By George & Josh Bate
Those who have largely avoided Star Wars animation over the years were likely confused at how Darth Maul, last seen cut in live-action when he was cut half by Obi-Wan Kenobi, suddenly appeared at the end of Solo: A Star Wars Story. These same viewers may also be unsure just at what point in the long and winding journey of Maul does the new animated series Maul – Shadow Lord take place in. This article serves as a comprehensive overview of Maul heading into the Disney+ series.
We also have an Essential Guide of What to Watch and Read Before Maul – Shadow Lord. Check it out below….
Maul’s journey begins in the year 54 BBY (seven years prior to the birth of Anakin Skywalker, for reference). Maul was born on Dathomir, a hell-like place that the dark side of the Force had a strong presence on. Dathomir is home to various witch clans proficient in the Force-based abilities of magick, including the Nightsisters. Maul’s mother was Mother Talzin, the leader of the Nightsisters.
Maul also had two siblings – Savage Opress and Feral. As their mother Talzin was often taking care of the Nightsisters, Maul was tasked with caring for his siblings.
Growing up, Maul felt a connection to the Force, something that would soon be exploited by Sheev Palpatine. The Sith Lord also known as Darth Sidious became an ally of Mother Talzin, as the two exchanging knowledge of the dark side. Talzin enjoyed this alliance, until Maul and his deadly combination of anger and Force sensitivity caught the attention of Sidious. The Sith Lord then stole Maul from Talzin and molded him into his apprentice.
Under Sidious’ leadership, Maul was raised to hate the Jedi Order and those who served the light side of the Force. Like his master, Maul became determined to bring the Jedi Order to an end and instill Sith control in the galaxy.
Maul underwent excrutiating training to achieve this goal, clashing with Jedi, bounty hunters, rathtars, and more. Eventually, Maul’s training became of use as Sidious dispatched him as his man-on-the-ground for the Invasion of Naboo. Sidious conspired with the Trade Federation to invade the planet as a means to eventually usurp Finis Valorum as Chancellor of the Galactic Republic.
Queen Amidala of Naboo (aka Padme) was necessary for Sidious’ plans as she had to sign a treaty that would legitimize the illegal occupation of Naboo. To achieve this aim, Sidious sent Maul to find the Queen and the Jedi. Maul clashed with Qui-Gon Jinn on Tatooine and, in turn, revealed the Sith to the Jedi for the first time in a millennium.
Maul soon clashed with Qui-Gon again, now alongside his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi, on Naboo in order to fight those opposing the Trade Federation’s occupation. This proved to be a fateful day for Maul as, after slaughtering Qui-Gon, he was cut in half by Obi-Wan’s blade and killed.
At least, that’s what we thought….
Maul somehow managed to survive being cut in half. His top half fell down a reactor shaft and into a trash container, which was then dumped on the junkyard world of Lotho Minor. There, Maul used discarded metal to create a spider-like apparatus for him to walk again. While his body recovered, Maul’s mind faltered as the former Sith lord descended into insanity while in isolation.
Eventually, Maul was rescued by his brother Savage Opress after being dispatched to do so by Mother Talzin. Savage then took Maul to Dathomir, where Talzin restored his memories and repaired his fractured mind.
With his mind repaired, Maul began a pursuit of revenge that becomes the force driving him forward for the rest of his life. Maul’s included Obi-Wan, the Jedi who bifurcated him, and Sidious, the master who abandoned him. To eliminate these targets, Maul made Savage his Sith apprentice to rival the duo of Sidious and Darth Tyranus, before diving head first into the criminal underworld.
Recognizing the untapped potential of the seedy underbelly of a galaxy far, far away, Maul devised the Shadow Collective, an assembly of criminal syndicates, including the Pykes, Black Sun, and the Hutt Clan. Maul used the Shadow Collective to seize power on Mandalore, overthrowing the Mandalorian government and killing Pre Vizsla in the process.
As Maul’s power rose though, so did the concerns of his former master. Sidious confronted Maul and Savage on Mandalore, kidnapping the former and murdering the latter. Maul was briefly able to resume his reign on Mandalore after escaping Sidious’ captivity but was shortly thereafter overthrown by the Grand Army of the Republic, led by Ahsoka Tano and Captain Rex.
Maul once again found himself in captivity before managing to escape by taking advantage of the chaos of Order 66. Soon after, Maul made his way to the neon-soaked planet of Janix, where he planned to restart his criminal enterprise and finally exact the revenge he has so desperately desired. It is at this time point, approximately one year after the events of Revenge of the Sith, that Maul – Shadow Lord begins.
Chronologically, we know more about Maul’s journey beyond Maul – Shadow Lord. Eventually, Maul becomes the leader of Crimson Dawn, a powerful crime syndicate that also includes Dryden Vos and Qi’ra. Qi’ra somehow manages to overthrow Maul as the leader of Crimson Dawn, leaving Maul to focus solely on revenge once again.
Years later, Maul began a search for a Sith holocron that would grand him access to knowledge necessary to kill Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Sidious. His search took him to the ancient Sith world of Malachor, where he happened to meet Jedi apprentice Ezra Bridger and his master Kanan Jarus. Together with Ahsoka Tano, the four battled Inquisitors and managed to escape the planet.
A few months later, Maul resurfaced in the lives of Bridger and Jarrus. Maul wanted the Jedi to give him both the Sith holocron and a Jedi holocron. After a conflict, Maul and Ezra unlocked the holocrons, which revealed that Obi-Wan Kenobi was still alive and living on Tatooine. Maul tried to make Ezra his apprentice following this revelation, but Ezra refused to abandon his friends.
Maul then made his way to Tatooine and confronted Obi-Wan Kenobi for one last time. Obi-Wan quickly stuck Maul down and then cradled him in his arms while dying. In his last few moments, Maul finds comfort as Obi-Wan informs his long-standing enemy that the boy he is looking arfter is the Chosen One who will destroy the Empire once and for all. With the knowledge that Sidious will finally be defeated, Maul takes his final breath and is laid to rest.
As you can tell, Maul’s journey so far has been arduous to say the least and things will presumably get even more complicated in Maul – Shadow Lord. While we know the beginning, end, and much of the middle of Maul’s story, there’s much to be learned about how he ascended to the apex of the criminal underworld before honing in on Sidious and Kenobi once again.