Max reunites with Mace Windu for the exciting conclusion to his Star Wars miniseries from Marvel Comics. Will the Force be with him?
The thrilling conclusion to the Mace Windu comic miniseries delivers something I haven’t seen in a while. Mace Windu #4 ends the brief pre-Phantom Menace deep dive into the polarizing and (arguably) controversial Jedi Master Mace Windu. Let’s say it gets… interesting. I previously complained that Issue 3 felt more like filler. It’s a side story, not progressing the plot, and devoid of action or character growth. However, Issue 4 gave me a sense of ambiguity and mystique that has been hard to come by in Star Wars lately.
Mace Windu has never been my favorite Jedi. I am often quite critical of him as I feel he is partially responsible for the fall of the Jedi Order…from a certain point of view. Windu’s empathy also seems to be forced. When push comes to shove, he will violate the Jedi Code if he feels it will serve a “higher” purpose. He is also generally standoffish, rigid, and cold. He’s not someone I would rely on to save me from a dangerous situation. This may seem a bit harsh as he does show some traits of a quintessential Jedi. However, it’s the little chinks in the armor that seem always to break through.
THIEF FOR HIRE
Anyway, back to the story. Mace desperately tries to safely deliver his fellow Haruun Kalian, Azita Cruuz, a thief for hire, to the Jedi Order. She holds vital information. The formula for Coaxium Ultra is a super-charged type of hyperfuel. It sounds impressive, but it is also arguably a McGuffin. Mace and Azita barely have any chemistry (but that is intentional.) They are being prevented from entering Azita’s ship by a group of religious zealots called the Dusk Weavers. The Dusk Weavers HATE anything technological (kind of like the Yuuzhan Vong). They seek to return the galaxy to the Industrial Age? by making a big boom with the Coaxium formula.
So, they want technology to destroy technology? It seems pretty hypocritical to me, and Windu shares this opinion, calling them on the carpet for being computer-literate. Honestly, the galaxy only exists because of technology. Without hyperdrives, the galaxy’s planets are essentially dead in the water. Perhaps this lack of logic is a boon to the story. It’s kind of like Flat Earthers here on Earth. It’s a very realistic portrayal of religious groups full of it.
THE SHROUD
The strength of this comic doesn’t lie in the arbitrary fight scenes that Mace engages in. It is genuinely the mystique of the Reaver’s leader, a Devaronian named The Shroud. The Shroud thinks he knows more about the Force than Mace, and….he’s right?! No seriously. Something is odd about this being. He claims to have seen past the light and dark sides of the Force and even declares that the Force is his. I have never encountered a character like him in all my years of reading (and watching) Star Wars. He has more than just fancy words to back up his claims, and his abilities seem….unnatural.
I think this guy is onto something about the Force. He knows something that perhaps could have saved the Jedi from destruction. This brief comic opens up a new dimension to the Force that I hope Disney takes time to explore.
VERDICT
The ambiguity, the cliffhanger ending, the mystery, It’s all so intoxicating to me. I want more. I want to see the Shroud again. The character foil between Azita and Mace has worn out, but I don’t care (in light of this latest revelation)! I will say that some of the Mace Windu bullcrap DID bleed through as he questions why Azita didn’t kill one of the Dust Weavers she had defeated. “I’m not a killer!” she says. Well, at least someone isn’t. We will learn that in 13 years, Mace will show his ruthless side again in the heat of battle. I’m glad the author inserted it here as a tremendous foreshadowing effect.
Just great. As I said. I want more.
Star Wars: Mace Windu #4 is published by Marvel Comics and is available to buy now.
FORCE FACTS
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The Dusk Weaver wields a very odd weapon that Mace is astounded can survive lightsaber blows. I am quite astounded as well. It bears some resemblance to an electro-staff, but it’s more of a simple metal pole with green electricity. coruscating around it. It was implied to be natural, and I can only guess it uses some type of biotech or mystical Force magick. Whatever it is, it’s pretty cool!
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Azita has heat vision goggles. Dope
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I’m not going to spoil the Shroud, but he is definitely a Force User, just not in the conventional sense. He appears to be a juggernaut in the Force, nigh impregnable and unstoppable. Truly a mystery.
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We never get to see what the Coaxium Ultra looks like or can do. That IS actually NOT a bad thing
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Mace Windu suggests he and Azita take a trip together to Haruun Kal. Huh? It’s kind of weird that Mace would want to take a trip with her. It just strikes me as inappropriate. I hope Windu doesn’t have a crush on her, lol.
Max Nocerino is a regular Staff Writer for The Future of the Force. He is a passionate Star Wars fan and loves the literature of the galaxy far, far away. Follow him on Twitter where he shares his love of the Force frequently!
