Fans react as George Lucas makes first-ever appearance at Comic-Con
For the first time in the convention's history, Star Wars creator George Lucas appeared onstage at the iconic pop culture event. Lucas joined fellow Oscar winners Guillermo del Toro and Doug Chiang for a Sunday morning panel that filled Hall H to capacity.
Jerry Vanderstelt is known for his fine art reproductions and original Star Wars-themed work. He's been a regular at Comic-Con for nearly two decades and says the event has had a profound impact on his life.
'Some of the best things that have ever happened in my career were because of San Diego Comic-Con,' he said.
George Lucas, Guillermo del Toro give first look at narrative art museum at Comic-Con
On Sunday, things came full circle for Vanderstelt as Lucas took the stage, marking his first-ever Comic-Con panel appearance.
'It's wonderful that he participates in the pop culture of today, especially as the man who created a movie that changed film forever,' Vanderstelt said.
Over at booth 2135, illustrator and fan Russell Walks reflected on Lucas's influence.
Years ago, Walks pitched a trading card series based on Joseph Campbell's 'Hero's Journey' to Lucasfilm. He was initially turned down, but he didn't give up. Instead, he wrote a letter directly to Lucas.
'I get goosebumps when I talk about it,' Walks said. 'A month or so later, I got a phone call from Lucasfilm. It was George's secretary, and she read a note he had left her to read to me. It just said, 'I love the artwork you sent. I like the note even more. We're going to give you permission to do this story.''
During the panel, Lucas and Del Toro teased the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a project that's quickly becoming a must-see for fans.
'My favorite part was actually hearing the stories between George and Guillermo del Toro,' one fan said. 'They talked about the importance of narrative art, and how it's something we borrow for a time, then pass along to the next generation.'
For artists like Walks, the moment was about more than nostalgia.
'To persevere, and to realize that Star Wars in general is more than just lightsabers and laser blasts, it's about redemption and finding what you're made to do, and doing it,' he said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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