What is Maul: Shadow Lord?

Maul: Shadow Lord is an upcoming Star Wars animated series that follows Darth Maul after the events of The Clone Wars as he attempts to rebuild his criminal empire.

Is Maul: Shadow Lord connected to a comic series?

Yes. Marvel Comics is releasing a five-issue prequel comic titled Star Wars: Shadow of Maul that sets up the events of the animated series.

When is Maul: Shadow Lord releasing?

The animated series is scheduled to arrive on Disney+ in 2026, with the prequel comic launching earlier the same year.

What new characters are introduced?

New characters include Captain Brander Lawson and his droid partner, Two Boots, who operate on the crime-ridden planet Janix.

What era does Maul: Shadow Lord take place in?

The series is set after Star Wars: The Clone Wars, during the early reign of the Galactic Empire.

Maul: Shadow Lord — New Details Revealed About the Upcoming Star Wars Animated Series

Exciting new information has emerged about Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord, the upcoming animated series centered on the iconic villain Darth Maul — and it includes its setting, new characters, a tie-in comic, and a clearer plot direction as the show builds toward its 2026 release.

Here’s everything you need to know based solely on the latest official Marvel announcement.

A Prequel Comic Sets the Stage

Marvel Comics is releasing a five-issue prequel series titled Star Wars: Shadow of Maul in March 2026, timed to lead directly into the television show. This comic serves as an official narrative bridge, introducing the world and characters that audiences will encounter in the animated series.

The series is written by Benjamin Percy, who previously contributed to Star Wars: Darth Maul – Black, White & Red, and illustrated by Madibek Musabekov, known for his work on Star Wars: Jedi Knights. Those creative talents are returning to expand Maul’s story in a fresh direction for the franchise.

Continuing Maul’s Story After The Clone Wars

Maul: Shadow Lord picks up in the timeline after the events of Star Wars: The Clone Wars, following Maul’s survival and exile from the galaxy’s major power struggles. The animated series will reveal how Maul plans to rebuild his criminal syndicate on a remote world untouched by the Galactic Empire, setting the stage for new conflicts and power plays.

A Gritty New Setting: Janix

A major element introduced in the prequel comic — and likely to be pivotal in the show — is the planet Janix. Described as a neon-lit, shadow-soaked maze of corruption and crime, Janix lies beyond the Empire’s control.

This lawless world provides the backdrop for Maul’s machinations and introduces a world of underworld intrigue that’s different from the Jedi-vs-Sith battles typically seen in Star Wars storytelling.

New Characters Join the Saga

Alongside Maul himself, the prequel comic introduces new characters who help expand the universe and add human (and droid) perspectives to the story:

Captain Brander Lawson — A law enforcement figure trying to maintain order in the chaos of Janix.
Two Boots (a droid) — Lawson’s partner, providing both tactical support and narrative contrast in the planet’s morally gray landscape.

These characters promise to add depth to the universe’s criminal underworld while providing audiences grounded points of entry into Maul’s wider plans.

A Noir-Flavored Crime Story in a Galaxy Far, Far Away

According to the comic’s creative team, Star Wars: Shadow of Maul isn’t just sci-fi — it’s also a crime story. In their words, this is a narrative about “cops, criminal syndicates, and a neon-lit, shadow-alleyed city that hides many sins and secrets.”

This noir-influenced tone suggests the animated series may lean into moodier, grittier storytelling than many earlier Star Wars animated shows, focusing on the underbelly of the galaxy and the gray areas between law and lawlessness.

What Comes Next

The Star Wars: Shadow of Maul comic arrives in March 2026, setting up the universe and characters that will carry over into the Maul: Shadow Lord animated series later in the year. As the comic unfolds, it will provide fans their first extended look at Maul’s world and intentions before the television series makes its debut.

Stay tuned for more updates as both the comic and the animated show approach release!

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