A long time ago on an easel not too far, far away, Steve Thomas began designing “Star Wars” posters.

The freelance illustrator’s latest is being released this week, in time for Thursday’s 40th anniversary of the first movie, now known as “Episode IV: A New Hope.” Officially a piece of “fan art” that has been licensed by movie producers Lucasfilm, the new poster will be available only in Europe and, in limited quantities, on Thomas’ website. But he hopes for a larger American release soon.

Happy 40th birthday, "Star Wars!" How about a little something in bronze? (Copyright Lucasfilm Ltd.)

New York City might have a bone to pick with Coruscant. (Copyright Lucasfilm Ltd.)

Obi-Wan Kenobi wasn't a fan but the poster makes the Tatooine bar look fun. (Copyright Lucasfilm Ltd.)

Apparently trying to clean up its reputation as a "hive of scum and villainy," the port town of Mos Eisley sponsors a Grand Prix-style event. (Copyright Lucasfilm Ltd.)

Perfect for travel in remote desert regions. (Copyright Lucasfilm Ltd.)



A Pioneer Press illustrator from 2003 to 2012, Thomas made his first “Star Wars” poster in 2007, just for fun. The Forest Lake resident’s style is influenced by the New Deal-era Works Progress Administration, as well as mid-century advertising and travel posters. And he’s a card-carrying “Star Wars” fan who still uses his childhood “May the force be with you” bedsheets as a painting dropcloth. Putting those two things together, Thomas had the idea to create travel posters for the imaginary planets and kingdoms of the “Star Wars” universe.

“I wanted to take that travel-poster style somewhere it hadn’t been yet: to Mars and Venus and the other planets. And, to keep that space theme going, I knew of a company called Acme Archives Direct that had the license to print and sell ‘Star Wars’ posters, so I made up a few and mailed them to them,” said Thomas, who did not get the delighted response he was hoping for. “It took well over two years. But then they said, ‘Let’s print some things.’ ”

Since then, Thomas, 43, has produced more than three dozen “Star Wars”-themed posters, advertising not just imaginary travel to places such as Coruscant but also fictitious products such as Rebel Cola.

“It’s been great. I’ve been able to take my interest in art and my interest in ‘Star Wars’ and put them together,” said Thomas, a native of Windsor, Ontario, who is a fixture at local art fairs and whose other work — including water bottle designs for CamelBak and posters for bands such as Pixies — is everywhere.

Fans of Thomas’ midcentury-influenced aesthetic may not immediately recognize the 40th anniversary poster, which is being released by Acme in conjunction with online entertainment retailer Zavvi. The poster resembles a photograph of a bronze, bas-relief sculpture that includes many iconic “Star Wars” characters and themes. It’s a style that could take Thomas in new directions.

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Siah Armajani, Minneapolis artist with roots in Iran, dies at 81 “If it does well, hopefully, I’ll be able to keep going and do them for the other movies,” says Thomas, whose main interest is in the original “Star Wars” trilogy but who might be willing to explore the newer movies at some point. “These newest movies coming out, they just keep feeding my desire to keep up with the travel posters and whatever else I can do.”

Even with 40 “Star Wars” posters already completed, Thomas said he doesn’t worry he’ll run out of movie-themed ideas.

Echoing the thoughts of any moviegoer who has tried to keep track of the constantly galaxy-shifting film series, Thomas said, “There are a lot of planets in the ‘Star Wars’ universe.”