If you find a Blu-Ray set of the Star Wars saga under your Christmas tree, check out the artwork for "The Empire Strikes Back." The image of Yoda was created by Brian Rood.
He's a 37-year-old graduate of Whitmer High School who still lives in the Toledo area, but works for a galaxy far, far away. Rood is one of a handful of artists contracted by Lucasfilm to create publicity images.
You can find his paintings on mugs, trading cards and posters. He even created special images for the "Star Wars Celebration" convention this past year, which showcased his work on larger-than-life banners and promotional materials.
Rood invited 13abc into his basement workshop where his artwork takes flight. We got a chance to see him touching up a painting of the Star Wars character Boba Fett. He also showed our cameras a new fine art piece: mirror images of Harrison Ford as Indiana Jones and Han Solo.
Recently, Rood says he acquired image licensing rights to several other properties, including "Zorro," "Tarzan" and "Ghostbusters." You'll no doubt be seeing his work across the pop-culture spectrum for years to come, and you can take pride knowing it came from a hometown visionary.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:50 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:50:34 GMT
Three suspects are still on the loose after an-early morning home invasion and murder in Waterville Township and investigators say the death of 34-year-old James Safadi was not a random act of violence.
Investigators say the home invasion death of 34-year-old James Safadi in Waterville was not a random act of violence. They believe the local business owner was targeted.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:01 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:01:59 GMT
A team that played football for years has reunited to pay tribute to their coach who died from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.It was the fifth year for the Dave Calabrese Football Blitz, but
It was the fifth year for the Dave Calabrese Football Blitz, but the first without Calabrese, who died just days ago after a battle with ALS.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:57:12 GMT
While the most intense of the severe weather will be in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, it is possible that we could see some severe thunderstorms, as early as Monday night, especially west of the Toledo metro area.
While the most intense of the severe weather will be in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, it is possible that we could see some severe thunderstorms, as early as Monday night, especially west of the Toledo metro area.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:45 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:45:41 GMT
Nearly 100 Antique automobiles were on display Saturday in Archbold at the annual antique car gathering at Sauder Village.Car collectors showcased their vintage vehicles and talked about these unique cars.Vistors
Nearly 100 Antique automobiles were on display Saturday in Archbold at the annual antique car gathering at Sauder Village.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:37 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:37:55 GMT
Students at Lourdes University received their diplomas Saturday at a graduation ceremony.Sister Mary Soro-Siak and Owens-Illinois CEO Albert Stroucken received honorary doctoral degrees.Strouken also delivered
Students at Lourdes University received their diplomas Saturday at a graduation ceremony.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:52:31 GMT
LEXINGTON, Mich. (AP) - Carol Connell remembers well the gift she gave Sara Ylen, a friend seemingly forced to bear too much misery. Ylen, a Michigan mother of two young boys, said she was battling cancer
A Michigan mom who claimed to be battling cancer and a rape survior is being accused of fraud and her community is reeling.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:52:10 GMT
DETROIT (AP) - A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned because there are
A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:42:53 GMT
CLEVELAND (AP) - Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has required some to study
Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:12 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:12:26 GMT
DECATUR TOWNSHIP, Mich. (AP) - Sheriff's deputies arrested a southwestern Michigan man after finding him driving a farm tractor on a county road while drunk. The Van Buren County sheriff's office says
Sheriff's deputies arrested a southwestern Michigan man after finding him driving a farm tractor on a county road while drunk.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:01 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:01:27 GMT
ATLANTA (AP) - A metro Atlanta woman who lost both hands, her left leg and right foot after contracting a flesh-eating disease has been fitted with bionic hands. Andy Copeland told the Associated Press
metro Atlanta woman who lost both hands, her left leg and right foot after contracting a flesh-eating disease has been fitted with bionic hands.
Saturday, May 18 2013 10:50 PM EDT2013-05-19 02:50:34 GMT
Three suspects are still on the loose after an-early morning home invasion and murder in Waterville Township and investigators say the death of 34-year-old James Safadi was not a random act of violence.
Investigators say the home invasion death of 34-year-old James Safadi in Waterville was not a random act of violence. They believe the local business owner was targeted.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:52:31 GMT
LEXINGTON, Mich. (AP) - Carol Connell remembers well the gift she gave Sara Ylen, a friend seemingly forced to bear too much misery. Ylen, a Michigan mother of two young boys, said she was battling cancer
A Michigan mom who claimed to be battling cancer and a rape survior is being accused of fraud and her community is reeling.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:11 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:11:00 GMT
DAMASCUS, Va. (AP) - Witnesses in southwestern Virginia say a car has driven into a crowd at a festival parade. Several people appeared to be hurt, but the nature of their injuries wasn't immediately
An elderly driver plowed into dozens of hikers marching in a Saturday parade in a small Virginia mountain town.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:01 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:01:59 GMT
A team that played football for years has reunited to pay tribute to their coach who died from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's Disease.It was the fifth year for the Dave Calabrese Football Blitz, but
It was the fifth year for the Dave Calabrese Football Blitz, but the first without Calabrese, who died just days ago after a battle with ALS.
Saturday, May 18 2013 7:57 PM EDT2013-05-18 23:57:12 GMT
While the most intense of the severe weather will be in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, it is possible that we could see some severe thunderstorms, as early as Monday night, especially west of the Toledo metro area.
While the most intense of the severe weather will be in the Great Plains and Mississippi Valley, it is possible that we could see some severe thunderstorms, as early as Monday night, especially west of the Toledo metro area.
Saturday, May 18 2013 6:24 PM EDT2013-05-18 22:24:10 GMT
A Toledo man is accused of animal cruelty after he hit his pit bull with 2 by 4.Police say Donnie Britton was trying to break up a fight between two dogs by hitting them with a board. Both dogs were injured
A Toledo man is accused of animal cruelty after he hit his pit bull with 2 by 4.
Saturday, May 18 2013 5:54 PM EDT2013-05-18 21:54:20 GMT
Verizon Wireless customers have been experiencing voice and data issues throughout the day on Saturday in Ohio.Customers in the Sandusky, Akron and Canton areas have seen an increased in dropped calls
Verizon Wireless customers have been experiencing voice and data issues throughout the day on Saturday in Ohio.
Saturday, May 18 2013 9:25 PM EDT2013-05-19 01:25:59 GMT
UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) - A wanted man with a criminal history dating back nearly 15 years was identified by police Saturday as the masked home invader involved in the death of a Hofstra University student
A wanted man with a criminal history dating back nearly 15 years was identified by police Saturday as the masked home invader involved in the death of a Hofstra University student early Friday morning.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:52 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:52:10 GMT
DETROIT (AP) - A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned because there are
A tiny insect is threatening Michigan's fruit and vegetable crops. The brown marmorated stink bug's presence in Michigan has growers and agriculture experts concerned.
Saturday, May 18 2013 8:42 PM EDT2013-05-19 00:42:53 GMT
CLEVELAND (AP) - Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has required some to study
Some of the Amish sentenced in beard-cutting attacks on fellow Amish in Ohio are upset with federal prison education requirements.
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