Star Wars: Shadow Of Maul #5 (Marvel Comics)
Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 5th & FINAL 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. Maul is ready to put his plan into action! So is Janix ready? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics // Star Wars: Shadow Of Maul #5 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 really did a fantastic job with the story in this issue and leading it into season 1 of the show. It’s not a direct entry into the series, in that I mean it does not end the series right in the same scene where the show begins. However it does add a lot of depth to the animated series that gives it some very interesting layers to the story overall that is told in season 1.
Percy really took the characters we were introduced to during season 1 and added some incredible layers of depth to them. Season 1 of the show was already fantastic in it’s own right, but adding this prequel series to it really takes it to the next level and make’s me want to go back and rewatch season 1 to see if I see things in a new light.
The issue really excels at setting things up beautifully for the series, and closing the chapter on this portion of the story. It dot’s all the i’s and crosses all the t’s while also setting the tone for the series in such a wonderful way. Percy also did a great job setting the overall setting for the planet Janix than I think the series did, again I have to go back and rewatch to be sure but that’s the feeling I’m getting at the end of this series.
Ultimately this might be the best prequel series I’ve ever read. It adds such incredible depth to the television series that it should be required reading for anyone who’s seen the show.
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 is truly some of the best in the business and is truly masterful to see on the page. 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
A masterpiece of storytelling from Benjamin Percy that is among some of the best Star Wars comics right now! This is a series you do not want to pass up on! Together with artwork that is stunning, you cannot go wrong picking this issue up!
