Darth Maul is one of those Star Wars characters that I have always been fascinated with but feel like doesn’t get enough credit, screen time, or love outside the die-hard fanbase. With the new animated series coming to streaming in April, it is fitting to dive into the prelude series Star Wars: Shadow of Maul to get us ready. Penned by Benjamin Percy and illustrated by Madibek Musabekov, Shadow of Maul expands the Star Wars universe while giving us fans more of what we want…Darth Maul.
Welcome to Janix, a neon-lit, shadow-soaked maze of a planet that lies beyond the reach of the Empire. Captain Brander Lawson is doing his best to navigate the law in a lawless territory. He’s joined by his partner, a droid nicknamed Two Boots, as they face off against scheming crime bosses… and as the looming threat of the shadow lord, Maul, nears.
Percy crafts a tale that is such a Star Wars story. I know that sounds like a stupid comment to make, but I have read stories in the past that have the title on the book, but don’t give off the vibes you want when diving into this universe. Percy introduces us to a fantastic new character in Captain Brander Lawson, places us in a space that oozes Star Wars vibes, and lays the foundation for a Darth Maul story that will grip us and not let go.
What Percy does best in this premiere issues was keeping Maul in the shadows, like the comic’s namesake, instead of opening up on the first panel with the Sith Lord. He builds tension and unease throughout the first issue, making every page turn worthwhile and grows the anticipation until the moment Maul appears. This made for a balanced and more suspenseful read than I had expected.
The story itself is built upon by the fantastic artwork by Musabekov. The artist gives us a visualization of Janix, the neon-lit, shadow-soaked maze of a planet that lies beyond the reach of the Empire. The vibe of Star Wars bleeds from pages of Star Wars: Shadow of Maul, making for a comic that blends perfectly into the galaxy far, far away.
Star Wars: Shadow of Maul is an incredible and suspenseful addition to the Star Wars universe by Benjamin Percy with stellar illustrations from Madibek Musabekov. The creative team nails the Star Wars vibe and gives us so much to look forward to in the rest of the series. A great prelude to the upcoming television series.
Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #1 hit local comic shops on March 4, 2026 from Marvel Comics.
Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #1 Preview
