Resurrection

Resurrection is a 48-page comic story that appeared in Star Wars Tales 9 and collected in Star Wars Tales Volume 3. The story was written by Ron Marz, with pencils by Rick Leonardi, inks by Terry Austin, letters by Steve Dutro and colors by Raul Trevino. It takes place shortly before the Battle of Yavin.

Plot summary


Darth Vader arrives on the volcanic planet Kalakar VI in order to intercept Rebels passing on stolen plans for the Death Star. Sensing something familiar after landing, Vader dispatches his squad of stormtroopers to scout the area. However, the stormtroopers are quickly cut down by a mysterious assassin, wielding a red lightsaber.

Vader enters a hollowed out volcano and is confronted by a number of Prophets of the Dark Side. They inform him that the information about the rebels is false, and that they brought him here because they don't think he is fit to serve the Emperor. As he attempts to strike the prophets down, he is blocked by Darth Maul. The prophets resurrected Maul to replace Vader at the Emperor's side, and they goad Vader into dueling with the former Sith apprentice.

The pair launch into a furious duel, hurling insults at each other. They battle though the volcano onto a bridge situated over a river of lava. The bridge collapses, but both Sith narrowly escape falling in and the duel continues. Maul throughout the battle seems to have the edge, his agile tactics always beating Vader's brute force.

Vader manages to split Maul's saber in two, but Maul strikes Vader on the helmet, causing him to fall to the floor. As Maul moves in for the killing blow, Vader uses the Force to retrieve his lightsaber and stabs Maul through his own stomach, killing him. Maul questions what Vader could hate enough to destroy him. Vader's response: "Myself".

As Vader confronts the prophets, they are electrocuted by Palpatine. He has arrived to check on Vader's progress, though he denies any involvement with the prophets. He informs Vader there is much to do in stopping the rebels with the stolen plans, and Vader dutifully follows his master to a waiting shuttle.

Behind the scenes

 * This story was originally planned as a four-part series, but it was reduced when it was decided that the story would appear in Star Wars Tales.
 * There are references to the Prophets of the Dark Side being on Dromund Kalakar in part 5 of the Dark Forces Saga.
 * Resurrection was selected as one of Star Wars Insider 83s 20 Most Memorable Moments of the Expanded Universe.
 * Leland Chee confirmed the canonicity of the story on his blog.

Characters

 * Darth Vader
 * Darth Maul
 * Emperor Palpatine
 * Baron Yorn
 * Anakin Skywalker
 * Darth Bane
 * Obi-Wan Kenobi

Species

 * Human
 * Zabrak

Locations

 * Kalakar Six
 * Coruscant

Ships & vehicles

 * Lambda-class T-4a shuttle

Organizations

 * Prophets of the Dark Side
 * Galactic Empire
 * Stormtrooper
 * Emperor's Royal Guard
 * Sith
 * Alliance to Restore the Republic
 * Jedi

Weapons

 * Lightsaber

Other

 * Death Star plans