When Michael Duron posted on Scoundrel Art in August that he was selling his Clone Wars Return Card sketches for $75 each AND throwing in a bonus sketch, I jumped at the chance to pick up the best of his best. For those who don't know, "Return Cards" are sketches that the artist designate to the company (in this case Topps) to be sent back to him/her to sell on the open market, and these cards are usually the best ones done. I had been lucky enough to get two of Mike's Clone Wars Returns- a three character sketch of Dooku, Ventress, and Darth Sidious (Emperor Palpatine), and a two character sketch of R2-D2 and C-3PO. As bonus sketches I had asked for a Princess Leia and a Padme Amidala. I couldn't wait to get them. The initial picture Mike had posted when selling his Returns was an early one, and the sketches weren't even colored in and finished, but I knew they'd be cool. Then Mike broke the news about his personal problems, so I sympathized with his situation and realized I might have to wait awhile to get my Returns. No problem, as my girlfriend Mandy can attest, I'm a patient man. Suddenly Mike fell off the face of the earth... no posts on his blog, no word from him on Scoundrel, PM and emails went unanswered. Alot of us were hoping everything was okay and were worried. It's not like I exactly know him personally, but we've exchanged emails and had conversations in Scoundrel Arts PM's, so it feels like I do. As September, October, and November went by I was trying not to worry, and then finally I got an email from him in mid November asking what he owed me. I sent him back the info and waited. The rest of November went by, then December, and January.. finally on January 30th I got a package in the mail from Mike.. my Returns were here! My expectations were high, but when I pulled those sketch cards from the package, they exceeded them all. Awesome detail, brilliant coloring, and capturing the essence of each character. Plus the bonus cards were awesome! The Princess Leia Mike had chosen to draw was a scene sketch of her in her slave outfit with the chain in her hand that she used to kill Jabba the Hutt.. and Jabba was behind her dead (I loved the x'd out eyes and the tongue hanging out). Padme Amidala's sketch was her holding a blaster and is a cool likeness- just a great sketch. And, as a bonus for making me wait so long, Mike threw in another bonus sketch- a hilarious Darth Maul sketch. They were worth the wait. Thanks Mike, and thanks all for reading...
