Customer Reviews

Star Wars: Darth Maul

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

`Darth Maul,' just to set the record straight, takes place several months before Michael Reaves' novel `Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter,' and shortly after James Luceno's eBook `Darth Maul: Saboteur.' While this comic is extremely impressive visually and fun to look at, in terms of plot and story it's severely lacking. There is a minimum of dialogue; the focus is on Darth Maul's killing ability.

The plot is basic: Darth Sidious sends his apprentice Darth Maul on a mission to destroy the leadership and organization of vast, galaxy-spanning criminal syndicate Black Sun, in order to minimize the possibility of any interference with his plans. Darth Maul, of course, being one to never disappoint or fail his master, embarks on his quest in his new Sith Infiltrator full of the goodies we saw in Episode I.

Even more so than most of Jan Duursema's work, this is an extremely visually impressive comic. There are plenty of imposing images of Maul standing there looking impressive and frightening, and more fight scenes than in any other Star Wars comic I believe. We get to see Maul go on killfests against tons of beings, as well as one on one fights with several others, including a Dathomiri Nightsister (one of the kind we saw in `Infinity's End,' not the breed from `Courtship of Princess Leia'). Unfortunately, although this book is great fun the first few times around, it loses re-readability because there is no real plot, and very little expository dialogue. In addition, by the time the end comes around, the constant "Maul against many" fights are beginning to get quite boring and predictable. To be fair, there were a few interesting scenes about the Sithly nature of the Force and how it compares to other Force users such as Jedi and Nightsisters, and there's a cool scene involving a telepath, but other than that it's just a bloodbath. In addition, there are several tie-ins to the other Darth Maul products - we see Oolth, who will later show up in the Michael Reaves novel, and are introduced to Hath Monchar, who we see in both of the other Darth Maul books. However, there is also one extremely unnecessary scene in this book which really doesn't fit the mood and detracted from my reading pleasure - a couple of pages with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan that have nothing to do with the story. I don't see why they were thrown in there, but it wasn't at all helpful to the "plot."

Overall, this is a very well drawn comic with minimal plot. If you are a "Mauloholic," a Star Wars fan, or just like a good fight, this comic is for you, but if you don't read it, you're not really missing anything.

Before he moves the Trade Federation against Naboo, Darth Sidius decides that there is a potential interference that must be dealt with in advance, the crime syndicate known as Black Sun. And so, the Sith Lord dispatches Darth Maul to kill the leaders of Black Sun. With the inevitability of death itself, Darth Maul descends on Black Sun.

Wow, what a great graphic novel! My son bought this book without me knowing, and boy am I glad that he did. It is non-stop action, with evil versus evil, and no quarter given or taken. There are many fascinating villains in this book, and even though there is not too much of a storyline, the level of action and the colorful baddies more than make up for that. Plus, I must mention that throughout the whole book, the illustrations are nothing short of excellent.

My son is something of a Darth Maul fan, and this book is definitely the kind of book he wanted to see. He enjoyed it, reading it twice before he allowed his loving father to even touch it! He recommends it to you, and so do I!

I was one of the Star Wars fans that felt cheated when Darth maul, with his massive hype, cool appearance, and astonishing fighting technique was killed in Episode I. Being greedy I wanted more. For those of you who felt the same, this graphic is the answer.

The premise: shortly before Epidode I, Darth Sidious dispatches Darth maul to cripple Black Sun, a vast criminal empire with sufficient power to threaten Sidious's plans. Maul proceeds to slaughter his way across the next 72 pages and most of the galaxy. One has to wonder how Marz is able to conceive of all the carious ways Mail slices and dices his way through the criminal underworld. My favorite method of murder is when a telepath tries to read Maul's mind and has a fatal stroke because all he can sense if pure, undiluted evil.

This fits nicely into continuity for long time Star Wars fans, but it could easily stand alone for the curious who just want a one time fix of fun, and Sith mayhem. Over all a great book.

I couldn't possibly praise this book enough. I've read a lot of star wars graphic novels, and very few deliver the goods. Not so with "Darth Maul". Name something, and the book delivers. Character? Dead on. Plot? Not a slow moment. Art? Perfect.

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.

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.

The artwork in this is phenomenal and the story is awesome as well!

Anyone who is a fan of Darth Maul will like this and enjoy the further exploration into this character's background. Not to mention watching him face off against one of the Witches of Dathomir was just mind-blowing!

A great addition to any Star War's fan's collection.

Darth Maul. A Sith Apprentice with barely 5 lines of speech in Star Wars - Episode I, The Phantom Menace (Widescreen Edition), but his very name is enough to make you stop and wonder.
Just before the Blockade of Naboo by the Trade Federation, Darth Sidious approaches his apprentice with a task: destroy Black Sun. Maul unwaveringly agrees. He penetrates their compound and his bloody rampages again.
The art is magnificent. Darth Maul is displayed in all his radiant (and little seen in the movie at least) glory. He is beautifully rendered in each page. Other characters are likewise beautifully rendered--Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan as one. The actions sequences are well drawn and easy to follow. And new characters appear on each page. No confusion over who is who and what is what. However, I will say that the Nightsister was a little odd...almost reminded me of the drawing Ian McCaig did of the first Sith Apprentice (go to [..] to get an idea of what I mean). Not bad, but definitely unexpected.
There is a high body count in this novel, but not much gory factor. Also, this is not a highly complicated novel. Most of it is just following Maul as he kills people. I was able to stop halfway through and pick up almost a month later having no troubles. If you don't mind a threadbare plot and lots of action, this is your best bet.
So, I highly recommend to Darth Maul lovers with want to see him do what he does best: kill people.

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*C.S. Light*

I picked this up because I was hoping for some background on Darth Maul, where did he come from? Who is he? How did he fall to the darkside? You'll get none of that. This is a comic about a perfectly honed killing machine and that is all.

But if this comic does one thing well...it's cold blooded murder. Gorgeous artwork that makes you feel like you're there running from a "force" of nature. Most of the Dark Horse artwork up to this point has been shoddy at best. Plot? not so much. But at least we get to see just how vicious Maul really is.

There is something about a comic book that evokes realism, this has it. When someone gets kicked you duck your head a little and think "ewww, that had to hurt!" Star Wars: Darth Maul brings you deeply into the action and engages you there but doesn't really do anything else. Maybe that's not a problem?

The strength of this piece is in the action, something that is very hard to capture in a few frames. It does it well and in a way that even makes us wonder about Darth Maul's actual abilities. We see characters, main characters, supporting characters, all of whom get some development (aside from perhaps maul himself who remains little more than a bloodthirsty killing machine).

So yes, this could be better. There could have been more investigation on Maul's part, something that really engaged his brain rather than his ability to murder some of the galaxy's finest.

I had one reservation, this makes it clear how strong maul is. Previous comics about Qui-gon and obi-wan make them seem far to weak to defeat an opponent this strong in the force.

It's also worth noting that this has some reread value. I read it in 2003 and again in 2008 with simple enjoyment. At the time of this writing you can buy this used for 5$ dollars, it's totally worth that. Don't pay more.

Another reviewer said that you're not missing anything by avoiding this title, I disagree. I think reading this gives an idea of just how hard core maul is as a dark lord of the sith.

This trade paperback is a prequel of sorts to Star Wars Episode I, The Phantom Menace. It takes place roughly a year before the events in the film and feature about the only thing that made Phantom Menace watchable, the Sith apprentice, Darth Maul. This book isn't just entitled Darth Maul but it's virtually a one-man show.

Maul is just near the completion of his training when his Master, Darth Sidious, summons him. Maul wonders if it is time for the Sith to finally reveal themselves and destroy the Jedi but he is cautioned that the time for that is still to come. Instead, Sidious sees that there may be one organization that can interfere with his plans to blockade Naboo, the galactic crime syndicate known as the Black Sun. The Black Sun has its hands in everything that goes on in the galaxy and they are a threat that must be eliminated. Sidious wants maul to strike at the heart of Black Sun, not destroying it, but rather seriously crippling it by killing its leaders. That is the very basic plot to the story.

Maul relishes the opportunity to finally use his skills to their fullest, one-by-one, assassinating the various under bosses of Black Sun, and throwing the organization into total disarray. There's not a lot of subtlety to the story written by veteran comic scribe, Ron Marz. Maul mows down legions of the syndicates finest fighters and assassins as if they were mere practice dummies. It is an artful display of carnage which, if I had to try and compare it to anything, would be the restaurant battle scene from Kill Bill part 1. Maul is a whirlwind of death and even Mighella, a Dathomiri Witch, proved little match for him.

What the book lacks in terms of plotting and the usual Star Wars intrigue, it more than makes up for in action. There isn't a lot of dialog in the book, and not much background is shared about the Sith. This story is action from cover-to-cover. I would say if there was one weakness, it could be that Marz portrayed Maul as being too powerful. Were he quite this powerful, one wonders if a young Obi-Wan would have truly stood a chance against him in their duel in The Phantom Menace.

The art by Jan Duursema and Rick Magyar is exceptional and it is their battle scenes which make the book rate higher than perhaps the story should allow. The power and grace of Darth Maul in battle is rendered magnificently. Maul looks like a demon spewed forth from the bowels of hell!

Some fans may moan about the lack of much of a story or characterization, but that's not what the book was intended to be. The book was intended to spotlight just how fearsome the Sith can be and it does so extremely well.

A great graphic novel by Ron Marz and illustrated by Jan Duursema. The main idea was Black Sun threatens Sidious' plans for a Naboo Blockade. Darth Maul is sent to weaken their criminal network. In this TPB, writer Ron Marz is, well, Ron Marz. That means little dialogue, weak storyline, and not much character development. An example of weak dialogue was when Sidious and Maul were talking, and were restating each others questions as they answered. this was:

Maul: I will not fail you, my master.
Sidious: Yes apprentice, I know you will not fail me.

Another downside to the dialogue was the lack of it. Not one word was said until page 8. The final bad side to the Darth Maul TPB is the length. Only 96 pages! I can't be the only one who thought this short and wants a sequel, or even a prequel, showing Maul's transformation into a Sith apprentice.

Now, the good. SUPERB ART! I've never seen better, with the exception of Star Wars Darkness, and Clone Wars volume 4 (but then again, all are drawn by Jan Duursema). This TPB was mainly to show how strong Darth Maul is, and it does that well. Several HUGE fight scenes showing Maul killing Black Sun. Including, an opening scene of 7 and a half pages showing Darth Maul train. Another scene in the beginning with Qui-Gon Jinn and Obi-Wan was very interesting, as they were "feeling" Maul's presence on Coruscant. It almost seemed as if Qui-Gon knew he'd die at the hands of Darth Maul.

Overall, Darth Maul was still an excellent graphic novel. Buy it for the art, not for the story. Still, Maul fans would love to see him in action again, so this is where it can be done. I'm still giving this a 5 because of the outstanding art, and it's just cool to see Maul do what he does best.