We always hoped that Darth Maul was more than just a pretty face. He was introduced way back in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace, where he looked cool and was great at fighting but barely had lines, displayed little personality, and (seemingly) died at the end. He's appeared since in various tie-in stories and animated episodes, but now he's getting a spotlight like never before in a new Marvel comic --- and Marvel has provided a first look at issue #1.

Star Wars: Darth Maul is the latest Star Wars limited series from the publisher, written by Cullen Bunn with art by Luke Ross. It tells the story of Maul's training as a Sith Apprentice prior to the events of The Phantom Menace, and in these preview pages that means fighting a pack of rathtars, the deadly tentacled monsters who we first met on board Han Solo's ship in The Force Awakens. Whether killing them is a training exercise or they're just standing between Darth Maul and something he wants remains to be seen, but either way those rathtars' days are numbered.

Star Wars: Darth Maul features a cover by Rod Reis and variant covers by Rafael Albuquerque and Mark Brooks, as well as an action figure variant by John Tyler Christopher and a Star Wars 40th Anniversary Variant by Terry Dodson. The book goes on sale February 1.

 

Art by Luke Ross
Art by Luke Ross
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Art by Luke Ross
Art by Luke Ross
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Art by Luke Ross
Art by Luke Ross
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Variant Cover by Rafael Albuquerque
Variant Cover by Rafael Albuquerque
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Variant Cover by Mark Books
Variant Cover by Mark Books
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Action Figure Variant by John Tyler Christopher
Action Figure Variant by John Tyler Christopher
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Star Wars 40th Anniversary Variant by Terry Dobson
Star Wars 40th Anniversary Variant by Terry Dobson
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Animation Variant
Animation Variant
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Movie Variant
Movie Variant
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Here's the official word from Marvel:

This February, hatred has a new face. But first, Marvel Entertainment & Lucasfilm Ltd. are pleased to present your first look inside STAR WARS: DARTH MAUL #1 – the next thrilling Star Wars limited series comes to comic shops and digital devices everywhere! Blockbuster writer Cullen Bunn (Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe, Monsters Unleashed) and artist Luke Ross (Star Wars: The Force Awakens Adaptation) take you inside the mind of Darth Sidious’ star pupil as he embarks on a personal quest – with deadly consequences!

Bred on hate, fear, and anger. Steeped in the ways of darkness…trained to kill. Darth Maul’s time as an apprentice to Darth Sidious has long been cloaked in shadows, but at last we will reveal his tale of revenge. His master tells him to embrace his anger, but to stay hidden and bide his time. Maul has waited long enough – his patience growing ever thinner. His moment to step into the light has finally come. Prepare for a tale of unbridled rage as Darth Maul readies one of his first encounters with his mortal enemy…with the Jedi.

 

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