Cad Bane Returns and Maul Feeds His Rage on Malachor in Marvel’s Darth Maul #2

This week in the world of Star Wars comics, writer Cullen Bunn and artist Luke Ross continue the saga of Sith Apprentice Darth Maul in Marvel’s Darth Maul #2, the second issue in a five-part mini-series set before the events of The Phantom Menace. This issue finds Maul in the heart of the criminal underworld as he allies with bounty hunters Cad Bane and Aurra Sing to track down a kidnapped Jedi Padawan. Spoilers ahead (also beware of spoilers if you haven’t seen the latest episode of Star Wars: Rebels)… 

 

 

 

So here we are in the aftermath of the penultimate episode of Star Wars: Rebels Season 3 – a spectacular episode that saw ex-Sith Lord Darth Maul meet his ultimate end at the hands of his oldest enemy and greatest rival, Obi-Wan Kenobi. In the decisive blink-and-you’ll-miss-it duel, Maul was cut to the heart (in the most literal sense) by the aging Jedi master. In the wake of Maul’s death, the timing of Marvel’s most recent 5-issue mini-series suddenly becomes clear.

 

 

Much like what Marjorie Liu’s Han Solo series did for the character of Han Solo following his death in The Force Awakens, Darth Maul (written by Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Luke Ross) sets out to tell the story of Maul in his early days, as the rising apprentice of the plotting Sith Lord Darth Sidious. But will this series be more than just an attempt to capitalize on the current popularity of the character? Well, if issue #2 is any indication of what’s to come, Bunn might have a story worth telling up his sleeve after all.

 

 

After discovering that Xev Xrexus, the boss of the Xrexus Cartel has captured a Jedi Padawan and is preparing to auction her off to the highest bidder, Darth Maul #2 finds Maul on Nar Shaddaa, trying to track down the location of the secret auction. Knowing that his master does not approve of his impatience, and that the punishment for insubordination would be severe, Maul embarks on his mission behind Sidious’ back. Emboldened by undying rage, he grows tired of waiting for Sidious’ schemes to come to fruition, and sets out to test his mettle against the Jedi Padawan.

 

 

This issue sees the return of the fan-favorite bounty hunters Aurra Sing and Cad Bane, along with a couple of others, as they team up with Maul to track down the location of Xev’s little soiree. The bounty hunters’ connections in the underworld come through as they obtain the location of the auction, as well as the clearance codes they need to secure a proper invitation to the party. Cad Bane is no patsy as he strongly suspects that Maul is just using them for his own selfish gain. However, the Duro bounty hunter is not about to pass up an opportunity for a big score, no matter the risk.

 

 

At the auction, Maul is disgusted by the motives of the participants in acquiring the Padawan. He believes that his own motives are of the purest intention, merely wanting to test his might against a rival enemy. The issue concludes as Maul infiltrates the bowels of Xev’s facility and comes face to face with the Jedi Padawan, Eldra Kaitis, a young female Twi’lek who – if her first words to Maul are any indication – may turn out to be more than just lightsaber fodder for the Sith apprentice. At first introduction, she seems like she may be pretty feisty, so I’m hoping that she may end up being a worthy adversary of Maul – or better yet – an unlikely ally.

 

 

I always love the little glimpses we get of the ancient Sith and Jedi, whether it be traveling to Malachor in the Rebels Season 2 episode “Twilight of the Apprentice” or learning about the Ordu Aspectu in Marvel’s ongoing Doctor Aphra series. One of the stand out moments in this issue, is when readers are shown a flashback to Maul’s training with Sidious during one of his Sith meditations. In the flashback, we see the duo on Malachor, walking the grounds of the ancient battlefield, witnessing the ash and devastation that the Jedi left of their Sith predecessors. Sidious forces Maul to breathe in the ashes of the ancient Sith Lords, and Maul is able to tap into their memories – adopting their rage as his own – an act that continues to fuel his hatred, even now.

 

 

Issue #2 builds on the foundation laid in the first issue of this series in a big way, as the plot sees some real progression, and new characters are pulled into the story. Time will tell if this mini-series was worth the effort, but so far, I like where this is going. After a good-but-not-great first issue, issue #2 is a solid step forward in Marvel’s Darth Maul mini-series. The book is available now in a comic shop near you, or you can download your digital copy on Comixology.

 

 

 

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Jordan Pate is Co-Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net, of which he is also a member of the book and comic review team. He loves all things Star Wars, but when he's not spending time in the galaxy far far away, he might be found in our own galaxy hanging out in Gotham City or at 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center, NY.

Jordan Pate (Hard Case)

Jordan Pate is Co-Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net, of which he is also a member of the book and comic review team. He loves all things Star Wars, but when he's not spending time in the galaxy far far away, he might be found in our own galaxy hanging out in Gotham City or at 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center, NY.

19 thoughts on “Cad Bane Returns and Maul Feeds His Rage on Malachor in Marvel’s Darth Maul #2

  • March 22, 2017 at 6:22 pm
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    I hope to see more of Maul in the future.
    It feels clear to me that we will be getting the Seige of Manadlore story at some point (with all the hints in Rebels + the lack of detail in Ahsoka novel). Personally I feel they should do a special tv episode/ tv movie (eg 4episode arc) of it -even just using the Rebels animation for legal reasons- with all the clone wars voice actors.

    I honestly can’t understand why they arent just finishing the clone wars series. The recent resurgence in the show has had many people (who hadnt watched/heard of it before) who are now watching and enjoy it.
    If it is a production money issue, surely they could utilise the Rebels animation style.

    There arent that many essential story arcs to be told which could wrap up the series.

    – The Ahsoka working on corasaunt arc; lets us focus on Ahsoka adjusting to life outside the Order.

    – The Sith Temple under Jedi Temple arc; important as it establishes Ahsoka is still in contact with the Jedi. + the temple is Canon in Tarkin.

    – Son of Dathomir: Important to explain events to Maul in Manadlore Seige + ends Mother Talzins story.

    – Dark Disicple: I loved the book but I truly think those episodes should be animated. It would tie up the loose end of Ventress.

    -Seige of Mandlore; explains were Ahsoka, Rex and Maul are in revenge of the Sith and heads directly into the Reveng of the Sith film.

    I believe these 5 story arcs are essential stories which would act to wrap up the clone wars in a neat bow. They explain the fates of the major characters in the seires.
    (They could also finsih the animation in the Utapau + bad batch arcs, but I dont feel them to be essential).

    • March 22, 2017 at 7:23 pm
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      That would really be ideal. ‘Rebels’ and any related part of the new canon has been pretty much produced assuming the unfinished stories happened anyway, so we might as well see them in a more complete form.

      In more realistic terms, I could see them taking the cheaper route and go for comics or books, maybe as an anthology of final Clone Wars missions or through something such as an Ahsoka ongoing comic or limited series (either of which I would be so willing to buy).

      I’ve actually seen a ‘Son of Dathomir’ Marvel paperback being listed lately, reprinting the original comic series with some additional Maul-related material from ‘Star Wars Tales’. It could just be an attempt to cash in on Maul’s recent resurgence or Marvel/Lucasfilm also putting their feelers out to see if there’s still an appetite for more Clone Wars stories.

      • March 22, 2017 at 8:28 pm
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        I would love an Ahsoka comic set between Ahsoka novel and her apperance on Rebels. Im honestly surprised they havent announced a solo comic (even a 5 issue limited) for her yet.

        I personally just feel that instead of all the “filler episodes” of Rebels (and by filler I mean true filler which doesnt advance the plot such as Space Whales), they could have easily produced episodes for these arcs. Again, I dont mind if they using the Rebels animation style (though I would prefer the clone wars style to make it feel cohesive).

        Again I feel these 5 arcs to be the most important for clone wars (unlike say the yoda on kashyyk arc). While Dark Disciple and Son of Dathomir are great, I personally feel they should be animated; especially since Ventress is killed off. Again it may bring up the problem of which is canon the comic/book or the episode. But both Force Awakens and Rogue One exist as films and books (of which are both canon).

        • March 23, 2017 at 6:49 am
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          I assume the comics and episodes wouldn’t contradict each other, it’s just that the comics/novels would have expanded content and maybe a few dialogue differences.

          • March 23, 2017 at 1:16 pm
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            Playing devil’s advocate here…The Rogue One book is pretty consistent, but TFA has some contradictions (although minor) between the book and the film. For ex. – Kylo Ren slashes Finn in the chest instead of the back. But I agree – I think the best approach is to accept the additional content as canon and when something clashes with what’s on screen – go with the filmed version.

          • March 23, 2017 at 5:25 pm
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            Personally, the way I wiggle around it in my head is that the books and movies omit content from one another. So Finn was slashed in both the back AND the chest, and the book only mentioned the chest, while the film only showed the back. As for dialogue, I just go by the films.

      • March 22, 2017 at 10:39 pm
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        Where did you see a Marvel copy of “Son of Dathomir”? The only TPBs I can find are the original Dark Horse ones which are listed for over $100 on Amazon.

        • March 22, 2017 at 11:25 pm
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          I actually found it on Amazon. If it helps, its ISBN 13 number is listed as 9781302908461.

          • March 23, 2017 at 1:50 am
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            It’s not tentative. This is the re-print we have been clamoring for.

          • March 23, 2017 at 7:45 am
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            Yes, I know. It’s just that I’ve been bitten before when it comes to comic book listings and cancellations.

            I’m sure we’ll all have it in our hands come November.

          • March 23, 2017 at 5:45 pm
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            Hopefully. There’s no way in hell that I’m paying $174 for a trade paperback.

          • March 23, 2017 at 5:56 pm
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            Amen to that. If anyone is interested in buying one at that price, though, I would be somewhat tempted to part with my copy.

          • March 23, 2017 at 4:16 am
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            This is the trade reprint being issued later this year.

    • March 23, 2017 at 6:43 am
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      “-even just using the Rebels animation for legal reasons- with all the clone wars voice actors.”

      Luckily, I doubt that would be necessary.

      I would also love if those remaining arcs were animated, and I agree that those 5 arcs that you outlined are pretty essential pieces of information.

  • March 22, 2017 at 10:30 pm
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    This was another pretty solid comic. I enjoyed the first issue quite a bit. I hope that Palpatine and Cad Bane continue to have consistent roles in this series.

    • March 23, 2017 at 1:50 am
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      Cad Bane is one of my all-time favorite SW characters.

    • March 23, 2017 at 12:09 pm
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      Come to think of it, this could actually be the story where they meet and get their professional relationship started.

      • March 23, 2017 at 9:40 pm
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        I was thinking the same thing when he showed up. Maul gets his hand slapped, Palps gets a new lackey.

  • March 23, 2017 at 12:28 pm
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    Great issue. Loved the art and especially all the familiar aliens and ships. In one panel alone we get a Corona saucer, an YT-2400, YV-666 (Bossk!!), a Lady Luck look-a-like (dare you to say it fast five times in a row) and more.

    Also the Padawan’s stance looks to be a copy of Jan Ors’ stance in the original Dark Forces.

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