Star Wars "Darth Maul" Wizard Magazine Cover (1999)-Joe Jusko

Darth Maul has definitely become one of the most recognizable villains in today’s popular culture. It’s fascinating how this iconic baddie was conceptualized during pre-production of Episode I. Legendary concept artist Iain McCaig’s initial design of Maul was a female and the character gradually evolved from there. McCaig’s final Maul design looked almost exact to the character we all know, but there was one major difference. Maul had black feathers (Pointed ends facing outward) tightly bound around his head. When the other concept artists were handed McCaig’s design, they just assumed the feathers were horns on Maul's head and the rest is history.

In this painting, you can feel Maul’s powerful rage and behold his animalistic ferocity in the expression, but also see that he’s very much in control with his ready stance and the way he's gracefully holding the double bladed lightsaber. Jusko did such an incredible work, capturing the essence of this angry, tormented character in the illustration. I’d run the other way if I were his opponent.