The unused Clone Wars storyline comes to an end today ad Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir #4 by Jeremy Barlow and Juan Frigeri hits comic book stores today.  But will Darth Maul and Mother Talzin’s plan for revenge against Darth Sidious succeed?

This review contains some spoilers for the issue.

Darth Maul returns to Dathomir with Count Dooku, intent on using the Sith’s very life force to give Mother Talzin a physical body once more.  But Darth Sidious is hardly going to let his former apprentice destroy his carefully laid plans.  That can only mean another facedown between Master and former Apprentice!

It’s difficult to discuss the final issue of a limited series without evaluating the story arc as a whole.  Overall, this storyline was not my favorite (although I do not dislike it) and I suspect that it has to do with the status quo not changing.  While it was well written for the most part, it doesn’t feel like it has that much of an impact on the universe.  We’re essentially right back where we started with the exception of Maul having the backing of Black Sun.  The issue does, however, get some bonus points for readers finally getting to see Darth Sidious set the metaphorical chessboard aside and take matters into his own hands.  It’s something that helps sell how he can take out four Jedi Masters in Revenge of the Sith.  This issue does also cement that Darth Maul wouldn’t have been a very good Sith Master

Art-wise, the book remains solid.  I’m unsure whether it was in the script or if it was the artist initiative but it was nice to see the Mandalorian leader was a woman in this issue.  Frigeri also draws a great looking 2/3 page panel of Mother Talzin that looks fantastic.

At the end of the day, this is a good series for those who either can’t get enough of Darth Maul or who can’t get enough of The Clone Wars.  It’s readily apparent that this arc was intended for television although it doesn’t detract that much from how it is presented.  Personally, it didn’t thrill me as I was hoping for a more… conclusive ending but most others will likely be satisfied with how Barlow ties things up.

Darth Maul: Son of Dathomir gets a 3.5/5 for both issue #4 and for the series as a whole.