Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising #1-3Star Warshas introduced an impressive roster of new villains who could have only emerged afterEmperor Palpatine’sdemise inReturn of the Jedi. As seen in Marvel Comics' new and canonical series, set in the immediate aftermath of the Battle of Endor, the Empire is reeling from the destruction of the second Death Star and the massive loss in leadership with the deaths of both Palpatine and Darth Vader. To that end, new threats have emerged in defiance of the Rebellion-turned-New Republic.
As seen thus far in Alex Segura and Leonard Kirk’sStar Wars: Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising #1-3, some surviving Imperial leaders have been following the posthumous orders left behind by Palpatine in the event of his death, known asOperation Cinder. However, others have chosen to act as if the Empire is still thriving and not on the cusp of absolute defeat, while others still have chosen to serve nothing more than the dark side itself. To that end,here are the newStar Warsvillains who have risen in this new era of theStar Warstimeline, many of whom could only have risen to power once Palpatine was (seemingly) no more.
New Star Wars Villains Are Coming Out Of The Woodwork After Return of the Jedi
Where Were They During The Original Trilogy?
Star Wars: Battle of Jakkufeatures several new villains, some of whom debuted in previousStar Warsmedia. This notably includes Councilor Gallius Rax, Palpatine’s protégé, who was tasked with ensuring Operation Cinder was carried out and the future of the Empire secured according to the Emperor’s designs. Likewise, Grand Admiral Rae Sloane aided Rax with Operation Cinder and its various bombardment campaigns across the galaxy, having been in command of the bulk of the surviving Imperial Navy following Endor. There’s also Yupe Tashu, once a member of Palpatine’s inner circle and now the leader of a dark side cult known as the Acolytes of the Beyond.
Star Wars Explains How the Empire Broke into 3 Key Factions After Return of the Jedi
In the immediate aftermath of Return of the Jedi, it’s been revealed that the Empire split into three key factions following the Battle of Endor.
Battle of Jakkualso debuts several new villains to theStar Warscanon such asMoff Adelhard and Commander Braghwho have locked down the Anoat Sector with an Iron Blockade as the Moff has chosen to live in desperate denial, refusing to let his sector accept that the Empire has suffered major losses.Likewise, there’s also the long-lived Anzati Reyna Oskure and Yuan Howzell, both of whom are serving the interests of the Acolytes of the Beyond. Furthermore,a brand-new hooded and red lightsaber-wielding Inquisitor has just made their debutamong Adelhard’s forces as well.
An Imperial Power Vacuum Makes Perfect Sense Following Palpatine’s Death
A Shattered Empire Creating Several New Threats
When it comes to addressing the question of where all these new villains were duringthe originalStar Warstrilogy of the Galactic Civil War, the shorter and easier answer is that they had yet to be created.That said, the more complex and in-universe answer is that many of these newly introduced characters were indeed part of the Empire during the original trilogy. However, none of them were truly given the chance to rise in power and become the leading figures they now are when Palpatine and Darth Vader were still alive in charge.
“All of these new villains are rising to greater prominence, particularly in Palpatine’s absence…”
Now, the Empire has been fractured and a resulting power vacuum has been generated.As such, all of these new villains are rising to greater prominence, particularly in Palpatine’s absence. While some of these foes' fates are already known, it’s going to be fascinating to learn what happens to all of these newStar Warsvillains and their conflicts with the New Republic as this new series continues in the aftermath ofReturn of the Jedi.
Star Wars: Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising #1-3are on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
Cast
Return of the Jedi concludes George Lucas’s original Star Wars trilogy with Luke Skywalker and his allies seeking to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt and facing a renewed threat as the Emperor attempts to obliterate the Rebellion through a second Death Star, broadening the epic battle between good and evil.
