Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Jeremy Barlow
Artist: Juan Frigeri
Release Date: 21st May 2014

Say what you want about the Phantom Menace (really – please do) but it did have one of the coolest characters ever to wield a light sabre  – and a double bladed one at that. The practicalities of such a weapon aside, Darth Maul looked the part. He has all the colours that nature warns us against and for good reason. The guy is terrifying and I’m so glad he survived being cut in half.

This four issue arc will tell the story that the cancelled Clone Wars animated series never got the chance to. With the Jedi, the Sith, the Republic and practically the whole universe against him, Maul isn’t short of enemies. It’s cool though, he has an army of his own and enough rage to put up a good fight. You can walk right into this story without knowing all that went on in the series.

The art is on form with a couple of pretty great locations – something Star Wars is renowned for. The characters themselves look good with many familiar faces. Looking like the actors who play them, they never look stiff or lifeless as can often happen. A couple of overly dramatic panels aside, everything looked great.

Never being much of a talker, Maul is written well here. The rage has been building and someone, likely many, will be on the receiving end of his light sabre. The rest of the big hitters have some good lines too with General Grievous in particular looking to be on fine form. It’s shaping up to be a good and important story and one that Star Wars fans should certainly check out.

Rating: 3/5.

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The writer of this piece was: James McQueen
You can also find James on Twitter.