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Stewart McKenny

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This article is abouttheAustralian illustrator. You may be looking forthe illustratorMark McKenna.

For other uses, seeStewart.

Stewart McKenny

Biographical information

Listed pronouns

He/him^[1]

Nationality

Australian^[2]

Career

Occupation

Illustrator^[3]
Penciller^[4]

Companies

Dark Horse Comics^[2]

Official website

stewartmckenny.com

"…my very first professional comic book gig was drawing a Boba Fett story (in Star Wars Tales #18). The job was set up by one of the nicest people you'll ever meet in the industry, editor Diana Schutz, and when she asked me, "Would you like to draw Star Wars?" I (being an über Star Wars nerd) ALMOST CRIED!"

―Stewart McKenny, on getting asked to draw Star Wars^[5]

Stewart McKenny is anAustralian illustrator who has worked for several major comics publishers, includingDark Horse Comics andMarvel Comics. While Dark Horse Comics was licensed to publishStar Wars content, he was the penciler for thecomic "Being Boba Fett" before doing the illustrations for theStar Wars Adventures comics "Heroes on Both Sides," "The Drop," "Spy Girls," and "Graduation Day." He has been awarded honorary membership of theStar Wars costuming groupsRebel Legion andMandalorian Mercs for his contributions to the franchise.

Biography[]

At Dark Horse[]

"I've been a HUGE Star Wars fan since I was a little kid!"

―Stewart McKenny, after meeting Temuera Morrison^[6]

Stewart McKenny is anAustralian comic illustrator who has worked for major comic publishers such asDark Horse Comics andMarvel Comics.^[2] He^[1] had been a fan ofStar Wars for many years, having watchedStar Wars: Episode IVA New Hope andStar Wars: Episode VThe Empire Strikes Back onBetamax and seeingStar Wars: Episode VIReturn of the Jedi in a cinema. While collecting figures from the franchise over the years, McKenny had been working towards employment with a majorAmerican comic book publisher, a dream of his for years. His first job with such a publisher^[6] and first foray into theStar Wars universe began with Dark Horse Comics, working as the penciler on the shortcomic "Being Boba Fett," featured in theeighteenth issue of the2003Star Wars Tales comic series.^[4]

"Being Boba Fett" was also collected in the2005 Dark Horse ComicsStar Wars Tales comic book trade paperback collection'sfifth volume^[7] and Marvel Comics'Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Vol. 4 as part of theEpic Collection trade paperback series in2018.^[8] McKenny would reminisce about this in2017 ahead of the release ofStar Wars: The Mandalorian'ssecond season, noting that he almost cried with excitement when approached byDiana Schutz.^[5] He would meet the actor forBoba Fett,Temuera Morrison, at a convention in2022 after Morrison had signed several artworks of Boba Fett that had been drawn by McKenny. A photo of this moment was shared with the artist's fans, noting this comic was the first comic depiction of Boba Fett's adult face, based on Morrison.^[6]

The Adventures[]

"Okay… so a few years back I designed Jedi Treetower for 'Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures'! This weekend I got the SURPRISE OF MY LIFE when the incredible folk at Rebel Legion Hoth Base presented me with my VERY OWN Jedi costume based on Treetower!"

―Stewart McKenny, upon receiving his Jedi costume from Australia's branch of the Rebel Legion^[9]

Character designs of Treetower and McKenny wearing his Jedi costume based on the character

McKenny was next involved with theStar Wars: Clone Wars Adventures comics, a short story expansion ofGenndy Tartakovsky's animated television seriesStar Wars: Clone Wars, with the comics utilizing the same art style used for the series. McKenny illustrated four comics in the series, two of which were published in2006. The first of these, titled "Heroes on Both Sides," appeared in the series'fifth volume.^[3]

The second, titled "The Drop," was published in thefollowing volume and featured theUgnaught Jedi Treetower.^[10] Treetower was designed by McKenny during his work on the story, and in2013 he would receive his own Jedi costume based on the character from theRebel LegionStar Wars Costume Club's Hoth Base branch,^[9] located inVictoria, Australia.^[11] The next comic McKenny illustrated was "Spy Girls," published in theseventh volume^[12] onJanuary 31,2007.^[13] The final comic he illustrated in the series was titled "Graduation Day," published in thetenth volume^[14] onDecember 19, 2007.^[15]

Recognition[]

McKenny receives his honorary membership from the Mandalorian Mercs

McKenny has been a guest of Australian pop culture conventions for many years, attending events includingSupanova Expo^[2] andOz Comic Con.^[16] OnOctober 21,2011, at theMelbourne Armageddon convention, he was awarded honorary membership to the Rebel Legion.^[17] Two days later, at the same convention, he was also inducted as an honorary member of the "Mandalorian Mercs" club by the Sandhawk clan,^[18] the Australian branch of the club.^[19] These honorary memberships meant McKenny joined other people who have helped shape theStar Wars universe, including cast members, crew, artists, and authors.^[18]^[20]

Works[]

Bibliography[]

Year	Title	Contribution	Format
2003	"Being Boba Fett" — Star Wars Tales 18	Penciller	Short story comic in anthology^[4]
2006	"Heroes on Both Sides" —Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Volume 5	Illustrator	Short story comic in anthology^[3]
2006	"The Drop" —Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Volume 6	Illustrator	Short story comic in anthology^[10]
2007	"Spy Girls" —Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Volume 7	Illustrator	Short story comic in anthology^[12]
2007	"Graduation Day" —Star Wars: Clone Wars Adventures Volume 10	Illustrator	Short story comic in anthology^[14]