Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #5 Pits Internal Justice Against Sith Terror

Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #5 drops this Wednesday, July 8th, promising a gritty clash between interstellar crime and a looming Sith Lord. Writer Benjamin Percy and artist Madibek Musabekov dive deep into the corrupt underbelly of Janix, where Captain Lawson and his droid partner Two-Boots are trying to clean up their own department. But they're not just fighting internal treachery; Darth Maul is unleashing a campaign of terror across the city, threatening to plunge Janix into irreversible darkness.

Lawson himself is a fascinating figure. A former bounty hunter, he once navigated the dark spaces between stars before settling down on Janix. Now, he's trying to reform the system from within, giving the series a classic noir feel. The internal affairs investigation, led by Lawson, focuses on corrupt officer Ruhl. This personal fight against the rot within the system contrasts sharply with Maul's brutal, external chaos. It's a smart setup, highlighting the multiple layers of darkness Janix faces.

Maul's presence adds immediate high stakes. Known for his ruthless efficiency and iconic design, he’s a fan-favorite villain. How Lawson's internal struggle for justice will intersect with Maul's destructive path is the series' compelling hook. This issue, with its focus on systemic corruption and external terror, looks to explore the moral grey areas of the Star Wars universe, a trend Marvel's Star Wars comics have often embraced. Derrick Chew provides the striking cover art for this penultimate chapter.