Star Wars fans who grew up consuming Expanded Universe comics, books, and video games grew to love the new assortment of characters and stories coming out of the LucasFilm camp. However, when Disney purchased the Star Wars IP from George Lucas in 2012, the new company put 99% of the Expanded Universe content straight out to pasture, rebranding it as "Legends" material.
It can be argued that Legends content would have been much better source material to draw upon, as opposed to the sequel trilogy produced independently by Disney. Many fans agree, and much of this love for the former Expanded Universe material comes in the form of high-impact fan art. These absolutely amazing art pieces were created by fans who know how rich the Legends material is.
10 Jaina Solo & Jagged Fel - Two Lovers From Different Worlds
Jagged Fel was raised by the Chiss under the direct command of Grand Admiral Thrawn, and Emperor Palpatine by extension. Upon the Empire's defeat, Fel found himself bouncing between loyalty to the Imperial Remnant, as well as the New Republic. He would eventually come to the aid of the latter more often than not.
Eventually, Fel would assume command of the Imperial Remnant, reshaping it into a more honorable version of its former self. He fell in love with, and would eventually marry Han and Leia's female daughter Jaina Solo, before becoming the first Emperor of the newly revived Empire. This amazing piece of art by Saith100 captures the two in a rare moment of quiet.
9 Tahiri Veila - Jedi Knight, Sith Apprentice, & Eventual Outcast
Tahiri Veila lived a very rough life, and it eventually caught up with her. She was originally raised on Tatooine by moisture farmers, but when they were killed, she was taken in by Tusken Raiders and made one of their own. Eventually, she made her way to the Jedi Praxeum on Yavin 4 and grew close to Han and Leia's youngest son Anakin.
Later, she would fall under the spell of Jacen Solo, who became the Sith Lord Darth Caedus, and served as his apprentice. She would eventually renounce the Sith after her death, becoming a mercenary with no allegiances. This ominous art piece, also by Saith100 captures her in darker, more troubling times.
8 Darth Talon - Dark Lady Of The Sith
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137 long years after the Battle of Yavin and the destruction of the first Death Star, the Sith Lord known as Darth Krayt arose to threaten the galaxy under his newly reformed order, the One Sith. Under his tutelage was Darth Talon, a female Twi'lek who became his personal assassin.
Fiercely loyal and dreadfully powerful, Darth Talon tried and failed to convert Luke Skywalker's direct descendent Cade into joining the Sith ranks. She was originally envisioned by George Lucas to be the principal villain in a new sequel trilogy before he sold the property to Disney. This 3D model by Aditya Parab captures her in stunning glory, right down the very last tattoo.
7 HK-47 - Smart-Mouthed Assassin Droid During The Old Republic
Fans of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic know who HK-47 is and for good reason. He's one of the most recognizable Star Wars droids, mostly for his wicked, callous deadpan humor and penchant for referring to organics as "meat-bags." In a firefight, however, he's quite the warrior.
This great cartoon-inspired work by Callista1981 nails the assassin droid with perfect detail, right down to the last servo. It's a quirky and fun take on the character, and the use of oranges and golds really makes the piece stand out and shine.
6 Yuuzhan Vong Warrior - Force-Resistant Warrior Species Who Decimated The New Republic
The Yuuzhan Vong appeared in the New Jedi Order series of Legends novels, and they literally turned the known galaxy upside down with their violent invasion. Trillions died in the conflict, entire planets (including Coruscant) were either wiped out or "shaped" into grotesque alien worlds, and several key characters including Chewbacca and Anakin Solo were killed.
The Yuuzhan Vong were given descriptions in the novels, but the sheer alien nature of their design meant it was hard to visualize. Artists like MaraVoev stepped up to the plate to give us works just like this one, that give some idea as to what these Force-resistant beings looked like.
5 Grand Admiral Thrawn - A Brilliant Chiss Tactician Working For The Empire
Grand Admiral Thrawn is now viewed as one of the mainstay characters of the Star Wars universe, but he started out fully in Expanded Universe (now called Legends) material in Timothy Zahn's groundbreaking novel Heir to the Empire. A Chiss officer serving under the command of Emperor Palpatine, Thrawn used his brilliant and strategic military mind to wage a campaign of terror on the New Republic following the destruction of the second Death Star.
This piece by Feivelyn captures Thrawn from below, giving him impressive and intimidating stature. The detail is excellent, right down to the prestige in his officer's uniform. The character is flanked from behind by a golden Imperial logo for a little extra symbolism. All in all, a dynamite shot.
4 Darth Revan - A Mighty Sith Lord During The Old Republic
Darth Revan became one of the most famous Sith Lords in Star Wars, following his first appearance in the classic video game Knights of the Old Republic. Originally meant as a gender-ambiguous character through whom the main player can relate, Revan was eventually canonized as a male Jedi-turned-Sith who turned the galaxy on its head.
This striking and powerful shot by Oddhouse Studio is one of the best Revan fan art pics, period. The detail in the suit, the armor pieces, and the twin lightsabers is extraordinary, and it really captures the menace and stature of one of Star Wars' most signature Sith Lords.
3 Darth Nihilus - A Terrifying Sith Lord & A Wound In The Force
Darth Nihilus was introduced in the follow-up video game Knights of the Old Republic II: The Sith Lords as one of the principal antagonists that the player must face off against. Nihilus is notorious for being one of the most frightening Sith Lords ever - a former human so consumed by the Dark Side that he essentially turned into a non-corporeal spirit held together by sheer will beneath his mask and robes.
Nihilus was a perpetual wound in the Force who tried to sate his hunger by devouring life energy from entire worlds. As such, he was the closest thing to a vampire in Star Wars lore, as well as having the awesome power of the Force on his side. This creepy and haunting shot of Nihilus was done by Aste17, and it's absolutely perfect.
2 Kyle Katarn - Rebel Mercenary & Eventual Jedi Knight
Kyle Katarn was introduced in the classic FPS game Star Wars: Dark Forces as a mercenary working for the Rebellion who steals the plans for the original Death Star. Over time, he grew to become a Jedi Knight and an important figure in the post-Empire days alongside Luke Skywalker and his Jedi Order.
Eventually, the character was retconned into oblivion during the great Disney purge, relegating his status firmly into the Legends category. Still, he's one of the most famous Jedi Knights around, and this awesome, incredible shot by Reau for Star Wars: Galactic Ambitions proves why.
1 Jaina Solo Slays Darth Caedus, AKA Jacen Solo, Her Brother
One of the key moments of the Legends materials involved Han and Leia's son Jacen Solo falling to the Dark Side and turning into Darth Caedus. He believed that by doing so, he could save a galaxy in turmoil from itself, and therefore billions of lives in the process. However, like all Sith Lords, he fell too far into his own delusions and needed to be stopped.
After committing a number of heinous acts, including the murder of Luke Skywalker's beloved wife Mara Jade, it was up to his twin sister Jaina to put him down, once and for all. This emotional art piece by Yume-Darling captures that final moment and all of its heartbreaking weight.