BEHIND THE SCENES: THE DERELICT TANKER...

An ominous looking derelict Cylon Tanker looms in space above the old moon Cimtar, as seen in this intriguing conceptual art design by Joe Johnston for Saga of a Star World, and whose frontage bears more of a Cylon Raider feel about it.

 

CLASSIC ART: A LOOK AT MANKIND'S PAST FUTURE...

Another iconic piece of conceptual art by the legendary Ralph McQuarrie representing the lush, futuristic realms of an alien world in the Colonies, we assume the ultimately doomed Caprica, from 1977/78. It was used for promotional purposes by ABC TV, sadly in B/W form, during their early push for what was originally Star Worlds, then the singular Galactica.

CLASSIC ART: WHEN 'MEDIASCENE' PREVIEWED 'GALACTICA'!

Soon an influential title in the realms of mainstream and cult movies and TV, comic book artist and graphic design talent Jim Steranko's Mediascene Prevue magazine was a must-have title, and one that not only had great journalistic content but always looked particularly exciting in the way it showcased science fiction, soon given a new lease by the commercial success of the original Star Wars. Battlestar Galactica was soon equally well represented by 1978 (issue 29 Jan/Feb), as seen with this fine advance publicity salvo with its exclusive use of the Ralph McQuarrie classic conceptual art of a Viper pursued by Cylon Raiders - presumably the first time that this image had been used in the production's highly successful marketing campaign? 

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE PULSAR WEAPON!

An invention of peace for humanity and other life forms in communication turned into a devastating weapon by inhuman Cylons, the Ravashol Pulsar would be an important part of one of Battlestar Galactica's most famous and beloved adventures.

Concept design by artist unknown.

Another unknown artist's design showcasing the intricacies of the weapon, and how it fires its pulses.

The weapon under construction at the ILM facility at Van Nuys during mid 1978.

Apogee technician David Robman alongside the completed model.

BEHIND THE SCENES: MUFFEY'S PROGRESS!

Not quite the screen realisation of Muffey the lovable and loyal robot daggit we'd see on screen from 1978, but this concept art for Saga of a Star World (artist unknown) certainly shows us a visual incarnation potentially designed to resemble an Alsation species, a type of dog equally as loving and very protective.

CLASSIC ART: DESTROYING THE COLONIES!

The merciless Cylon sneak attack on the Twelve Colonies of Man, and in particular the planet Caprica, continues in another special piece of conceptual art by Ralph McQuarrie for Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC ART: LANDED ON A STRANGE WORLD...

Another one of the much-missed Ralph McQuarrie's concept/production paintings for the Saga of a Star World pilot from 1977/78, an evocative piece showing one of our heroes' Colonial Vipers parked on a strange world's terrain, which I presume is an early iteration of the tylium fused world of Carillon? 

CLASSIC ART: KOBOL ATTACK!

Ready to destroy all traces of Human civilisation old and new, the Cylon Raiders continue their brutal surprise air attack on the Tombs of Kobol, in this great conceptual art for Lost Planet of the Gods Part Two.

CLASSIC ART: COMING IN TO LAND.. (MCQUARRIE)

 

Another terrific concept piece by Ralph McQuarrie for Star Worlds, then Galactica, showing one of the mighty vessel's landing bays with some exterior attachments (ultimately removed to make the important area a more streamlined visual by the time of approved model construction).

'GALACTICA' AT 40: IN THE REALM OF THE OVIONS!

Another of the great conceptual paintings for the pilot episode from the late, great icon Ralph McQuarrie- this time showing us the major scale of the insectoid Ovions underground colony and its mining system.

CLASSIC ART: A LAST SUPPER FOR THE TWELVE COLONIES...

The six Colonial Battlestars and their leaders gather for a momentous occasion: finally, after a thousand yahrens of war their is now peace with the enemy Cylons, of which an armistice awaits. Unfortunately, this special dinner will be the lead-in to the Human race's greatest peril, in this lovely conceptual art for Saga of a Star World by Ralph McQuarrie.

CLASSIC ART: 'THE BATTLE FOR GALACTICA'!

Humans beware! The Cylons have arrived on Earth and want prisoners! That was the fun scenario of the short-lived but much-loved THE BATTLE OF GALACTICA ride at UNIVERSAL STUDIOS, Los Angeles. Here's a great piece of production art for the backlot exterior, as the tram load of visitors are apprehended and taken into a landed Cylon vessel!

CLASSIC ART: A SPEEDY ESCAPE!

Another classic conceptual rendering by the late, great Ralph McQuarrie, presumably showing an early version of the Galactica speedily escaping the immense Tylium-fuelled destruction of Carillon, from Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC ART: RENDEZVOUS WITH DESTINY!

The mighty Battlestar Galactica, and the rest of the Colonial Fleet, gathers for a doom-laden rendezvous with the Cylon Empire, as seen in this defining conceptual art from Ralph McQuarrie, for Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC ART: DESTINATION CONFIRMED

Plotting their next destination, Commander Adama and his bridge crew undertake their work in this classic conceptual art image by artistic genius Ralph McQuarrie, for what would become the Galactica's key activity hub, in Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC ART: DEADLY CONSPIRATORS

Inside a Cylon Raider, the traitorous Baltar watches the destruction of humanity, alongside two Cylon Centurions, in this intriguing early conceptual art for Saga of a Star World by the legendary Ralph McQuarrie.

CLASSIC ART: MINE WORK!

An early conceptual art idea by the legendary Ralph McQuarrie for the Ovions underground mine of Saga of a Star World, as one of its lasers cuts through a part of cave system, watched by a Colonial Warrior (presumably Skyler, before he became Captain Apollo).

Don't forget, the classic McQuarrie conceptual art can be purchased in a lovely set from DREAMS AND VISIONS PRESS here: Battlestar Galactica 35th Anniversary Portfolio - Ralph McQuarrie

CLASSIC ART: LAUNCHED INTO WAR!

Amidst heavy Cylon attack, one of the Galactica's Vipers blasts out of its bay and into action. One of my all-time favourite pieces of conceptual art from the original series by Ralph McQuarrie.

McQuarrie's artistic and commercial representatives, those fine people at DREAMS AND VISIONS PRESS, are now making available, officially licensed from UNIVERSAL, a selection of the late artist's work from the series, plus other original material from today's finest talents, available for purchase here: Dreams and Visions Press