Pencils: John Nadeau Inks: Jordi Ensign Colors: R. Lee Brown
X-Wing: Rogue Squadron artist Jordi Ensign works past job anonymity
and a cross-series name to help launch Star Wars' best pilots
Interview by R. Lee Brown
The work shelves behind Jordi Ensign's drawing board are cluttered with little figures. There are several Felix the Cats, a horde of BattleBeasts, a few large Transformers and a couple bouncing Tiggers. However, prominently displayed among them are a swarm of MicroMachine™ Jawas herding a group of hapless droids, including a B'omarr Monk "spider-droid," which Jordi got to draw (in the character of Bib Fortuna) in X-Wing:Rogue Squadron: Battleground Tatooine. Indeed, several Star Wars books, ships and references litter her loft studio. Yet, while no Star Trek merchandise has a place among her knick-knacks, Jordi seems unable to live down the connection.
Granted, the character name in Star Trek: The Next Generation is GEORDI LaForge; it may be a homonym, but is spelled quite differently, and LaForge certainly is not an Ensign. That subtlety seems lost on many fans and reviewers alike.
"The name has been a blessing and a curse," she explained, tucking her trademark long bangs under her customary Tigger hat. "Not too long after I started the Dark Lords of the Sith (DLOTS) series, one of the previews magazines for ordering comics printed a commentary column. At the end of the column was the writer's 'Quick Tidbits'. Now, realize that I was very excited about working on the DLOTS project, and I was hungry for comments and insight, especially in the print media." She grins, offering a self-aware insight. "We artists are all one big balled-up ego that needs stroking, don't let anyone tell ya different. One of the 'Tidbits' went something like this: 'Is Jordi Ensign his real name, or is he just bucking for a Star Trek gig?' It was incredibly frustrating. Not only did the writer not address the project, but he had gotten my gender wrong, and had made the infamous Star Trek parallel. For months, I had a copy of that review tacked up on my wall as a reminder of what I had to fight against. I eventually took it down, on the advice of a friend, who told me that I didn't need to be constantly reminded of the bad, or incorrect, press. Good advice. It's not really what some schlub who's never met you thinks, it's how you feel about what you're doing, and if you know whether you're doing a good job or not."
No one that has met the six foot tall (six foot plus, if you ask this writer) Florida-born artist, would make the gender mistake; however, the relative anonymity of inking in comics, even for the Dark Horse Star Wars series, often exacerbates the problem.
"Put it this way: I'm a woman, with a fairly androgenous name, working in a male-dominated industry, on a subject that is considered the antithesis of Star Trek. You figure out how confusing that is. It seemed to me that the focus was on my name, not on my work.
"For the most part, I try to ignore the name. I've thought many times of changing it, to what I have no idea. But I believe that at this point it would counter-productive. Confusing or no, I do have a fairly solid reputation, and I'd hate to blow it for the sake of ease or vanity. "
ROGUE SQUADRON
Jordi is one of the few artists to have worked on both "generations" of Star Wars characters. Starting in the time 3,992 years before ANH with DLOTS, she's laid brush to board on most of the main characters. From the Qel-Droma brothers and Exar Kun, to Boba Fett in Twin Engines of Destruction (due in January as a compilation comic from the multi-part series in Topps' Star Wars Galaxy Magazine) to Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie and the droids in West End Games' Truce at Bakura Sourcebook, to Darth Vader and Wedge and crew in the X-Wing Rogue Squadron series.
"The Boba Fett story was edited by Peet Janes, who was working on the Rogue Squadron series. He liked the Fett piece enough to offer us (Jordi and Fett penciller John Nadeau) an arc for the Rogue books, Battleground: Tatooine. John and I were offered the next arc after that, Warrior Princess, and that's what I'm currently embroiled in now.
"I got the first issue of that series the other day and read it for the first time myself! Because of the time constraints, I didn't receive lettered pages, so I couldn't read the story as I worked. It's been odd trying to piece together bits of the story from the penciller and the editor. It's a very convoluted and complex story line as far as I can tell. Plourr is the lost princess of her warring homeworld. She is asked to return to settle the disputes between the royal family and a group of revolutionaries led by her brother, who she thought dead. From what I've already seen as the story progresses, I can say that there are a few surprises beyond the fact that rugged Plourr is a princess..."
It's no real surprise to find out that motorcyle-riding Jordi finds Plourr to be her favorite squad member.
"Perhaps the simplest reason is that I can sorta indentify with her. She's one of the only female members of a group that's historically been male, yet she's proved herself a reliable member of the team, gender notwithstanding. I can relate to that, working in the comic industry. Though I think Plourr is working in a much more progressive and unprejudiced surrounding than I am. Funny, considering that all this takes place 'a long time ago in galaxy far, far away...'"
On the opposing side, there are two villains from Battleground: Tatooine that caught her... well, not her fancy, but at least her interest.
"I really liked the bizarre relationship between Firith Olan and Bib Fortuna. They were both fairly despicable characters, but I felt bad for Bib while he was in the monk's contraption. Firith got what he deserved methinks, but Bib being a biped back in the world doesn't bode well for anyone!!"
Having also worked for DC Comics and Valiant among others, Jordi's kept a pretty good grasp of the ups and downs of the comics industry. At present, Rogue Squadron comics are among the best selling on the stands.
"From what I know, they're doing well. The whole comic market is in terrible shape, so doing well is a relative statement. The numbers on Rogue Squadron aren't near the numbers on DLOTS, but that's reflected across the board. Marvel and DC are suffering as well. I think fans are just looking for a good story, and are tired of being burned by the gimmicks. Unfortunately, so many have been burned bad enough to not take the chance any more."
