Star Wars Just Revealed 8 Details About Darth Vader, Paplatine & the Sith (#2 Is a Prequels Retcon)

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A new Star Wars story focusing on Darth Vader has revealed eight surprising details about the Sith, highlighting how valuable it is to expand the Star Wars universe beyond just the films. While many consider Star Wars primarily a movie franchise, it’s always been much larger. Interestingly, the novelization of the first film – actually written by Alan Dean Foster – was released before the movie itself. This early version was the first place Darth Vader was called a “Dark Lord of the Sith,” a term that wouldn’t appear on screen until The Phantom Menace.

As a huge film fan, I’ve always loved how stories can expand beyond the screen, and that’s what’s so great about transmedia. It’s amazing how different mediums can add layers to characters and ideas we think we already know. Adam Christopher’s new Star Wars novel, Master of Evil, is a perfect example. It takes place right after Revenge of the Sith and really dives into Darth Vader’s early days as an apprentice. And trust me, it uncovers some seriously surprising secrets about the Sith!

Red Is the Color of the Sith

Sith are famous for their red lightsabers, which are made by corrupting a kyber crystal with intense anger and hatred. However, a new source suggests red isn’t just a result of this process – it’s actually the traditional color of the Sith. This is a surprising discovery, especially considering that many Republic ships in the prequel movies were also painted red.

Palpatine Didn’t Even TRY To Hide Himself From the Jedi

The idea of the Sith having a signature color might seem like a minor detail, but it actually changes how we understand Palpatine’s plan. It suggests Darth Sidious wasn’t trying to conceal his identity from the Jedi at all. As shown in E.K. Johnston’s novel, Queen’s Shadow, Palpatine even predicted what Chancellor Valorum’s office would look like in red and then deliberately decorated his own office that way when he took over. He embraced red as his signature color, even outfitting his personal guards in red robes.

You know, Luke Skywalker always said Palpatine’s arrogance was his downfall, and it’s true he was pretty blatant about being a Sith right in front of the Jedi. But what’s fascinating, and really comes out in Matt Stover’s novelization of Revenge of the Sith, is that the Jedi knew they were already beaten if he was truly a Sith Lord. Instead of facing that terrifying reality, they basically hoped it wasn’t true, and that denial ultimately sealed their fate. It wasn’t just overconfidence on Palpatine’s part; it was the Jedi’s refusal to acknowledge the truth that really did them in.

Palpatine Had Transported Force Vergences Before Lothal

The final episode of Star Wars Rebels featured a shocking reveal: Palpatine had secretly moved pieces of the Lothal Temple onto Grand Admiral Thrawn’s ship, the Chimaera. This temple was special because it was a point where the Force was unusually strong, and could potentially open a path to the World Between Worlds – a strange and powerful dimension that Palpatine desired. It was unexpected to see Palpatine move something like the temple, as these powerful locations were previously thought to be tied to a specific place.

The story reveals Palpatine had previously moved a powerful dark side location, known as a vergence, before the events in “Master of Evil.” He had also tasked Count Dooku with relocating the Temple of Diso, and it seems this wasn’t the first time he’d done so. It’s interesting to think that Palpatine was secretly collecting these dark side locations, studying them in secret where the Jedi wouldn’t find out.

Star Wars Finally Reveals What Padmé Looked Like As a Sith

Anakin constantly feared Padmé would turn to the dark side and become a Sith, despite all evidence to the contrary. The series, “Master of Evil,” now shows us what Padmé might have looked like as a Sith Lord, as Darth Vader experiences a vision of her while within a powerful Force nexus.

Padmé’s smile faded as she lowered her head, glaring at Vader with narrowed, piercing yellow eyes – the gaze of a Sith Lord. Her white robes turned dark, the inner light fading to gray and then disappearing completely, leaving her cloaked in shadow. Small red and green lights blinked on her chest and waist as a dark cloak spread from her shoulders, concealing her. She then lifted Darth Vader’s mask and placed it over her own head. A hissing sound indicated the airtight seal, followed by a high-pitched whine as the life support system adjusted to the pressure.

She took several slow, steady breaths, sounding remarkably like the mechanical breathing of Darth Vader.

Darth Vader Has a New Sith Title

Star Wars has given Darth Vader a new title that completely contrasts with the ideals of his former self, Anakin Skywalker. While C-3PO affectionately called Anakin “the Maker” because he was built by him, a powerful figure now officially refers to Darth Vader as “the Great Unmaker.” This title highlights Vader’s role as a destroyer, eliminating the Jedi and their history. Ironically, Vader would eventually become the “Great Unmaker” of the Sith themselves by turning against his master, Darth Sidious.

Anakin Skywalker & Darth Vader Would Always Be Equally Matched

Star Wars fans have long argued about whether Anakin Skywalker was stronger than Darth Vader, with some believing Vader’s mechanical parts held him back. A recent story, “Master of Evil,” offers a surprising answer: it depicts a confrontation between Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker within a powerful Force phenomenon, and they prove to be equals.

The fight goes on and on, with no clear end in sight. Darth Vader is a master swordsman, incredibly skilled in duels, but this young opponent is somehow able to meet every attack. The young man’s dark Jedi robes billow as he expertly dodges, blocks, and counters, relentlessly pushing forward while simultaneously defending against Vader’s powerful strikes. The cycle continues endlessly.

The duel is an even match. There will be no winner, no loser.

There cannot be.”

Count Dooku Planned to Betray Palpatine Too

In Revenge of the Sith, Count Dooku acted surprised by Palpatine’s betrayal, despite the fact that betrayal is common among the Sith. According to the book “Master of Evil,” Dooku actually intended to betray Palpatine himself, but he assumed Palpatine wouldn’t betray him because he believed he was an essential apprentice. However, Dooku misjudged the situation, failing to recognize that Palpatine valued Anakin Skywalker more.

The Rule of Two Works Very Differently to What You Thought

The Star Wars universe has changed its established history regarding the Sith Rule of Two, now presenting it as the very source of a Sith Lord’s strength. This revelation is just one of many discoveries Darth Vader makes while experiencing a unique connection to the Force.

The dark side holds a genuine power, but it’s meant to be kept hidden. Its knowledge isn’t meant for sharing – it’s for personal gain and control. A master draws strength from the anger and fear of their student, taking that negative energy and using it to increase their own power and dominance over the dark side. Ultimately, the student is what empowers the master, not the other way around.

A Sith Lord relies on their apprentice as a source of power. This explains why Palpatine sought out the Chosen One – a more powerful apprentice would make him even stronger. It likely explains why Palpatine had trouble fighting Mace Windu without an apprentice, but was a match for Yoda when he had one.

“Master of Evil” is on sale now, and can be bought on Amazon.

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2025-11-18 00:43