Published by: Marvel Comics
Released on: April 26, 2017
Rating: T
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Luke Ross
Cover Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
The Synopsis
An evil crime syndicate is auctioning off a Jedi Padawan…that Darth Maul plans to take – and kill – for his own. Featuring: a band of bounty hunters including Cad Bane and Aurra Sing!
The Plot
In the previous issue, a gangster called Xev Xrexus gathered the most dangerous crime bosses in the galaxy to participate in a nefarious action to purchase the Jedi Padawan Eldra Kaitis. Little does Xrexus know, Darth Maul has infiltrated the auction. With a group of bounty hunters – including Cad Bane and Aurra Sing – Maul plans on purchasing or kidnapping the Padawan, and then killing her, in order to satiate his desire for vengeance against the Jedi. But Darth Sidious has forbidden Maul from interacting with the Jedi. Maul operates in secrecy, knowing that he will face severe punishment if Sidious discovers his disobedience.
The comic begins with Maul observing the Padawan, who is trapped behind a ray shield. This is what Maul has waited for. The Sith glares at Kaitis, not saying a word. In a surprising display of confidence the Padawan says, “Well? Are you planning on saying something? Anything? Or are you just going to stand there?” Maul ignites his red lightsaber, savouring the moment when her defiance melts away. As cold fear uncoils within the padawan she asks, “Who…what are you?” Despite her question, she knows who Maul is. She knows that the Sith have returned. Maul’s floating droids return to him, warning of danger.
The profiteering gangster, Xev Xrexus, arrives, flanked by modified droideka bodyguards. Tutting, she tells Maul that he is not allowed here, that it is strictly off limits. Maul apologises: “My actions were rash, I know. But I simply had to see the Padawan firsthand before the auction began.” Xrexus agrees that his actions were rash. “My other guests would be oh-so-disappointed if they knew that one of the other bidders was afforded some privilege they were not. And I don’t think anyone would want to disappoint clientele of this calibre. It’s simply bad for business” she tells Maul.
The gangster goes on to ask Maul who he is. Maul tells her that his name is Seris Madreth and that he represents the Haddrex Consortium. Xrexus laughs at his use of the word consortium, saying that the organisation is really a gang. Xev and Maul come to an agreement to keep this whole incident quiet so that any unpleasantness can be avoided. “Just make sure it doesn’t happen again. I would so hate to vaporize you. But my forgiving nature has its limits” warns the gangster.
Maul returns to his ship realising that he must have patience. He believes that if Sidious knew about his plans he would find them amusing. Maul’s cadre of bounty hunters are waiting inside the ship. They have managed to force the stolen droid Fee-Bee to comply. The droid reveals that their hope of placing the winning bid is barely worth mentioning. “My former masters had no intention of purchasing the Jedi Padawan. They hoped to raid the auction…take the padawan…and then rob the other guests while they were at it” says Fee-Bee. Cad Bane believes that such an idea is too messy. Aurra Sing finds the plan amusing, saying that the Haddrex Gang were stupid but fun. Bane knows that that is not Maul’s sort of gambit. Maul wants to get away clean, without leaving too many variables. Tek-Tek asks the droid to revisit its calculations: they want to know who will win the auction.
As Maul walks through the auction hall, anxiousness, anger and hatred flow through him strong enough that those around him, even those who do not use the force, can feel it, an unseen burgeoning menace swelling all around them. For someone like Eldra Kaitis, the feeling must be overwhelming. Maul imagines her sitting in her cell, nearly drowning in her own dread. Despite his plans he wants to unleash his fury, to slaughter everyone on the station as he cuts his way to his prey. Darth Sidious trained him to act. In denying Maul’s nature he betrays him. And so Maul betrays him, his dreaded master, by being here. If Maul is caught, his punishment will be severe. If Sidious were to kill him he would be denied his right: his chance to kill the hated Jedi. Maul must give his plan time to unfold. In this way, he is more like his master than he realises.
Xev Xrexus arrives on stage and the auction proceedings begin. The bidding starts at 500,000 unmarked credits. The bids go up and up until Jee Kra, a moogan, emerges as the winner, offering 2.5 million credits for the padawan.
Meanwhile, Maul’s bounty hunters take over Jee Kra’s ship, setting up an ambush for the auction winner. Kra heads back to his ship with the padawan and her lightsaber. Eldra Kaitis, as confident as ever, says, “Careful with that lightsaber. I’d hate to see you burn your own face off with it. Jee Kra and his escort arrive at his ship, and are surprised to see Maul and his bounty hunters waiting there for them.
“Is it possible that you actually thought you might get away with this? Did you truly believe you could you just purchase a Jedi Padawan and walk away without repercussions? Did you think I would allow such a transgression?” Maul seethes. Using the force, Maul shuts the ship’s door, trapping everyone inside. In another display of force skill, Maul takes his cloak off and uses it to constrict Jee Kra, killing him. Padawan Kaitis realises that Maul is using the force. Using acrobatics, Maul takes out all of Jee Kra’s guards.
Kaitis suddenly understand who Maul is, but before she can reveal anything Maul cuts her off. “You know nothing! Nothing about who I am! Nothing about what I want!”
“I know I’m not afraid of you. I know you’re trying to hide who you really are from the scum you’re working with. Even while you were fighting just now. Despite all the jumping and kicking, what you really wanted to use was…” Maul picks up the Padawan’s lightsaber and she remains silent. The Sith Lord instructs Bane to get the ship into space before they are discovered.
He then takes Eldra Kaitis to another room, where he throws her against the wall. Now that they are alone, Eldra asks Maul whether he is a Sith. Maul replies by saying that the Sith are real and that he is the Jedi’s nightmares made flesh. The Padawan argues with Maul, saying that he is the one who is scared; Maul is the one who is hiding in the shadows. Maul begins to repeat his mantra: “Far above, far below. We don’t know where we’ll fall. Far above, far below. What once was great is rendered small.” Kaitis remarks that it is not the time for nursery rhymes. She proposes that they fight as equals in lightsaber combat. Angrily, Maul replies, “You are not my equal! No Jedi can match my skill, my fury, my righteousness! And—trust me, my dear—I will cut you free. I will hand you this lightsaber. And then I will have my revenge.”
Maul’s new ship flies away from the space station up into space. In the cockpit, Cad Bane and Aurra Sing discuss the fact that they may have to kill Maul if they are to get away with their money. Meanwhile, Tek-Tek and Vorhdeilo are on carcass duty in the hold of the ship, disposing of the dead moogans. Maul’s probe droids are buzzing round their heads, trying to warn the two bounty hunters of something. Fee-Bee translates the probes garbled language. It appears that there is a bomb onboard the ship.
Xev Xrexus watches on as Maul’s ship is shot out of the sky. The ball of fire plunges straight for a moon below. Xev Xrexus informs her clients that the hunt for the Padawan will begin shortly, with a by-in of 350,000 credits of course.
The Review
This issue was as brilliant as all the others before it. The art was as good as ever, capturing Maul’s expressions of anger and rage very well.
The commentary that Maul gives inside his head is really growing on me, and I loved the moment when he realises how similar he is to his master, Darth Sidious.
The character of Xev Xrexus is proving to an effective ‘villain’ for Maul to go up against, as she continues to outwit him. She is very calm and professional throughout all here dealings, and you can see how she rose to such power.
The fight scene between Maul and the moogans was really well done. I am enjoying seeing Maul fighting without his lightsaber, as he tries to conceal his identity as a Sith. His method of constriction using his robe was a unique and clever way of using the force in combat.
The ending of this issue surprised me and set up the next issue very well.
However, this issue was not perfect. Eldra Kaitis seemed a little too overconfident. Compared to Maul’s brilliantly drawn facial expressions hers seemed a little off. I suppose the Jedi were overconfident in this era because they had not faced a worthy enemy for almost 1000 years. Also, I thought Maul’s use of the phrase ‘my dear’ was out of character.
I loved the cover for this issue as it showcased all the bounty hunters. I especially liked the look of Cad Bane on this cover.
