40 years after he was first conceived, a “Star Wars” villain that by no means received his day within the solar is making a comeback. Admittedly, that is an obscure character even by hardcore fan requirements. That is as about as unknown as they arrive, however that solely serves to make the character’s return all of the extra fascinating.
Marvel Comics and Lucasfilm just lately introduced a brand new e book titled “Star Wars: Jedi Knights.” The e book hails from author Marc Guggenheim (“Arrow”) and artist Madibek Musabekov (“Star Wars”). By way of the general timeline, it takes place across the “Fall of the Jedi” period earlier than the occasions of “The Phantom Menace.” Other than the wealthy period for storytelling that the prequel period has proved to be, the e book’s intrigue has to do with making Atha Prime a part of the official canon. Readers can be forgiven for not realizing that title, nevertheless it’s a villain that traces its roots to the mid-Eighties after the discharge of “Return of the Jedi.”
Atha Prime was purported to be an motion determine launched by Kenner to assist preserve “Star Wars” alive after the unique trilogy wrapped up its run. As toy gross sales had been drying up, Kenner’s concept was to maintain the story alive through the toys. Atha Prime was supposed to be the massive dangerous of this deserted storyline. Editor Mark Paniccia defined in a press launch how the entire thing happened.
“Whereas growing the sequence, Marc found this deep minimize — the antagonist from Kenner’s unrealized ‘The Epic Continues’ toy line. We noticed the unique design and had been instantly bought. What a cool character to carry into canon and what an ideal e book to do it in!”
You may get a glimpse on the character within the above cowl. Other than that toy packaging cowl, there’s additionally one which hones in on his massive, gold helmet. The character additionally seems on a canopy for “Star Wars: Legacy of Vader,” which you may as well take a look at beneath. Fairly importantly, Atha Prime now joins the likes of “Shadows of the Empire” villain Prince Xizor as deserted characters who had been later introduced into the official canon by Lucasfilm.
Who’s Atha Prime in Star Wars, precisely?
Marvel Comics
That is removed from the primary time that Lucasfilm has introduced again an outdated character in the course of the Disney period. Fairly famously, Grand Admiral Thrawn made his long-awaited return in “Star Wars Rebels” earlier than changing into the primary villain of “Ahsoka.” The distinction right here is that Thrawn was a part of the extremely popular “Inheritor to the Empire” trilogy of novels. The identical cannot be stated for Atha Prime, who is barely recognized by essentially the most die-hard followers.
So, who’s Atha Prime, precisely? Naturally, Guggenheim goes to place his stamp on the character for his official introduction. That stated, Kenner (per Bantha Cranium) initially described Ahtha Prime as follows:
“A strong power lengthy saved in exile in a distant fringe of the galaxy has been launched by the demise of the Emperor. It strikes now, like a plague, securing management over the shattered remnants of the empire and re-enslaving newly freed worlds. Atha Prime, genetics grasp, ruler of the darkish worlds and architect of the Clone Wars, is free once more. His superior military of fight clones has already decimated insurgent outposts alongside the galactic frontier. His aim is to crush endlessly the Insurgent Alliance and management the Galaxy.”
The point out of cloning is fascinating as that is a significant factor in Palpatine’s resurrection within the aftermath of his demise in “Return of the Jedi.” As for a way Atha Prime will issue into issues throughout this period of relative peace within the galaxy? We’ll have to attend for the e book to reach in March however the synopsis for the sequence explains that he will be mixing it up with Obi-Wan Kenobi’s former grasp Qui-Gon Jinn
“Star Wars: Jedi Knights takes place earlier than “The Phantom Menace” and stars legendary Prequel Trilogy icons like Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and extra, together with fan-favorite characters and all-new Jedi. Every thrilling concern follows a unique Jedi duo on pivotal missions all through the galaxy, with an overarching menace binding them collectively. Who’s the mysterious new villain concentrating on Qui-Gon Jinn for demise, and the way will it power the Jedi Order to evolve for a brand new age?
These can get the complete story when “Star Wars: Jedi Knights” #1 hits cabinets on March 5, 2025.
