Dear Mr. Lucas,I can’t say that this represents everyone here at the site. These are just my opinions; my thoughts. In light of yesterday’s big news concerning Lucasfilm, I just wanted to take a few minutes out my day to offer an enormous and sincere “thank you” for everything you’ve given me. I can honestly say that were it not for you, my life would be in a remarkably different place right now.

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Yes, I’m a huge Star Wars fan. Like, enormous. And while I’m certainly thanking you for the endless hours of joy that have come as a result of the Star Wars Universe – movies, TV, video games, comics, books, the works – this thank you isn’t quite that simplistic. It’s because of Star Wars that I chose to tell stories when I “grew up,” but more importantly, you instilled in me the ideals of never compromising my vision, earning independence as an artist, and always striving to be innovative in anything that I do.Your efforts in building Lucasfilm and constantly pushing to expand the possibilities of filmmaking is likely overshadowed by lightsabers and the Force at times, but just know that for shy, creative kids that love comic books and movies and want to make that their life and livelihood, everything you’ve strived for and then surpassed throughout your career is truly inspiring.I’ve often read of your desire to achieve financial independence to retire and focus on other things, including experimental films, and I just want to say that I’m enormously happy that everything you’ve worked for – everything that Star Wars has afforded you – has finally arrived.I work on the Internet, which I’m sure you know hasn’t always been home to the nicest of “fans.” They often forget that the only reason they’re so passionate about Star Wars in the first place is because of what you accomplished. But I want you to know that your unwavering vision for Star Wars and your resistance to let the fans take ownership of it has reminded me that art, no matter how commercially viable or successful, always, always, always goes back to the creator’s vision. It is a practice that I’ve taken great pride in trying to bring to any work I do, whether it be fiction or otherwise.In 1996, I was in sixth grade, and I learned that the prequels were being made. I spent a week of math class (the worst) sketching out ideas for the new Star Wars movies – vehicles, weapons, even characters – and sent Lucasfilm a hand-written letter explaining my motivations and how many times I’d seen Star Wars. Naturally, I was thrilled when, weeks later, I got a letter back with a beautifully embossed Lucasfilm letterhead.Subsequently, I was heartbroken when I saw that all of my work was returned to me, with the letter stating the usual legal mumbo jumbo about not being able to accept unsolicited material. My disappointment was made worse years later when I saw the first trailer for Episode I that featured something I included in those math class sketches – a double-bladed lightsaber (I called it a lightstaff). Of course, I later learned that the double-bladed saber had appeared in an Expanded Universe book somewhere, bringing my creative ego back down to manageable levels.But the thing about that letter that really stood out to me was a bit that seemed to stray from the usual form letter rejection; a part that mentioned Lucasfilm’s support of young artists. I’m sure there are hundreds, if not thousands, of other kids that got that same letter, but when you’re 11, that doesn’t matter much. To me, that was an endorsement to keep doing what I was doing.And I did.Because of that inspiration, I took my life on a creative path. I went to film school, I have comic books with my name printed on them that sit on store shelves, and I write for one of the best websites in the world, where I get to talk about Star Wars on a daily basis with people that love it as much as I do.So thank you, Mr. Lucas, for everything you’ve given to me. I hope retirement is everything you’re looking for.Sincerely,Joey Esposito

Joey is IGN's Comics Editor and a comic book creator. Follow Joey on Twitter @JoeyEsposito , or find him on IGN at Joey-IGN . He will love Star Wars until the end of his days.