SEASON'S GREETINGS FROM 'SAGA OF A STAR WORLD'!

SAGA OF A STAR WORLD wishes readers worldwide a Happy Christmas, and a prosperous 2016!

BEHIND THE SCENES: GENESIS OF A CYLON

A Cylon Centurion's armour takes shape in this special conceptual maquette being created during early 1978 pre-production for Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: "HE'S NOT DEAD!"

Things get tense in the pilots bunking area as Starbuck refuses to admit that his Cadet Cree is dead, arguing with Giles over the stowing of his personal items, in a memorable scene from Gun on Ice Planet Zero Part One.

CLASSIC IMAGE: HEADING TOWARDS ADVENTURE...

The classic shot of the mighty Galactica in space that always launched the weekly series opening story title caption and its guest stars, as well as a calling card to action, characters and effects work that we'd all love for years to come.

CLASSIC IMAGE: APOLLO TAKES AIM!

No, its not the opening gun barrel sequence to a James Bond film, but Richard Hatch catching a similar ready-to-kill pose in this classic publicity image taken during the mid-point of the series run in 1979.

CLASSIC IMAGE: ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST!

A Colonial Viper confidently swings by the destruction of an enemy combatant in this great effects composite shot from Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: DESTROY THE HUMANS!

The Cylons sudden appearance brings chaos and carnage to the Carillon Casino, during this tense and exciting action sequence from the end of Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: SOMEWHERE BEYOND THE HEAVENS!

Another piece of collage related US merchandise displaying key events from the story, character and action from the pilot and Gun on Ice Planet Zero - a true STAR WARS for television, as it had often been described at that time by critics!

CLASSIC AWAY: DEPARTURE ANGLE!

One of the Galactica's Colonial Vipers shoots down its unique launch bay and into space, in this great image from Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: LOVE AND WAR!

That lucky fella Commander Cain catches up on some lost quality time with his former flame, and escort in a past life, Cassiopeia, during the opening section of The Living Legend Part One.

DELETED SCENE: THE POWER OF THE CUBIT!

Always one for the pleasures of life, and before Sire Uri makes his bid for power, Starbuck enjoys his winnings at the Carillon casino, in an intriguing image that didn't make it into the final cut of Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: SPACE FLYERS!

Time is running out for the space-walking Apollo and Starbuck as they plant explosive charges to put out the massive inferno raging within the Galactica, during the lively finale to disaster epic Fire in Space.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A STORM OF RAIDERS!

An armada of Cylon Raiders makes its way to the Colonial Fleet, during the cataclysmic sneak-attack opening to Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A FOR ATHENA!

As the camera makes the most of her gorgeous looks, Maren Jensen poses for a publicity image outside the main Universal Studios soundstage in 1978.

CLASSIC IMAGE: IN THE FIELD OF FIRE!

Doctor Ravashol's unique energy lens system continues to be perverted as a weapon for the Cylon cause, discharging its deadly bolts towards the Galactica and its fleet, during the events of Gun on Ice Planet Zero.

BEHIND THE SCENES: TIME FOR A BREATHER!

Only in the world of science fiction television film-making would this classic behind the scenes image seem normal, as Dirk Benedict and Evie the Chimp, sans Daggit outfit, take a break from filming Galactica on the UNIVERSAL soundstage.

CLASSIC IMAGE: "SURPRISE!"

Colonial Vipers spring out from behind the Gemini freighter and begin their counterattack on a Cylon Raider force, in this moment from Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: SEALED VOWS

Bringing warmth, light and some brief respite of hope from their travels through a long, dark void, Apollo and Serina wed, in this charming sequence from Lost Planet of the Gods Part Two.

UPDATE: 6/18: This scene was rescripted and reshot from the original footage, whose set had no candles and lacked romanticism, and of which the star leading to Kobol was already aware of by Adama and the Galactica's sensors.

The original filmed version of the scene.

CLASSIC IMAGE: IT'S ALL IN THE CARDS!

He finally thinks he's got the upper hand on some Gemonese card-playing rivals, but Starbuck's problems are only just getting started, during the life-changing destruction of the colonies, from the opening of Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: REALITY OR ILLUSION?

Apollo wakes up from his "kidnapping" to find himself aboard the mysterious Lightship, meeting the enigmatic spokesman "John" for the first time, during Experiment in Terra.

CLASSIC IMAGE: HE HAD IT COMING!

He's been the lethal executioner and town bully for a long time, but now the damaged Cylon known as "Red Eye" finally meets his match, and end, against Apollo, during the closing scenes of The Lost Warrior.

CLASSIC ART: A MATTER OF LIFE OR DEATH...

Commander Adama once more sends his brave warriors into action against the Cylon hordes in this great 2006 cover art from the legendary Dave Dorman (perhaps best known for his STAR WARS work), for one of the DYNAMITE Classic BATTLESTAR GALACTICA comics series.

GALACTICA 1980: A NEW MEMBER OF THE FAMILY!

Now fully part of the Galactica's long-term mission to help her planet become more technologically ready for the future, and possible Cylon attack, Earthwoman news reporter Jamie Hamilton (the lovely Robyn Douglass) gets to wear a Colonial uniform and is ready for her next time-travel related assignment with her new friends.

Unfortunately, despite the relative onscreen success of the time travel aspects of the pilot relaunch for GALACTICA 1980, ABC TV decided to drop that intriguing and often budget friendly aspect from the series as it went into its short-lived production- Jamie's character ending up being dumbed down as a result, to become a custodian to a bunch of mischievous and obnoxious "super scouts" for the duration! An insult to the past strong female characters that had been seen with the original 1978 series.

CLASSIC IMAGE: LET THE ATTACK BEGIN!

Under the Imperious Leader's command, thousands of Cylon Raiders launch from their Basestars towards the Colonial colonies, in this superb effects shot for Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: A WARRIOR AND A FATHER...

GALACTICA's finest ambassador, and an all-round humanitarian and nice guy in real-life, Richard Hatch poses for an iconic B/W publicity image as Captain Apollo, tough but fair leader of the viper squadrons protecting the Colonial Fleet, for Saga of a Star World.

Out now in collected trade paperback from DYNAMITE is Apollo's final epic adventure: the dramatic Death of Apollo.

Dynamite® Battlestar Galactica: The Death Of Apollo Trade Paperback

Get it here: Battlestar Galactica: The Death of Apollo: Amazon.co.uk: Dietrich Smith, Dan Abnett: 9781606906941: Books

CLASSIC IMAGE: DESPERATE TIMES...

Apollo and Starbuck find out the truth behind Robber and his family's "acquiring" of Starbuck's unique viper, in a scene shot on the always-handy UNIVERSAL Backlot, for The Long Patrol.

DELETED SCENE: NEW SURROUNDINGS!

Captured by the mysterious Ovions, young Boxey is brought to their underground lair, in this deleted scene, one of several linked to the alien creatures, from Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THEY'RE AWAY!

Three Vipers burst out of the Galactica landing bay and into battle, in this terrific angle originally conceived for Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: "HE'S COMING RIGHT FOR US!"

His victory against Adama seemingly coming true, Baltar is soon dumbstruck by the inexplicable appearance of another Colonial Battlestar to end his triumph, in a memorable scene from the part one ending of The Living Legend.

CLASSIC ART: SHAPELY SKY PILOTS!

Frank Frazetta's sexy interpretation of Galactica's female warriors (we assume Athena is the one holding the helmet) springing to action against the Cylons, from early publicity linked to Lost Planet of the Gods, would prove one of the most memorable and iconic art pieces linked to the classic series. The overhead Cylon Raiders and landed Vipers also prove an intriguing variation on what we're normally used to seeing.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE SPACE PRISON!

Originally one of the generic ships shown in the Galactica's Rag-Tag fleet, this vessel soon became the ominous Prison Barge holding the remaining scum and villainy of humanity for later episodes of the weekly series.

CLASSIC ART: SHOWCASING A SAGA!

One of the great early posters, by artist Howard Bender, included within MARVEL's BATTLESTAR GALACTICA Super Special adaptation of Saga of a Star World from 1978. Check out the rest of the superb gallery here: STARLOGGED - GEEK MEDIA AGAIN: 1978: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA SUPER SPECIAL PORTFOLIO (Marvel Comics)

CLASSIC IMAGE: FAMILY VALUES!

At the gaming table of the Rising Star, Starbuck finds his life suddenly turned upside down in his first encounter with that lovable rogue Chameleon, in a scene from the cast and crew favourite episode, The Man With Nine Lives, guest starring the legendary Fred Astaire.

CLASSIC IMAGE: CLOSE-IN COMBAT

A great image of Cylon squadron peels off, closing in to attack, part of footage often reused in various ways throughout the early stages of the weekly TV series.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE PILOT AND THE CLONE!

Outside the sunny environs of a UNIVERSAL STUDIOS soundstage in California, Dirk Benedict and special guest star Britt Ekland display their winter wares, during a publicity shoot for Gun on Ice Planet Zero.

CLASSIC IMAGE: IN THE WARRIOR ELITE!

One of Blue Squadron's best pilots, and a fine warrior, Lt. Boomer proves the ultimate friend and back up man in a crisis to Apollo and Starbuck, as witnessed during the closing events of Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE DEATH OF ATLANTIA!

In the midst of battle, the bridge crew of the Galactica can only look on in horror as the flagship of their fleet, the Atlantia, is mercilessly destroyed by the Cylons. A momentous scene from Saga of a Star World.

BEHIND THE SCENES: LET THERE BE LIGHT!

Its detailed modelling is over, now the Galactica gets fitted with its internal fibre-optic lighting, in this behind the scenes shot at ILM/Apogee for Saga of a Star World, from 1978.

CLASSIC IMAGE: AN UNEXPECTED MEETING!

On the Rising Star passenger liner, Cassiopeia and Athena find out just what that naughty but lovable Starbuck has been getting up to with his busy double life, during this memorable scene from The Long Patrol.

CLASSIC IMAGE: FRONTIER VILLAIN!

On the far-off small colony world of Equellus, the brave single mother Vella (Kathy Cannon) and her son Pupis (Johnny Timko) confront the dangerous amnesiac Cylon Centurion now known as Red Eye, in a tense scene from The Lost Warrior.

CLASSIC IMAGE: END OF A HOPE!

The devastating attack by the Cylons against humanity is completed with their slaughter of the Twelve Colonies, beginning with the strong-willed world of Caprica, as witnessed by crowds of people lulled into thinking that peace was on the cards. A scene of carnage and destruction from Saga of a Star World.

BEHIND THE SCENES: BIRTH OF A RAIDER!

The dreaded Cylon Raider craft begins its first steps to visual realisation, courtesy of top artist now filmmaker Joe Johnston, during early 1977/8 preproduction work for Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC IMAGE: THERE'S A NEW LAWMAN IN TOWN!

At the Serenity Outpost, Starbuck and Boomer take gleeful revenge/joy in introducing its township to their new "Sheriff": the pig-like mercenary Bogan, in a fun final scene from The Magnificent Warriors!

CLASSIC IMAGE: HEAVY DUTY READINESS!

Under the watching eyes of their ambitious leader, Spectre, the Cylon garrison on Attila continues to stockpile its weapons and explosives, in this scene from The Young Lords.

CLASSIC IMAGE: COMING HOME!

Apollo and Starbuck's Colonial Vipers make their way back to the Alpha Landing Bay of the Galactica, after another perilous space conflict against the Cylons, in this great visual effects image from the original series.

CLASSIC IMAGE: ADAMA's COURAGE!

On the Galactica bridge, Colonial leader Commander Adama senses trouble with the oncoming Cylon peace talks. His hunch soon proves right, what with the apocalyptic events launching the series with Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC ART: IN SPACE, NO ONE CAN HEAR YOU SCREAM!

Going into cool science fiction monster mode, "This Planet Hungers..." is the byline for this intriguing adventure for our Colonial heroes from the MARVEL BATTLESTAR GALACTICA comic issue 10, of December, 1979. Striking cover art by Pat Broderick and Terry Austin.