Warning! This post contains a preview for Darth Maul: Black, White & Red #1
Darth Maul is getting a brand-new Star Wars series that will see him faced with a dark new power beyond that of the Sith. Coming from Marvel Comics, this canonical anthology series will feature never-before-seen moments from Darth Maul’s life in the Star Wars timeline, beginning with his service to Darth Sidious before the events of The Phantom Menace. To that end, this first issue will reveal a mission involving a brand-new Force cult.
Marvel Comics’ Darth Maul: Black, White & Red #1 will feature the story “Ghost Ship” by Benjamin Percy and Stefano Raffaele. Having received a horrifying transmission from a derelict prison ship containing the pained screams of thousands and images that threaten to break the mind. Intrigued by the chaotic darkness emanating from this ship, Sidious sends Darth Maul to investigate this ship and the prisoners of the Force cult known as the Final Occultation. Check out the preview images for the upcoming issue below:
Rather than Maul simply eradicating this new rival Force group, it seems Sidous wants to interrogate its leaders to learn more about their chaotic power. To that end, it may be revealed that the power of the Final Occultation once rivaled the powers of the Sith themselves.
While it seems their number is quite large aboard this prison ship, Maul has zeroed in on the Occultation’s leading trinity. Each one looks to be more intimidating than the last, and it’s not yet known how much power they wield. As seen in the new preview, their names are Heldi Cerebron, Vasik Aldritch, and one with an unknown name. Although these members were all “detained” and taken aboard this prison ship, it wouldn’t be surprising to learn that it’s all one large trap to lure the Sith.
As noted by Maul himself, the Final Occultation’s chaotic and volatile power comes from the “netherworld of the Force”. Likewise, it seems they know who Sidious and Maul are and are threatening to expose their existence to the galaxy. Naturally, this would ruin all of Sidious’ plans as Senator Palpatine with the Jedi and Republic long before they’d officially begun as seen in Star Wars’ prequel trilogy.
Maul also expresses apprehension towards his master’s eagerness to interrogate the Final Occultation. After all, their chaotic power is something Maul describes as anarchic and perhaps borderline heretical, defying the Way of the Sith. That said, Palpatine has proven countless times that he cares very little for the tenants of the Sith if breaking them meant he could receive more power. As such, it will be fascinating to see whether Maul successfully captures the members of the Final Occultation for Sidious, or if he simply kills them all when facing their volatile power which perhaps rivals the dark side itself.
Darth Maul: Black, White & Red #1 releases April 24th from Marvel Comics.