STAR WARS: DARTH MAUL

When Darth Maul was first introduced in the previews and ads for Phantom Menace, he seemed a very imposing figure. His name and appearance led one to believe he would be a villain in the vein of Darth Vader. But in the movie, he ultimately showed little depth as a character -- he was more image than substance. Unfortunately this book falls into that same pattern. The artwork by Luke Ross and the coloring by Nolan Woodard makes the work visually stunning. Just as in the film, Maul out as a visually imposing character. The work that Ross puts into his facial expressions and eyes help convey his seething anger throughout. And while the storyline isn't bad, it's just not terribly interesting and it does little to provide more depth or history to Maul's character.The events of the book take place before Phantom Menace. Darth Maul is eager to test himself against a Jedi -- to engage in a real battle that will both allow him to demonstrate his prowess as well as to exact vengeance on behalf of the Sith who came before him and were eliminated by the Jedi. He finds an opportunity to do just that when he learns the Xev Xrexus, leader of an underworld cartel, has captured a Jedi padawan and plans to auction the apprentice off to the highest bidder. Maul engages the services of a group of bounty hunters to aid him in his quest and works secretly to ensure his master, Darth Sidious, does not discover his plans as he feels his master would disapprove and forbid him from undertaking the task. As one would expect, Maul encounters some hiccups to his best laid plans that require all of his Sith training to overcome.Overall, the book is a mixed bag. As mentioned, the artwork is impressive -- perhaps the most detailed of any of Marvel's Star Wars books. The story is somewhat interesting and well-paced, but it ultimately feels as if Marvel missed an opportunity to flesh out Maul's character with this book. Marvel's Star Wars comics are now considered part of the canon of Star Wars, so they have the ability to pursue storylines that add depth to characters or flesh out side missions that would clearly not make it to the film series. Darth Maul is one of those characters that needs additional backstory -- who is he really? Why does he feel such connection to the Sith? What drives his need for vengeance? Unfortunately this book barely scratches the surface of many of those questions. His character post Phantom Menace is fleshed out a bit more in cartoons and other works that are part of the canon, but this was an opportunity for Marvel to better establish the menacing figure prior to the events of the first movie and they came up a bit short.

Really tapped into the mindset of a Sith & gave Maul a goal & ambition that gave his time in Phantom Menace more substance. Maul killing Qui-Gon is a lot more rewarding after this read, considering this entire book is about Maul’s hunger to not only kill a Jedi, but one that is worthy of a true challenge. Even more interesting was the fact that Maul admired the sith-like fighting style & energy of the padawan, making his defeat at the hands of Obi-Wan more interesting; Obi-Wan used a sith-style technique to defeat Maul (slicing him in half), which is frowned upon by the Jedi. We are now led to believe that Maul must’ve appreciated this defeat, for he is allowed the pleasure of witnessing a Jedi tap into their Sith nature. I also liked the chemistry between Maul & Cad Bane (you can never tell when one is going to turn on the other). The padawan also gave off an Ashoka vibe, which was appreciated. Very good story, very will written. 5 out of 5 stars :)

Marvel’s “Star Wars: Darth Maul” collects issues no. 1-5 of “Darth Maul,” written by Cullen Bunn with art by Luke Ross, colors by Nolan Woodard, and letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna. It also features the brief story, “The Droid Problem,” written and illustrated by Chris Eliopoulos with colors by Jordie Bellaire. The main story takes place sometime before “The Phantom Menace” and focuses on Maul seeking out a captured Jedi Padawan, Eldra Kaitis, in order to battle her and sate his bloodlust. Darth Sidious trained him to become a force of rage and hatred, but Maul lacks patience and strategy at this point. Bunn writes Maul’s inner monologue to convey Maul’s single-minded quest to fight the Jedi, regardless of the careful plans Sidious has in set in motion. This plus Maul’s impatience in the final duel of “Phantom Menace” contrasts with Maul’s later appearances in “The Clone Wars” and “Rebels” in which he learned the wisdom of patience and strategy. This also shows Maul working with Aurra Sing and Cad Bane, though he hides his Sith identity from them. While the three do not partner together again, they all play significant roles in “The Clone Wars” and “Rebels” (except for Sing, who died sometime between “Revenge of the Sith” and “Solo”). The story resembles other non-canonical prequel stories of Maul before “The Phantom Menace,” such as Ron Marz and Jan Duursema’s 4-issue “Star Wars: Darth Maul” limited series from Dark Horse, Michael Reaves’ “Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter” novel, and Joe Schreiber’s “Maul: Lockdown” novel. Bunn’s story fills the gap in the canon left by Disney’s decision to move the aforementioned works to “Legends” status. Fans of Maul will find it a worthy entry in his story. This volume concludes with Eliopoulos’s “Droid Problem,” a cute story, almost jarringly so after the main narrative, but fun in its way. Marvel’s “Star Wars: Darth Maul” is well worth fans taking the time to read it.

Short Review:Pretty good art and fights, fairly pointless story, adds character to a very silent one.Long Review:This is on the high-end of the new canon for Star Wars comics, but it’s not at the top. My main problem with the Disney comics so far is that some stories are just pointless and don’t add anything new(Chewbacca:Chewbacca saves an oppressed planet from slavery/obiwan and Anakin:obiwan and Anakin save a planet from war/Lando double or nothing:Lando saves an oppressed planet from slavery) they’re so pointless that unless you like seeing the character because they’re that character, you won’t get much out of them. This comic does give us something new, an inner dialogue to a completely silent character(not counting the clone wars tv show). We see Darth Mauls thoughts, and the emotions he’s built up prior to phantom menace. The story would be pointless but it does set maul up as a killing machine for phantom menace where as most of the miniseries add absolutely nothing to the story.

The comic does a great job at showing a more immature Maul, one who has not yet had the taste of vengeance that he learns to refine more by the Phantom Menace and the Clone Wars. Here, he is driven solely by his anger and lust for vengeance. I thought the author portrays this well and clearly through Maul's narration, but Bunn also gives reasons for why he chases revenge, as well as showing that Maul is misguided. The story is fairly simple, but the bounty hunters and protagonist and make it more fun than it would be with others.While this isn't necessary or revolutionary in the Star Wars Universe, it's a good story for Maul.

This was a good little vignette (there’s also a bonus scene that happens during the events of Phantom Menace about some droids, but it’s not really worth it). Striking drawing and I liked having a little of Darth Maul’s backstory - he’s a pretty fun character! Not very easy to read on a tablet as it doesn’t move from frame to frame, meaning you have to zoom in and out all. The. Time.Can’t really complain with the price though - good ‘read’ for a distraction if you like the Star Wars universe.

Found this one a bit hit and miss. Whilst I enjoyed the story, i found the way Maul was written a bit strange.The problem with having a 'bad guy' as the main character is that they try to make you pull for him but I feel some of his ruthlessness gets lost in the writing.

I was happy with this being delivered on time and all but I think this comic was great. It has great characters, awesome art and its star wars canon. Give it a read.

10 out 10