Star Wars: Shadow Of Maul #4 (Marvel Comics)
Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 4th issue of Star Wars: Shadow Of Maul from Marvel Comics!
Darth Maul is on the loose, and he’s working in the shadows trying to build his empire. So just how exactly does a pod race factor into those plans? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics // Star Wars: Shadow Of Maul #4 by Benjamin Percy (Writer), Madibek Musabekov (Artist), Luis Guerrero (Color Artist), VC’s Joe Caramanga (Letterer) & Derrick Chew (Cover Artist)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
Benjamin Percy is really telling a fascinating story with this series because it’s a prequel for a series that’s already finished it’s first season. We’ve seen some characters show up that we know what is going to happen to them in the near future, and we’re also getting to see just what the set up is for where the series started.
Percy really took the story in this issue in a really fascinating direction because I was not expecting podracing to make an appearance in this series. It’s not the focus however and is more so the backdrop for the story being told which is great. While podracing is illegal in the galaxy, Janix is technically not under Imperial control so it’s able to take place. Brander Lawson is watching the action from up high.
What unfolds is a story that reminded me of the 2001 version of Ocean’s 11. Everything is not what it seems and just when you think you have it figured out a new layer. You really get a sense of the deepening mystery surrounding the events, and it also reminded me a bit of the mystery we saw in the build up during the prequels. In the same way the Jedi weren’t sure what the evil was that was persistent and lurking in the shadows, Lawson gets a similar feeling and he can’t figure out who it is.
Ultimately the issue ends in mystery and a sense of a larger, deeper mystery lurking in the shadows. Lawson might be starting to realize just how deep things go and only time will tell if he’s ready.
The Artwork
Madibek Musabekov & Luis Guerrero incredible job with the artwork continues in this issue. Their ability capturing the look & likeness of the characters who appear in the animated series in a near perfect way is truly masterful. The artwork matches the tone of the story with it’s chaos but it still has the crisp style readers will be used to. Madibek & Luis really do a great job matching the mystery you get throughout the issue.
Overall Grade: 9/10
Benjamin Percy does a fantastic job exploring a time in Maul’s story that’s still relatively unknown. If you’re a fan of Darth Maul this series is required reading!
