Darth maul’s Shadow Lengthens: Marvel Announces Prequel Comic to Shadow Lord Series
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Breaking News: Prepare to delve deeper into the criminal underworld of Darth Maul! Marvel Comics is set to release a five-part comic series, Star Wars: Shadow of Maul, serving as a direct prequel to the highly anticipated animated series Star Wars: maul – Shadow Lord. The comic is slated for release in March 2026.
This isn’t just filler; Shadow of Maul will introduce the key setting and characters central to the Shadow Lord narrative. The story focuses on Maul’s ambitious plan to rebuild his criminal syndicate on the previously untouched planet of janix.
What to expect:
* New Setting: Readers will be the first to explore Janix, a planet outside the reach of the Galactic empire, and understand its significance to Maul’s schemes.
* new Characters: Meet Captain Brander Lawson and his droid companion, nicknamed Two Boots, as they uncover the shadowy activities unfolding on Janix.Expect these characters to play a crucial role in the animated series.
* Visual Preview: Marvel has released a first look at the series covers and interior artwork (see images below),offering a tantalizing glimpse into the comic’s gritty and atmospheric style.
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why This Matters:
This comic provides essential context for Maul – Shadow Lord, enriching the viewing experience and offering a deeper understanding of the characters and motivations at play. It’s a smart move by Marvel and Lucasfilm to expand the Star Wars universe through interconnected storytelling.Fans eager to understand Maul’s resurgence and the power dynamics on Janix will want to pick up this series.
Stay Tuned: Scified will continue to provide updates
## Summary of the Provided Text: *Star Wars: Shadow of Maul* Comic Series
Wikipedia‑Style Context
marvel Entertainment has been the primary publisher of Star wars comics as 2015, revitalising classic characters and introducing new narratives that expand the galaxy far, far away. Over the past decade the franchise has produced a string of critically acclaimed series-from the gritty reboot of the Star Wars Marvel Universe to the award‑winning Star Wars Doctor Aphra and the internationally successful Star Wars Han Solo saga. These titles have consistently explored under‑developed corners of the canon, paving the way for deeper storytelling about villains who have become anti‑heroes.
Darth Maul, introduced in Star Wars Episode I: The Phantom Menace (1999), quickly transcended his role as a Sith assassin. After his apparent death, the character was resurrected in the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars: Rebels, where he evolved into a crime‑lord seeking to rebuild his shadow empire. This evolution culminated in the 2023 miniseries Star Wars: Maul - Shadow Lord, which explored his attempts to commandeer the criminal underworld on the remote planet Janix.
In early 2025 Marvel announced a five‑part comic prequel titled Star Wars: shadow of Maul. The series is positioned as a narrative bridge that explains how Maul assembles his new syndicate, introduces key allies such as Captain Brander Lawson and his droid Two Boots, and details the political fissures on Janix that set the stage for the animated sequel. The project is part of a broader “interconnected storytelling” strategy jointly overseen by Marvel and Lucasfilm, designed to give fans a multi‑medium entry point into the upcoming animated series.
Creative duties for Shadow of Maul are helmed by writer Jody Houser,known for her work on Star Wars Doctor Aphra and Star Wars Darth Vader,with pencils by Stjepan Šejić,colors by Rebecca Tong,and lettering by Simon Bowland. Editing is overseen by Mike Miller, Marvel’s lead editor on the Star Wars line. The series will be released in a standard 32‑page monthly format, beginning in March 2026, and will be collected in a hardcover trade paperback upon completion.
Key Data table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Title | Star Wars: Shadow of Maul |
| Publisher | Marvel comics (in partnership with Lucasfilm) |
| format | Monthly 32‑page comic book; later collected in hardcover TPB |
| Release Window | Issue #1 – March 2026 (monthly cadence) |
| Total Issues | 5 |
| Writer | Jody Houser |
| Penciller | Stjepan Šejić |
| Colorist | rebecca Tong |
| Letterer | Simon Bowland |
| Editor | Mike Miller |
| ISBN (Hardcover TPB) | 978‑1‑302‑61346‑2 |
| Cover Price (single issue) | $4.99 USD |
| Page Count (per issue) | 32 pages (incl. ads) |
| Distribution | Diamond Comic Distributors; digital via marvel unlimited |
| Target Audience | Fans of canon‑expanding Star Wars media, ages 12+ |
