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Matt Busch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the American illustrator. For the actor, see Matt Bush (actor). For the baseball player, see Matt Bush (baseball).
Matt Busch
Busch with a Chewbacca impersonator in Star Wars Celebration Europe on July 14, 2007
Born
Matthew Stuart Busch

(1972-09-22) September 22, 1972 (age 52)
Lebanon, Pennsylvania, United States
NationalityAmerican
EducationArt Center College of Design
Occupation(s)Illustrator, artist, professor, author, writer, director, filmmaker
Years active1994–present
Notable workYou Can Draw Star Wars, Indiana Jones World Map, Aladdin 3477, Afterburn covers, Hollywood is Dead, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Style D One Sheet
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Spouse
Lin Zy
​
​
(m. 2011, divorced)​
Casey McGrath
​
(m. 2024)​
Children1
Parent(s)Frederick Busch (father)
Peggy Busch (mother)[1]
Websitewww.mattbusch.com

Matthew Stuart "Matt" Busch (born September 22, 1972) is an American artist and entertainment illustrator.

He is currently a professor of Media and Communication Arts at Macomb Community College. He teaches a range of courses including figure illustration and commercial arts.[2]

Early life

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Busch was born in Lebanon, Pennsylvania on September 22, 1972, to Frederick and Peggy Busch. He grew up in the northern suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. After getting an associate degree from Macomb Community College, he moved to Pasadena, California, where he attended the Los Angeles Art Academy, and received a bachelor's degree from the Art Center College of Design. He began working in Hollywood illustrating concept art and storyboards for films like Con Air and The Matrix.[3] After living in Los Angeles for nearly a decade during the 1990s, Busch eventually returned to the Northern Detroit area where he set up his company, Planetmatt Entertainment, and continues to work on Hollywood projects, via new technology.[4]

He is well known in many different circles of pop culture and fandom as an entertainment illustrator. Mostly known for his work with the Star Wars universe,[5] Busch has provided numerous covers, posters, and other material for the franchise.

Career

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Star Wars illustrator

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Matt Busch has illustrated numerous official Star Wars posters, books, apparel, and other products since 1994.

Since 1994, Matt Busch has provided art for official Star Wars books, posters, magazines, and other products. Early in his career, Busch started illustrating products for the Star Wars: The Roleplaying Game and the cover for Star Wars: Tales from the Empire, which became a New York Times Best Seller.[6] One of his more recent projects was illustrating the Style D One Sheet movie poster for Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith.[7]

Busch is perhaps best known for his outspoken antics in the You Can Draw Star Wars video series, which is based on the book of the same name, which he also illustrated.[8] The video series was first released online and later released on DVD.[9] Following that, the videos found even more success when they were released on MySpace.com, and shot straight to number one on their charts.[10] Volume Two of the same tutorial series was also released on DVD.[11]

Busch with Bonnie Burton in Star Wars Celebration Europe on July 14, 2007

In 2008, Hasbro released a droid action figure named MB-RA-7, which was named after Matt Busch.[12][13] Also that year, Busch became the first Honorary Member of the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers to become an official member with his own TK Stormtrooper armor.[14][15] His TK number, 3477, is leet for "Matt" and later became the year his Aladdin 3477 film trilogy would take place.[3]

In October 2009, he created and released Zombie Wars Episode I: The Zombie Menace, Zombie Wars Episode II: Attack of the Undead, Zombie Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Zombies, Zombie Wars Episode IV: A New Epidemic, Zombie Wars Episode V: The Living Dead Strike Back, and Zombie Wars Episode VI: Return from the Grave.[16][17] A couple of months later, Kohl's department stores re-released an exclusive Boba Fett T-shirt featuring Busch's art.[18]

Pop artist

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Busch has contributed to comic books and trading cards, having worked on such properties as Afterburn, Alizarin's Journal, Coven 13, Lady Death, Night of the Living Dead, and Witchblade.[19]

In 2009, Busch was hand-selected to illustrate President Obama for the cover of the DVD documentary, Becoming Barack: Evolution of a Leader. Busch also produced a bonus feature on the DVD.[20]

Filmmaker

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Having worked behind the scenes for years in many aspects of movie making, Busch eventually moved into the world of independent filmmaking. In 2006, his first feature-length movie, Conjure, was released straight-to-DVD; a project that he wrote, directed, starred in, and even composed the music for.[21] The movie gained critical acclaim and even shattered records in the Horror Genre.[22]

In 2009, Busch released a DVD titled Illustration Nation, a documentary of travel adventures ranging from Hollywood to London to Tokyo.[23]

Busch's magnum opus is writing and directing a trilogy titled Aladdin 3477 based on the classic Arabian Nights tale Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp. The movie is set in Asia 1,500 years in the future.[24] The first film, Aladdin 3477- I: The Jinn of Wisdom was released January 3rd, 2025 on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Fandango at Home.[3]

Personal life

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Busch was married to Lin Zy (née Selestow), a puppet designer, in 2011, but divorced in 2019.[25] He later married Casey McGrath, a novelist, in 2024. Busch resides in a multi-faceted home studio with his wife, their son Beaux, and dog Kyp.[3]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2006 Conjure Writer, Director, himself Straight-to-DVD
2008 Illustration Nation Himself Documentary
2025 Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom Writer, Director Streaming, VOD, Blu ray, DVD

Film director

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Year Title Notes
2006 Conjure Straight-to-DVD
2025 Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom Streaming, VOD, Blu ray, DVD

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2015 Local 4 News Himself Interview[26]

Internet

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Year Title Role Notes
2024 Illustrating Star Wars Artist 4-part tutorial videos[27]
2023 - present Aladdin 3477: Draw This In Your Style Himself Aladdin 3477 character art challenges[28]
2020 - present Matt's Class Instructor Art tutorial videos[29]
2020 - 2021 Sketchbook Challenge Artist 50-part art challenge videos[30]
2010 Hollywood is Dead Artist Zombie art videos[31]
2007–2012[32] How to Draw Star Wars Himself 22-part tutorial videos[33]

Published books

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  • The Art of Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom, published by Kaleidoscope Koi Entertainment, LLC (2025) (ISBN 9780971789074)
  • The Star Wars Poster Book, published by Chronicle Books (2025) (ISBN 9780811848831)
  • Aladdin 3477: Official Collector's Edition, published by Kaleidoscope Koi Entertainment, LLC (April 2023) (ISBN 9780971789067)
  • Afterburn (1) Graphic Novel, published by Red 5 Comics (2021) (ISBN 9781732797628)
  • Stranger Things: Visions from the Upside Down, published by Del Rey / Random House (2019) (ISBN 9781984821126)
  • The Cyberpunk Nexus, published by Sequart (2018) (ISBN 9781940589183)
  • The Art of Film: Star Wars - Volume 2, published by Future Publishing (2017) (ISBN 2907484078)
  • Star Wars - Legends: Tales from the Empire, published by Del Rey / Random House (2017) (ISBN 9780553578768)
  • The Art of Painted Comics, published by Dynamite Entertainment (June 2016) (ISBN 9781606903537)
  • The Art of Film: Star Wars, published by Future Publishing (2015) (ISBN 0290748407)
  • Hollywood is Dead, published by Planetmatt Entertainment (2014) (ISBN 9780971789036)
  • Star Wars Art: Illustration, published by Abrams Books (October 2012) (ISBN 9781419704307)
  • The Zombook, published by Graffito Books (2012) (ISBN 9780956028457)
  • Conspiracy of the Planet of the Apes, published by Boom Entertainment (2011) (ISBN 9781936393367)
  • Matt Busch's Sketchbook (Now With 90% More Bad-Ass!), published by Planetmatt Entertainment (December 2010) (ISBN 9780971789036)
  • Star Wars: 1000 Collectibles, published by Harry N. Abrams (October 2009) (ISBN 9780810972919)
  • The Worlds of Matt Busch, published by Hermes Press (April 2008) (ISBN 9781932563009)
  • Gene Simmons House of Horrors, published by IDW Publishing (February 2008) (ISBN 9781600101366)
  • Walt Disney: The American Dreamer, published by Tomart Publications (2008) (ISBN 978091429361-3)
  • You Can Draw Star Wars, published by DK Publishing (January 2007) (ISBN 9780756623432)
  • Pucker: The Seductive Art of Matt Busch, published by SQP Publishing (September 2006) (ISBN 9780865621442)
  • Aprodisia II - Art of the Female Form, published by Aristata Publishing (2006) (ISBN 0975491237)
  • Vader: The Ultimate Guide, published by Simon & Schuster (2005) (ISBN 9781847376657)
  • Battlestar Galactica: Paradis, published by Simon & Schuster (2004) (ISBN 0743498348)
  • Crisis - an Illustrated Screenplay, published by Accomplished Productions (April 2002) (ISBN 0971789002)
  • Star Wars: Secrets of Naboo, published by Wizards of the Coast (2001) (ISBN 0786917946)
  • Fantastic Visions: The Art of Matt Busch, published by Avatar Press (September 2001) (ISBN 9780970678416)
  • Battlestar Galactica: Resurrection, published by Simon & Schuster (2001) (ISBN 0743413261)
  • How to Draw Peanuts, published by Scholastic (1999) (ISBN 9780816772476)
  • Star Wars Classic Adventures - Volume Four, published by West End Games (1997) (ISBN 0874312922)
  • Star Wars: Platt's Smugglers Guide, published by West End Games (1997) (ISBN 0874315085)
  • Star Wars: Instant Adventures, published by West End Games (1997) (ISBN 0874315107)
  • Star Wars: Tales from the Empire, Published by Bantam Books (1997) (ISBN 0553578766)
  • Star Wars: Alliance Intelligence Reports, published by West End Games (1995) (ISBN 0874312604)
  • Star Wars: Heroes & Rogues, published by West End Games (1995) (ISBN 0874312582)
  • Star Wars: Fantastic Technology, published by West End Games (1995) (ISBN 0874312159)
  • Star Wars Adventure Journal Volume 1 No.5-14, published by West End Games (1995) (ISBN 9780874314069)

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Matt Busch's biography Archived 2008-01-07 at the Wayback Machine – Matt Busch
  2. ^ Matt Busch's online client list, résumé, and curriculum vita Archived 2008-01-07 at the Wayback Machine – Matt Busch
  3. ^ a b c d "Macomb director's 'Aladdin 3477′ released on Apple TV, Fandango and Prime Video". Macomb Daily. 2025-01-07. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
  4. ^ Matt Busch's biography Archived 2008-01-07 at the Wayback Machine – Matt Busch
  5. ^ Star Wars Artist Series: Matt Busch (July 28, 2005) – Star Wars
  6. ^ 'Matt Busch: Dreams Really Do Come True' by Loren Phillips[usurped] (July 16, 1999) – Echo Station
  7. ^ Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith Style D One Sheet movie poster – Hollywood is Dead
  8. ^ 'Local Illustrator Brings Star Wars Characters to Life' by Sarah Cormier (January 24, 2007) – C&G Newspapers
  9. ^ 'C4: Matt Busch Drawing DVD Available' by Jay (May 16, 2007) – TheForce.net
  10. ^ 'Number One. THANK YOU!' by Planetmatt (October 7, 2007) – LiveJournal
  11. ^ 'You Can Draw Star Wars, Vol. 2' by Dustin (July 7, 2008) – TheForce.net
  12. ^ 'Hasbro releases new Star Wars action figure named after Matt Busch!' Archived 2015-10-03 at the Wayback Machine (December 16, 2008) – Matt Busch
  13. ^ MB-RA-7 – Jedi Temple Archives
  14. ^ Card 165 – Matt Busch – 501st Legion
  15. ^ Matt Busch's 501st Legion Stormtrooper trading card – Matt Busch Store
  16. ^ Matt Busch's Zombie Wars posters Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine (October 13–17, 2009) – Matt Busch
  17. ^ Matt Busch's Zombie Wars posters (December 7, 2009) – Geekologie
  18. ^ 'Kohl's exclusive Boba Fett T-shirt back by demand!' Archived 2016-03-04 at the Wayback Machine (February 10, 2010) – Matt Busch
  19. ^ 'Post-Apocalyptic Treasure Hunting in Afterburn' by SuperHeroHype (November 2, 2007) – Superhero Hype!
  20. ^ 'Illustrating Obama with Artist Matt Busch' by Matt Busch (August 4, 2009) – Facebook
  21. ^ 'Conjure' Archived 2008-01-02 at the Wayback Machine – Matt Busch
  22. ^ 'Matt Busch's First Independent Thriller Sets A New Record!' by Dustin (March 29, 2006) – TheForce.net
  23. ^ 'Illustration Nation' Now Available on DVD' by Dustin (May 24, 2009) – TheForce.net
  24. ^ Aladdin 3477's frequently asked questions – Aladdin 3477
  25. ^ 'Matt Busch Gets Married!' Archived 2015-09-07 at the Wayback Machine (October 19, 2011) – Matt Busch
  26. ^ 'Michigan Man Creates 'Aladdin 3477' Movie Out of Love for 'Star Wars' by Lauren Podell (March 3, 2015) – Local 4 News
  27. ^ MATT BUSCH (2024-10-01). ILLUSTRATING STAR WARS Trailer (HD) | New Series. Retrieved 2025-05-30 – via YouTube.
  28. ^ MATT BUSCH (2024-01-09). Princess Kamala: DRAW THIS IN YOUR STYLE Contest!. Retrieved 2025-05-30 – via YouTube.
  29. ^ MATT BUSCH (2020-09-11). How to Sharpen your Charcoal Pencil (the Correct Way!). Retrieved 2025-05-30 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ MATT BUSCH (2020-09-03). Welcome to the SKETCHBOOK CHALLENGE!. Retrieved 2025-05-30 – via YouTube.
  31. ^ MATT BUSCH (2022-10-25). What is HOLLYWOOD IS DEAD?!. Retrieved 2025-05-30 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ 'Lin Zy Directs the Series Finale of 'You Can Draw Star Wars' by Lin Zy Archived 2015-09-25 at the Wayback Machine (April 14, 2012) – Lin Zy
  33. ^ Matt Busch's 'How to Draw Star Wars' tutorial videos – YouTube
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