Star Wars, Droids #3 "C-3PX" Cover (1994)-Kilian Plunkett

I came to know the work of artist Kilian Plunkett through his Dark Horse, Star Wars covers in the 90’s, notably from this Droids #3 art. At a glance, I assumed it was a badass battle ready version of C-3PO, but it turned out to be a new droid character named C-3PX. Following its debut in Droids #3, C-3PX was later retconned as a sinister droid serving Darth Maul in a young reader’s book.

Kilian worked extensively with Dark Horse on Aliens and Star Wars titles in the 90’s and early 2000’s. He eventually moved on from comics to become one of the principal concept artists at Lucas Animation, where he worked on The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels and Resistance animation series. I acquired this piece from Wildstorm Fine Arts back in 1998. The painting is done in acrylics on thick 15" X 20" illustration board.