TheStar Warsuniverse teems with a diverse array of creatures, spanning from benevolent allies to fearsome adversaries. While many species thrive within the pages of theStar Warscomics, they have yet to make their debut on the big or small screen. Among these, one particularly terrifying species of cannibalistic aliens truly stands out, captivating fans with their chilling presence.
As if their practice of ritualistic sacrifice and cannibalism isn’t bad enough, the Zanibar themselves are equally haunting in design….
TheStar Warsmovies and shows—both live-action and animated—have brought many lovable creatures to life, such as Porgs, Ewoks,and Loth-cats. Each of these has found a place in the fandom as beloved and adorable animals that have aided the heroes in their quests across the galaxy.
However, not all Star Wars creatures are kind, and the Zanibar are a perfect example. Introduced in the 1998 Dark Horse comicCrimson Empire II: Council of Blood#1, the Zanibar are nightmare fodder.
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The Zanibar First Appeared in the November 1998 Dark Horse Comics IssueCrimson Empire II: Council of Blood#1
Crimson Empire II: Council of Blood#1—written by Mike Richardson and Randy Stradley, with art by Paul Gulacy, Randy Emberlin, and Dave Stewart—is considered part of theStar Wars Legendscontinuityand is therefore not canon in theStar Warsuniverse. However, if the Zanibar alien species were ever brought into the current continuity—whether in live action, animation, or comics—it’s safe to say they would be among the most terrifying creatures inStar Warsas a whole.The Zanibar hail from the planet Xo in the Outer Rim, where they once lived alongside humans.However, humans eventually became extinct.
While the exact cause of human extinction on the planet Xo remains a mystery, it is possible that it was linked tothe Zanibar’s horrifying practice of sacrificing living beings and consuming their bodies. The Zanibar believed that by offering these sacrifices to their gods, they could ensure that their deities absorbed the life force of the victims, thereby gaining power and favor. To obtain more living creatures for their gruesome rituals, many Zanibar turned to the profession of bounty hunters, demanding payment not in currency but in sentient beings to serve as sacrifices.
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As if their practice of ritualistic sacrifice and cannibalism isn’t bad enough,the Zanibar themselves are equally haunting in design,with elongated blue faces marred by prominent veins and razor-sharp teeth. Their small black eyes are set deeply in their faces, which tend to roll back, and their noses are no more than open indentations. When capturing a living sacrifice, the Zanibar use their unnaturally long and pointed fingers to grasp their fully aware victim’s face, making the ordeal all the more harrowing for both the sacrifice and the reader.
In 2014, Lucasfilm stated that anyStar Warscontent outside the movies andStar Wars: The Clone Warsseries was no longer canon. This led to the creation of the Expanded Universe (EU), also known as Legends continuity, which includes anything published before 2014. Although the Zanibar falls into the Legends category, there is always a possibility that the films or shows will adapt these nightmarish creatures into current canon, just as other aspects of the pre-2014 continuity—most notably Grand Admiral Thrawn—have been adapted. The Zanibar would certainly make a frightening and epic addition to the officialStar Warscanon.
