Ewok haters! See this guy's awesome diorama and beg for forgiveness

There are many Star Wars fans out there that hate Ewoks. I am not one of them (and I am not alone). So when I randomly happened on a blog declaring November 1 as World Ewok Appreciation Day, I decided the time was right to share my Ewok geekery with the world.

Here’s me hanging with some Ewoks at San Diego Comic Con International.

Return of the Jedi came out when I was nine years old. Like most other kids my age, I thought the Ewoks were cool, especially in those scenes when they stole the speeder bike and you know, when they kicked the Empire’s ass with spears and rocks and logs.

I got the first few Ewok action figures as soon as they came out. I scored big time when I got the Ewok Village playset for Christmas. I remember thinking back then how awesome it would be if I had dozens of different Ewok action figures, and a bigger village playset to put them in. (So in other words, George Lucas’ plan worked like a charm.)

But, like children do, I got older and my interests expanded and changed. Eventually, the Ewoks, the village and all of my other Star Wars toys got packed away in my parents’ attic. I went to high school, college, started my career, bought a house, and met a great guy and got engaged. In other words, I grew up, and pretty much forgot all about Ewoks.

Ewok action figures featured on RebelScum.com.

Until a last year, that is, when I found myself up in that attic and decided to go through my old toys. When I saw those old action figures, I couldn’t help but feel nostalgic.

Then I thought to myself, wouldn’t it be fun and kitschy and geeky-cool if I brought those figures home and put them on display on a shelf? So I did. Shortly after that, on a whim, I went on eBay and discovered that in the ensuing decades that there were bunches of new Ewok figures, and it was all over. I was hooked again. I started buying action figures, accessories and even additional village playsets.

Hundreds of dollars and many trips to the art store later, I had created a little slice of Endor right in my bedroom. In celebration of World Ewok Appreciation Day, I share it now with you.

The village project started out with a large forest mural on canvas purchased from IKEA and supplies from the arts and craft store.

In addition to store-bought supplies, I used pieces of natural material gathered in the local woods, like these fungus covered pieces of wood.

This is the first iteration of the village in my bedroom.

Ewok scouts on the ground.

Ewoks are well-camouflaged in their natural habitat.

More camouflaged Ewoks.

Here’s an Ewok archer up in the trees.

More scouts on the ground.

The village soon doubled in size as I bought more figures and incorporated the Ewok Village playset.

There are some amazing accessories, like this catapult.

Chief Chirpa and his daughter Kneesa. Yes, I ditched her pink hood in favor of the natural colored one.

No rest for the weary! Ewok scouts manning the campfire.

Chewbacca and his Ewok friend. Yes, I’m obsessed with Wookiees too.

Ewok glider scouts patrol the forest through the treetops.

I incorporated some living plants like this miniature orchid.

This Ewok is wearing a utility belt scavenged from a dead stormtrooper.

Babies and youngsters hang out in the safety of Bright Tree Village.

Another archer up in the treetops.

I got these cool hand-carved mushrooms from a local artisan at a Renaissance Festival.

Scout Trooper: it’s what’s for dinner!

Ewok warriors standing by to take on the Empire.

Wicket and Teebo watching from the trees.

Catapult operators taking a break under a giant forest mushroom.

Ewoks are practical and don’t let anything go to waste.

Ewok descending rope to the ground from the village. I used acrylic paint to improve the paint job on the original village playset.

I picked up woven nesting pockets for finches from the local pet store. It made the perfect Ewok treetop hut.

More nighttime watchers, this time in the treetops.

I haven’t limited my Ewok obsession to action figures and dioramas in my bedroom. My buddy Zack Giallongo is an amazing comics artist who wrote and illustrated a fun graphic novel called Shadows of Endor. You should check it out.

Comics artist and author Zack Giallongo’s “Shadows of Endor” graphic novel and a commissioned Ewok sketch he did for me.

Ewok art done on commission for me by “Shadows of Endor” artist Zack Giallongo.