Darth Maul #3 Review

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Darth Maul locates the Padawan, but his adventure is far from complete.

This article discusses the plot of Darth Maul #3.

Darth Maul #3

Writer: Cullen Bunn | Artist: Luke Ross | Colors: Nolan Woodard | Cover Artist: Rod Reis | Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna | Assistant Editor: Heather Antos | Editor: Jordan D. White

Maul’s Unfulfilled Need

If there was a question why Darth Sidious did not lament Darth Maul’s loss, Darth Maul #3 provides a clue as to the answer. The Sith apprentice has rounded up a team of bounty hunters and headed to the palace of Xev Xrexus. Maul desired a Padawan, Eldra Kaitis, Xev had for auction to the scum of the galaxy. With the Padawan, Darth Maul intended to fulfill his desire for revenge on the Jedi. However, things proceed other than he planned.

The Rise of Xev Xrexus

The previous issue introduced readers to Xev Xrexus. Like so many of the ruffians that arrived for her auction, she too is a gangster. Although she has the grace of a society hostess, she is a brilliant schemer. While Maul began his slow and deliberate revenge on Eldra, Xev detected his intrusion. Xev has no idea who Maul is, otherwise she might not have chided and threatened him. Her personality shone through as she did, and she managed to be both charming and threatening at the same time.

The Backup Plan

During the pre-auction party, FE-B3, the blind protocol droid, languishes in Maul’s custody. FE-B3 calculates the wealth of the bidders and determines Maul’s available funds are insufficient. Therefore, Maul resorts to a backup plan. This plan is nefarious. If they can’t buy the Padawan outright, then Maul and his bounty hunters will steal her from the auction winners.

Maul and his mercenaries overcome the henchmen of Jee Kra, a Moogan, as Jee Kra successfully wins the auction. When Jee Kra and his escorts arrive at their ship, Maul subdues them. Although he hides his lightsaber, he does call on the Force. Eldra recognizes his use of the Force, and she correctly deduces he is a Sith.

As in the previous issue, Maul’s major fight of the issue excludes his lightsaber. This emphasizes Maul’s frustration. After all, he is a Sith Lord. All others are inferior to him. Yet, he cannot openly display his talents and powers. Eldra recognizes this instantly. Furthermore, Eldra throws it in his face. She proclaims his cowardice because he hides in the shadows. Maul won’t admit it, but this strikes a nerve given his frustration. Maul prepares to free Eldra and duel her to the death, but then they are interrupted.

Xev Strikes Back

Maul, Bane, and the others masqueraded as the Haddrex, which were the gangsters they killed and stole their ship from. Although Xev fails to see through the guise, she deduces that the Haddrex were likely to steal Eldra. Therefore, she sabotages their ship. As the issue concludes, an explosion sends the Haddrex ship careening towards the planet below Xev’s palace. Meanwhile, Xev informs her guests that the hunt is about to begin. It is the Star Wars version of The Most Dangerous Game. The buy-in is 350,000 credits. She is ever the entrepreneur.

Conclusion

Darth Maul #3 continues an entertaining story. Cad Bane was a popular character from The Clone Wars that finally re-emerged in this story. Cullen Bunn clearly understands him and the other classic characters in this series. Xev’s cunning and guile were unexpected. She has emerged as the antagonist and another fantastic new character introduced by Marvel.

The entire story of this series seems inspired by Darth Maul’s line from The Phantom Menace, “At last we will reveal ourselves to the Jedi; at last we will have our revenge.” The theme is clearly Darth Maul’s desire for revenge and frustration with Darth Sidious’s training. As readers learned in issue two, Sith apprentices inherited an ancient grudge from their masters. The Jedi suppress their emotions, a practice the Sith find abhorrent. Furthermore, from the Sith perspective, the Jedi persecuted them. Given the “Rule of Two,” this seems like an artifice manufactured by Sith Lords to develop a healthy hatred for the Jedi in their apprentices. Maul’s interactions with Eldra prove he learned the lesson well and took it personally.

 

Favorite Panel of Darth Maul #3

As with the predecessor issues, Luke Ross provides the art of Darth Maul #3. As usual, Ross graces the pages of this issue with phenomenal art. This issue features a dozen classic alien races from Star Wars. Furthermore, it includes several recognizable characters including Cad Bane and Aurra Sing. Ross’s illustrations of Maul particularly shine. For instance, as the auction for Eldra Kaitis commences, Maul reflects on his training. Sidious trained him to act, and yet, Sidious now denies Maul his nature. The look on Maul’s face is one of longing, eagerness, and yearning for revenge. The emotions drip off the page. That make this the favorite panel of Darth Maul #3.