Evil alliances! Darth Maul operates from the shadows, carrying out Mother Talzin’s plan for revenge against Darth Sidious.
After capturing General Grievous and Count Dooku, Maul threatens to render Sidious’s droid army leaderless and ineffective. As this power struggle gains the Republic’s attention, the Jedi—led by Obi-Wan Kenobi—boldly attempt to capture all of their enemies at once and end the Clone Wars.
As the Jedi attack, Dooku frees Grievous and joins forces with Maul. Together they escape capture and chart their course for Dathomir, where Talzin awaits them…
Writer Jeremy Barlow, penciller Juan Frigeri, Inker Mauro Vargas, colourist Wes Dzioba, letter Michael Heisler and cover artist Chris Scalf bring us the fourth and final issue of Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir.
The Review
“Seizing control is much easier than maintaining it”
The fourth and final issue of Son of Dathomir starts out right where we left it. Maul and Dooku have left the Mandalorian asteroid base, and Maul is conferring with the various factions of the Shadow Collective, who are antsy and want money. Maul is able to placate them, but it is obvious that he needs to initiate his plan fast if he is to keep the Black Sun and Pyke Alliances. Speaking of alliances, the Dooku-Maul one ends as abruptly as it began, with Maul demonstrating his big brain; by knowing Dooku’s presence there is the will of Sidious. It’s a little anti-climactic to see their partnership dissolve so fast, as it would have been interesting to see the two talk and pick each other’s brains about- well about anything. However, it’s all good for the progression of the story.
Some great moments are shown in this final issue. Sidious rides in style in a Sith Infiltrator (is it Maul’s old one?) and is physically in the same room as Grievous. I don’t think that has ever happened before, and though minor minutiae in the scheme of things, it got me pretty excited to see; equivalent to a wolverine meeting a polar bear for the first time.
Then we have the showdown to end all showdowns. Maul vs Grievous, and Sidious vs a Talzin- possessed Count Dooku. Sidious isn’t deterred by this, however, and Talzin returns to her true form to deal with the Dark Lord herself.
It is a fierce battle, and the comic portrays the Force lightning struggle beautifully. When all is said and done, some characters fall and some escape. Only the future will tell, what it means for the survivors.
It was as I said, an action packed issue, yet I cannot help but feel it was a little bit of a letdown. I expected more of a struggle, and more answers to the fate of a certain red-skinned Zabrak…
For more Jedi News comic reviews click here.