Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #1 Is a Near-Perfect Primer for Disney’s New Show (Review)

by

Darth Maul is a hugely popular character in the Star Wars universe. He instantly captivated fans when he appeared on the cover of Time Magazine before the release of Star Wars: Episode One: The Phantom Menace – even though that movie wasn’t a favorite for everyone. Though he seemingly died at the end of The Phantom Menace, Maul returned in Star Wars: The Clone Wars and has since made appearances in Star Wars: Rebels, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and various comic books. After a long wait, fans are finally getting more of the complex Sith Lord in live-action, and Disney+ is releasing a series about him. To prepare for the series, Marvel is publishing a prequel comic.

Darth Maul remains a standout villain in the Star Wars universe, and the first issue of Star Wars: Shadow of Maul delivers classic Star Wars excitement. While Darth Maul himself doesn’t appear extensively, the comic is packed with thrilling action and features beautiful artwork from Benjamin Percy, Madibek Musabekov, and Luis Guerrero. It’s a great example of why Marvel’s Star Wars comics are so enjoyable.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Pros Cons
A cool story that digs into the seedier side of the Star Wars Universe Needed more Darth Maul
The art is fantastic and the best part of a great comic
Percy knows how to tell a gritty, police story in the galaxy far, far away like he’s been doing it his whole life

Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #1 Shows Why Percy Is One of Marvel’s Best Current Writers

For years, Benjamin Percy has been a hidden gem at Marvel. He started with the comic book version of the Wolverine: The Long Night podcast, which quickly led to him writing the main Wolverine series. His impressive five-year run on both Wolverine and X-Force – without either series being restarted – established him as a master of Marvel’s darker characters. After tackling Star Wars: Darth Maul: Black, White, & Red #1, it’s clear he excels at writing iconic characters, whether they’re from the Marvel or Star Wars universes.

Don’t expect a lot of classic Darth Maul in this issue – you’ll be let down if that’s what you’re hoping for. However, you will get a solid Star Wars adventure. The story begins with Captain Brander Lawson being questioned about a recent case, then quickly takes us to the gritty planet Janix. We follow Lawson and his droid, Two Boots, as they investigate a smuggling operation. This comic is a really well-done crime story; the writer clearly knows the genre. It’s full of unexpected twists, Lawson is a likable character, and the action is thrilling. The issue ends perfectly, setting up the next part of the story in a clever way.

Madibek Musabekov’s Art Is the Best Part of an Awesome Comic

Since Disney acquired Marvel, one of the highlights has been seeing talented artists work on Star Wars comics. While the initial years featured top-tier artists, the quality of art has generally declined over time, as Marvel hasn’t consistently hired the best creators. However, the new comic Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #1 is a clear exception. Artist Madibek Musabekov delivers fantastic work from the very beginning and maintains that high level throughout the entire issue.

Musabekov’s work is truly excellent across the board. The comic feels like a high-quality Star Wars production, with compelling characters and stunning art. While reminiscent of Salvador Larocca’s style on Star Wars: Darth Vader, it feels more original. The action sequences are breathtaking, he perfectly captures the story’s mood, and the level of detail is incredible. He’s a very talented artist, and his skills really elevate an already great book.

Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #1 truly captures the spirit of Star Wars. The author, Percy, creates a compelling character in Lawson and expertly crafts the gritty, exciting atmosphere fans expect. The artwork by Musabekov is fantastic, and Percy clearly collaborates well with artists. While I would have enjoyed seeing more of Darth Maul, this is the kind of Star Wars story that will definitely please fans.

Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #1 is on sale now.

https://comicbook.com/movies/list/all-9-major-star-wars-characters-recast-in-the-franchise-so-far/embed/#

Read More

2026-03-04 17:12