Description

Star Wars Tales #9                                     Variant Comic
Featuring Darth Vader vs. Darth Maul… in a Duel to the Death! 
Editors: Dave Land & Philip Simon
Variant Cover #9B by: Jon Foster

A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…

Star Wars is an American epic space opera franchise centered on a film series created by George Lucas.  The film series began with Star Wars, released on May 25, 1977. This was followed by two sequels: The Empire Strikes Back, released on May 21, 1980, and Return of the Jedi, released on May 25, 1983. Then more than two decades after the release of the original film, the series continued with a prequel trilogy; consisting of Episode I: The Phantom Menace, released on May 19, 1999; Episode II: Attack of the Clones, released on May 16, 2002; Episode III: Revenge of the Sith, released on May 19, 2005; and finally the epic saga concluded with Star Wars: The Force Awakens released on December 18, 2015; Star Wars: The Last Jedi was released on December 18, 2017. And Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker was released on December 20, 2019.

The Dark Lord of the Sith… Darth Vader
versus
Darth Sidious’s powerful apprentice… Darth Maul

Now… a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away… Star Wars: Darth Vader vs. Darth Maul! Ladies and Gentlemen! Boys and Girls! Droids and Jawas! Prepare yourselves for the battle of the century! In this corner, weighing in at 220 pounds, the terror from Tatooine, the Dark Lord of the Sith, the former Anakin Skywalker – Darth Vader! And in this corner, weighing in at 175 pounds, a killer of Jedi, the Naboo Annihilator, Darth Sidious’ #1 apprentice – Darth Maul! Make sure you’re here on September 12th, 2001 for the answer to the question on everyone’s lips: “Who’s tougher? Vader or Maul?” Let the Battle begin!

Star Wars Tales #9 contains:

“Resurrection”   48 pages
Writer: Ron Marz
Artist: Rick Leonardi
Inker: Terry Austin
Colorist: Raúl Treviño at Studio F
Letterer: Steve Dutro

Darth Vader arrives on the volcanic moon Kalakar Six 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 they claim he is “Not the blood of Bane”. As he attempts to strike the prophets down, he is blocked by a copy of 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 through 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. Vader manages to split his opponent’s saber in two, but both sides remain intact. “Maul” strikes Vader on the helmet, causing him to fall to the floor. As the Maul copy moves in for the killing blow, Vader uses the Force to retrieve his lightsaber and stabs it through his own stomach, killing the enemy behind him. “Maul,” before he dies, 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.
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“Hate Leads to Lollipops”   4 pages
Writer: Dave McCaig
Artist: Dave McCaig

Maul’s early years, he was sent to the Happy Nerf Herder, a maximum security home for wayward boys on Coruscant. While there, he was involved in a breakout and, upon escaping, went on a hunt for a lollipop. After using a cable to get to the nearby Mon Calamari Fish Market, Maul stole a hoverboard from a bystander, accidentally causing an explosion by doing so. He used this hoverboard to get to RIB hutt, where he crashed into an unknown Hutt before stealing a lightsaber from a Jedi who was at the restaurant. Maul used this lightsaber to jump off the side of the building and slow his landing by slicing the lightsaber down the building’s side. Though the Jedi chased him, Maul eventually landed upon a granite slug which had attached itself to the building and dropped the lightsaber before landing on an airspeeder along with the slug. The airspeeder went along, out of control, before catapulting both Maul and the slug onto a nearby building which contained a lollipop shop. Before Maul was able to get his sought-after lollipop, however, he was taken captive by a Senate Guard who brought him before Senator Palpatine. Though the Guardsman wanted to take him back to the security home, Palpatine stated that Maul simply needed better guidance and that he would re-educate the boy personally. Maul finally got his lollipop as Palpatine placed one in his mouth.
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“The Rebel Four”   4 pages
Writer: Jay Stephens
Artist: Jay Stephens

On Vatleria, a team of rebels, Falaem Onn, Grimgrim, F4-MF and Soo Rcharrz, known collectively as the “Rebel Four” attempt to infiltrate the heavily guarded stone ruins. One by one they fall into traps prepared by Darth Vader. F4-MF is stretched to pieces, Onn is burnt to a crisp, Grimgrim is crushed by rocks and Rcharrz is blasted into nothingness. Vader however is disappointed at the ease of the victory. When an Imperial officer questions this, Vader force chokes him.
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Variant Comic is bagged & triple boarded and will be carefully / securely packaged then shipped via USPS Priority Mail to ensure that it arrives to you perfectly and quickly.

First Printing
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Publication Date: September 2001
Format: FC, 64 pages, Comic, 10.25″ x 6.75″
UPC: 761568001105

Collectible Entertainment note: Comic is in Very Fine + condition.  Beautiful!  Please See Scans!!  A must have for any serious Darth Vader, Darth Maul and/or Star Wars collector and/or enthusiast.  A fun & entertaining read.  Very Highly Recommended.

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