Comic Review: Darth Maul: Black, White and Red #2 (of 4)

Last month saw the beginning of this limited series focused on Darth Maul. This is the second series of its type for Star Wars. The first, Darth Vader: Black, White and Red, was incredible and had three different tales in each issue. ForDarth Maul, the format is different, it’s one story per issue. While as readers we don’t get to see the breadth that we did in Darth Vader, it gives writers and artists a whole issue to really delve into a story. In principle this is fantastic but as the first issue demonstrated, this still isn’t enough if you have a great team working on the issue! For the second issue we have writer Mark Russell and artist Carlos Nieto. This is Russell’s first-time tackling Star Wars, but he will be no stranger to Marvel fans, having worked on Avengers, Blade, Fantastic Four, the list is endless! Nieto also has worked on numerous Marvel comics, usually ones of a darker nature, like Scarlett Witch and Ghost Rider. He has an incredible style that I’m really looking forward to seeing how it translates to a galaxy far, far away. Together they are bringing us the story ‘The Remainders’, let us see what they bring to the legend that is Darth Maul.

The namesake of the story is given to a group that live on the colony of Moonbender. The idea behind this group is fanatic. They are ex bounty hunters, mercenaries, guns for hire, people who have fought in battles, good in combat and are all that are left of their different groups. Hence the name. Most of all, they are survivors who have been placed on this colony to try and readjust to ‘normal’ life. Before the story even really begins, you can almost guess why a Darth Maul story would be set here. This sort of group really helps to set the atmosphere. You cannot get away from the Alien/Aliens feel, of this mish-mash group almost feeling like the army group that are sent to the colony in Aliens. And it is that atmosphere that keeps seeping its way into the issue the further you go in. For me, as a lover of this other franchise, this was a huge appeal. It’s dark, the narration over the top of the action, it creates that eerie feel that works so well with a character like Darth Maul.

The main character is Doctor Korvik, he is our guide through the story, and it is his point of view we see things unfold. Maul must be used sporadically for him to really work and Russell knows this, hence having the story told form another character’s point of view. Korvik – and his droid Bennie – are really likeable right from the start. Korvik has a calming nature, the tone of his (written) voice is almost soothing amongst the chaos that unfolds in this issue. We don’t really know much about him, neither do we really need to, yet I can’t help but wonder at his life previously. I think it shows how skilled Russell is to create such a likeable character so quickly that readers can relate to within moments. It means when the inevitable happens, it pulls at the emotions. In some ways it is a shame, I would love to see more works involving Korvik.

When Maul arrives – well – we know it means doom. What is great to see if the inhabitant’s reactions. They believe in themselves, and each other, and have no fear that they will be able to take Maul down. I love seeing their confidence getting slowly taken apart panel by panel, as they realise that Maul is something entirely different. There is a reason Maul has been sent here, these people offer him a real challenge. It is this that is perhaps the most fascinating in this issue. Maul is just prepared to charge in, almost like a blunt weapon. But these aren’t inexperienced people; they know what they’re doing. The issue quickly shifts from Aliens to Alien, with Maul having to take a much more careful approach, at one point even moving around in the air ducts. It just ups the suspense in the issue and it really is a pleasure to read.

It is here I must mention the art by Nieto. The story by Russell I really, really like, yet it wouldn’t work without the artwork by Nieto. He captures the story brilliantly. From Maul’s entrance to the colony, which the panel is superb, to the combat, which really moves in such a fluid way, it all works so well. What is my favourite of it all is Maul’s facial expressions. You can see when Maul is surprised, angry, when he is being pushed out of his comfort zone. Without this, you wouldn’t understand the strain that this encounter is having on him, you wouldn’t feel the effort that Maul is having to put into it. Just looking at his face when the colonists use the magnetic seal on him is priceless and sums up how brilliantly Nieto has drawn this work. It is clean, crisp and really suits this story. I also want to mention the use of red as it is used rarely. I think this just adds even more to the atmosphere of the whole story and I love the restraint behind it.

Maul starts the issue thinking he is after something. I don’t think this line is fooling any reader, but it certainly fools Maul. He believes his master needs something, when in reality it is more training for Maul. This isn’t the first time something like this has been done in comics, going back to the Dark Horse Comics days, yet I don’t think I will ever get tired of it. It shows just how much Darth Sidious underestimates Maul, never uses him to his full potential and sees him more as a weapon than a true apprentice of the Sith.

I was a bit unsure how Russell and Nieto would top the amazing first issue of this series, yet I can certainly say they have. This is an incredible read. It really creates an atmospheric story that perfectly suits Darth Maul. It leans on Alien/Aliens and in doing so is able to elevate the masterful storytelling even more. I mentioned that we’ve seen Maul tested like this before, but we haven’t seen it written or drawn quite like this. This is a superb story, with a superb location, superb context and superb artwork. You might be getting the impression I’ve enjoyed this – at least I hope you are. This feels like Star Wars with an edge and has a great pacing to it. The new characters are ones that you immediately like and want to see more of – well, if circumstances ended differently. This certainly raises the bar for the rest of the series, as well as for other Darth Maul stories in general. I can’t recommend this issue enough to reader. Do I want more? You better believe I do and I’m really hoping both Russell and Nieto can find themselves back in a galaxy far, far way – they’ve earned that right!