons. Mike Fiamanya. Francis Lee has gathered together a phenomenal group of people from both the Star Wars films and the comic industry to publish a Kosovo refugee benefit comic entitled "Tales of Midnight" Special Edition. The comic and a poster will be launched at GALAXION ‘99, the huge Sci-Fi convention at Olympia in London on 3rd & 4th October 1999.	One of the best loved STAR WARS actors, Anthony Daniels (C-3PO) takes a brief rest from discussing GALAXION '99, at which his appearance will help to guarantee maximum media interest and huge exposure for the Kosovo Refugees comic.
"Tales of Midnight" will be an anthology-style comic allowing the creators to use any characters (human or alien) they like but with the central theme of what it feels like to be a refugee, torn from their home and thrust into an uncaring and unfriendly environment. Actor Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) is contributing a short story to the comic which will be drawn by Mike Fiamanya, the principle artist of the book. And watch out for the story by comic pros Garth Ennis (Preacher, Hellblazer) and Dave Gibbons (Vader's Quest, Watchmen) teaming up for the first time. These two are sure not to disappoint.
Both David Prowse (Darth Vader) and Kenny Baker (R2-D2) will be contributing previously unpublished photos of themselves for inclusion in the book. And artists Bryan Talbot, John Higgins, John Bolton, Paul Palmer and Chris Achilleos are contributing pin-ups to the "Tales of Midnight" comic. More names involved include: Peter Hogan... Rich Johnston... Sam Madeley... Duncan Fegredo... Nao... Sandro Borg... Bryan Talbot... John Higgins... Justin Savage... Terrance Griep Jr.… George Freeman... Steven Grant... Andrew Dabb... Brian Wood... and Roger Dean.	Blue Silver publisher Francis Lee welcomes the highly popular veteran STAR WARS actor Jeremy Bulloch (Boba Fett) on board the Kosovo refugee project, giving him his own "Tales Of Midnight" sweatshirt to wear to promote the comic.
If you can't make it to the GALAXION '99 convention, there are other ways to purchase this comic and help out. Books etc., a chain of bookstores in the UK, has agreed in principle not only to stock the comic but also to have informal signing sessions at some branches for creators involved. Nick Landau also pledged support from his chain of Forbidden Planet stores for the comic. And major comics distributor Diamond UK has agreed to take solicitations for the comic, which should arrive in stores the end of October. Talks are also in progress to make the book available to the Diamond's US division as well.
Star Wars fans are sure to enjoy the "Tales of Midnight" special edition, and comic book fans won't want to miss out on original stories by their favorite creators. But the best part is that with every comic book sold, money will go to help the Kosovo refugees. Check out this comic for that reason if no other.	Mike Fiamanya shares a moment with highly acclaimed fantasy artist Chris Achilleos with a tantalizing glimpse of his cover painting of the "Tales Of Midnight" comic in the background.

The first look at "Such A Perfect Day", a short story exclusively produced for the Kosovo Refugees Benefit Comic, written by GARTH (PREACHER) ENNIS and illustrated by DAVE (WATCHMEN) GIBBONS. (Click images to enlarge)

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(Chad Clark is an aspiring actor and fanatic devotee of Rogue Squadron. When he isn't practicing his heart-melting smile, he writes reviews of the comics he reads while basking in the California sunshine. His agent answers his fan mail at chad@echostation.com)

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