I used to be quite an avid collector of one-sheets, those oversized posters that advertise the coming attractions out in front of movie theaters. I eventually dropped the habit, partly because my interests were pulling me toward other categories of collectibles, but also because the painted artwork-type posters that I particularly loved fell out of style. (If you haven’t noticed, one-sheets for the last decade or so have mostly consisted of boring photoshopped “face collages.” Bleh. I hate those things. One is practically indistinguishable from the next; nothing distinctive or interesting about any of them.) I’m therefore very pleased to see that the powers-that-be have chosen to go retro for the official Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull “teaser” one-sheet*, which was just unveiled today:

The artwork is by master illustrator Drew Struzan, who was one of my faves back in my collecting days. Struzan has one of the most distinctive and recognizable styles out there in the illustration world, and a great deal of his work would no doubt look familiar even to the most casual of movie-goers. He also has a long history with Lucasfilm — he’s painted many one-sheets and book covers for both the Star Wars and Indiana Jones franchises — so it’s no surprise he was tapped for this project, and it looks like he’s turned in another classic piece.

Although I haven’t collected one-sheets on any kind of regular basis in a very long time, I do still occasionally pick up those that strike my fancy. This is definitely one that’ll find its way into the fabulous Bennion Archives…

*FYI, most “big” movies — a Star Wars or Indiana Jones — will actually come with two one-sheets. The teaser comes out first and is exactly what it sounds like: an advance design that is intended basically just to let the public know the movie is coming. Usually the design on the teaser is more pared back, a single, striking image designed to generate discussion, curiosity, etc. (One of the more interesting teasers I’ve ever seen was for Back to the Future II; it was simply a black poster with a pair of fire trails like those left behind by the time-traveling Delorean receding off into the distance. No text, nothing to tell you what the flick is, unless you remembered that particular effect from the first film.) The second, or “regular” design usually comes out much closer to the film’s actual release date, and will typically feature more elaborate art and design, complete credits, etc. If Crystal Skull follows the usual Indy movie pattern, this first design — which feature Indy alone and looking heroic — will be followed by a collage showing the other characters and one or two of the set pieces from the film. Can’t wait to see it!