Atha Prime Makes His Long Overdue Canon Debut in STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS

By Chad Burdette

on January 20, 2025

A dark new threat is coming to the galaxy far, far away, but true Star Wars fans know he’s been around much longer than anyone might expect!

Inspired by unused Return of the Jedi concept art, ATHA PRIME was planned to be the main villain for an unreleased Kenner toy line in the ’80s, one that was intended to continue the success of Star Wars action figures following the release of the Original Trilogy films.

Now, decades later, ATHA PRIME will officially debut in Marvel’s upcoming STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS comic series.

Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and acclaimed Star Wars comics writer Marc Guggenheim and rising star artist Madibek Musabekov will introduce the character as a mysterious planet’s tyrannical ruler who boldly opposes the Republic and the Jedi Order.

Befitting his legacy, ATHA PRIME is spotlighted on John Tyler Christopher’s Action Figure Variant Cover for STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHT #1 and will also be featured on Ramon Rosanas’ Foil Variant Cover. ATHA PRIME was also previously teased on Rosanas’ “Sneak Preview” variant cover for Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1.

Hitting stands on March 5, STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS takes place before The Phantom Menace and stars legendary Prequel Trilogy icons like Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and more, including fan-favorite characters and all-new Jedi. Each thrilling issue follows a different Jedi duo on pivotal missions throughout the galaxy, with an overarching threat binding them together. Who is the mysterious new villain targeting Qui-Gon Jinn for death, and how will it force the Jedi Order to evolve for a new age?

Guggenheim told Polygon in a recent interview:

“I love the idea that the Jedi are the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy,” “But there are surprisingly few examples of that out there — mainly because the Jedi get sucked into the Clone Wars. I’m as much of a fan of the Clone Wars as the next guy, but I really craved seeing the Jedi doing their thing on a non-war footing. That’s the great appeal of this new Jedi Knights series: We really get a chance to see what the Jedi did before the Clone Wars and their eventual fall.”

Editor Mark Paniccia explained in a Marvel press release:

“While developing the series, Marc discovered this deep cut—the antagonist from Kenner’s unrealized The Epic Continues toy line,” . “We saw the original design and were immediately sold. What a cool character to bring into canon and what a perfect book to do it in!”

Check out John Tyler Christopher and Ramon Rosanas’ covers along with Madibek Musabekov’s design sheet:

Madibek Musabekov’s design sheet: