Columbiana artist draws cards for new film

By D.A. Wilkinson

The artist said he wouldn’t do the work if it wasn’t fun.

11“Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull” opens Thursday, the fourth installment in the series.

Columbiana artist Don Pedicini Jr. has drawn trading cards for the new “Indiana Jones” movie and upcoming “Star Wars” shows.

The artist said that so far, “No one knows the ending” of the Indiana Jones movie.

Pedicini, who is a big man, a husband and a father, said that for him, the real thrill is, “The little boy in me is just going ‘wow!’”

He and other artists are given information from the studios to prepare the cards. They have to sign confidentiality agreements that they will not release information until a certain date.

Pedicini said the materials come with movie-like warnings including, “Confidential” and “Your Eyes Only.”

But he can now talk about his cards for the new movie. One is of John Hurt, who plays Harold “Ox” Oxley, and another is of Cate Blanchett who plays Irina Spalko. Pedicini said he didn’t know much about Hurt’s character, but said that Blanchett is a villainess.

Other cards are of a skull and, of course, Harrison Ford as “Indy.”

Pedicini said the movie is set in 1957 during the Cold War. “Instead of fighting the Nazis, he’s going against the Russians.”

Pedicini said he is very appreciative for being able to draw for the franchises.

For this movie, “I tried to differ my style,” Pedicini said.

Hurt and the Skull are more traditional drawings, while the cards of Ford and Blanchett are more colorful.

“I wanted to be a little more creative. I did not want the same look for each card,” Pedicini said.

Hurt and the skull cards will wind up in Topps cards, while Pedicini can and does sell the others.

It’s a huge business. There are a large number of artists who draw Indiana Jones cards, with styles ranging from lifelike to cartoons.

Pedicini turned down an offer by Lucasfilm to go to the Celebration Japan event in that country later this summer because he’s too busy. He will be doing Star Wars Fan Days 2 in Dallas Texas in October.

Pedicini has been asked to contribute cards for “Clone Wars,” which will be produced by Lucasfilm Animation. Pedicini said that some 100 shows will be made.

“If it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t be doing it,” Pedicini said.

Josh Nativio, the manager of All American Cards & Comics in Warren, said it will offer a four-part comic adaptation of the new movie. It will also offer an omnibus of previously published Indy adventures.

All American isn’t carrying Indy merchandise since its purchase price is the price that Wal-Mart is selling the item for.

Paul Worley, the owner of Bennie’s in Sharon, Pa., said it has the comics and some merchandise from the new installment.

Worley said, “People are looking forward to it and are waiting for it to come out.”

A comic book artist himself, Worley said “people do want a roller-coaster ride.”