In the world of star wars, there is a severe lack of character-driven material. Almost all the promising stories fall victim to this oversight. However, Marz gets the Maul character perfectly, the dialogue is kept to a minimum, and maul is painted as even more cold, calculating and deadly than we had any idea of. Most poor or disappointing comics rely on tired dialogue and action. Marz on the other hand, uses character, plot and visuals to drive the story, and the results are amazing. Also, the series had covers by the master himself, Drew Struzan. Most star wars books are lucky to have the poor-man's Struzan, Dave Dorman. But Maul astoundingly has managed to get the worlds greatest poster artists to paint all 4 covers.

This book successfully makes you realize how dangerous and powerful maul really was, and allows you to enjoy the end duel of The Phantom Meance much, much, more. Like just about everyone, I was disappointed by TPM - This book definitely helps. So chances are you should check it out.

This is a must-own for star wars fans. Marz stays true to the character and takes you on a wild ride.


Ice cream without flavour . . . a waste of potential   October 13, 2003
 4 out of 5 found this review helpful

This Darth Maul comic lacks the great taste it could have been had the chefs behind the scenes bothered to add even some basic flavour. Or even a title, seeing how you have to say "Darth Maul comic" to avoid confusion to the central character itself. After all, this happens just before the Shadow Hunter novel, in turn, just before The Phantom Menace movie.

And the central character in this action ride he is. Semi-attired half the time lets you see Maul's full Sith tattoos, and if he bothered to speak a bit more you'd have to add more text bubbles near him. This is when Maul receives his Infiltrator ship and his droid probes. Essentially, this is a comic that is evenly balanced: what's outstanding is eroded by its deficiencies.

And the art by Jan Duursema is outstanding. This is a comic, not a book. Comics must be as visually impressive as can be. And Jan delivers the goods, and with her recent Star Wars material showing just how better her comics are improving in conjunction with the colouring crew, of course! Dark Horse has struck gold with this team.

Maul hacks, wacks and slashes his way through piles of bodyguards to eliminate the Black Sun crime chiefs, which is pretty much all the storyline has to offer. But it is the little touches that save this comic. Creative tidbits like the whiney Oolth, seen in the Shadow Hunter novel; brief cameos of Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan; informing the reader that Itotchi aliens, like the Jedi Master Saesee Tiin, are actually telepathic; a monocle-wearing Dug; charismatic Black Sun leader; and a wide range of aliens.

But with the choice parts of the meal eaten, the sour portions are plenty. There really is little reason for Maul not to talk. He doesn't have to make witty or sarcastic comments; he could have thought bubbles. This is one Sith whose single-minded dedication dispenses with speech unless needed, which just brings down the comic. And after such lightsaber bloodshed, you understand why Maully chooses to kill his principle target bare handed.

The opening pages are just corny and cliche: Maul vs duelling droids. Sound familiar? Like his opening in the Shadow Hunter book? What could have saved this was a more satisfying ending. The confrontation with the Nightsister guard was faster than lightspeed. At least give readers more of a fight. Yes, he's a powerful Sith warrior, and he'll win, but make him work for it a bit!

Overall, this comic has fantastic art but too many burps to digest well. Good for a light read, but not to be taken seriously. The discrepancies within are the sort that are easily fixed, but just weren't bothered with. There are better meals out there, but this'll suffice as an entree.


Few words, lots of action and great art work.   June 30, 2003
Few words, lots of action and great art work. The is a story set shortly before Episode 1. I place it at 33 years before NH. Darth Sidious sends Maul to decapitate the leadership of Black Sun. And so that there is no one left to reveal that the sith has returned, he must wipe them out, all of them. Yes the story is short on words, but the story is pretty good for darkhorse.

It defineately passes with my ADHD son, who sat through two seasons of reading for me to go through the whole book. Sometimes, a comic does not hold his interest enough and it can take 4 or 5 sessions to do a 4 comic, 96 page TPB like this one. What that means is that the action was up to snuff for my son.

The art work here is of the new processes employed by darkhorse. One BIG complaint. I have never had a Darkhorse TPB comic just fall apart. This one did and I was careful. Check the spines and glue jobs before buying, if you can. The story gets a 3 and the art a 4, for an average of 3.5. Since it fell apart, I'm rounding down to a 3.

Does this comic add anything to our understanding of the SW galaxy? Not really. The story reinforces my thoughts about Maul, but adds no new insights.

This is a recommended addition to your collection.