Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord #1
Chad Burdette
Recap
One of the most feared villains of the galaxy far, far away returns next year in Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, a new animated series set after the events of the final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
In March, Marvel Comics will pave the way for the Disney+ series with STAR WARS: SHADOW OF MAUL, a five-issue prequel series written by Marvel superstar Benjamin Percy, who wrote the Sith Lord in last year’s Star Wars: Darth Maul – Black, White & Red series, and drawn by Madibek Musabekov, known for his acclaimed work on the recent Star Wars: Jedi Knights series.
Related:
- Star Wars: Darth Maul & Black, White & Red #1: There is a Red Door And I Want To Paint It Black
- Star Wars: Darth Maul – Black, White & Red #2: Maul Unleashed
- Star Wars: Darth Maul – Black, White & Red #3: The Id of a Sith Lord
- Star Wars: Darth Maul Black, White & Red #4: The Sound Of Silence
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord will reveal Maul’s plan to rebuild his criminal syndicate on Janix, a planet untouched by the Empire. STAR WARS: SHADOW OF MAUL introduces this new setting and cast, including Captain Brander Lawson and his partner, a droid nicknamed Two Boots, as they investigate shadowy dealings on Janix.
Welcome to Janix, a neon-lit, shadow-soaked maze of a planet that lies beyond the reach of the Empire. Captain Brander Lawson is doing his best to navigate the law in a lawless territory.
He’s joined by his partner, a droid nicknamed Two Boots, as they face off against scheming crime bosses… and as the looming threat of the shadow lord, Maul, nears.
Review
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord #1 is less about Darth Maul and more about setting the tone of this series leading into the upcoming Disney Plus series. Due to the overarching theme of the series, Maul establishing his criminal syndicate on Janix, a planet ignored by the Empire, then it stands to reason that readers should know more about the place and the supporting cast before getting into the meat of the story.
Those familiar with Percy’s work on the Darth Maul – Black, White & Red series, should already know that he understands the character of the former Sith Lord and history with Palpatine. Captain Brander Lawson and his droid partner Two Boots help set the scene and provide a touch of humor with their constant back and forth as they go about their jobs, giving off a buddy cop vibe that will hopefully continue throughout the story.
This series looks to travel new ground as it has been alluded to in the Clone Wars cartoon and Solo: A Star Wars Story. As this serves as the groundwork for the television series, it will be interesting to eventually see how important this story plays in the larger picture.
Fresh off his Star Wars:Jedi Knights series, Madibek Musabekov Madibek Musabekov, continues to show that he understands the Star Wars universe through his art.
Final Thoughts
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord #1, gives little panel time to the titular character, but still hits all the right beats in setting up the story to come.
Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord #1
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 8/108/10
- Art - 8/108/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 9/109/10
