Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Jedi Knights #5
Although it’s been teased and heavily suggested for some time,Star Warshas doubled down on the fact thatPalpatinereally couldn’t care less about theSith’s Rule of Two. Forging his own Empire after a decades-long plot to eradicate the Jedi Order, it can’t be denied that Palpatine’s power in the dark side was impressive. However, many of his actions would have been viewed as heretical by previous generations of Sith Lords.
In Marvel’s canonicalJedi Knightsseries by Marc Guggenheim and Madibek Musabekov, various members of the Jedi Order embark on various missions in the years precedingThe Phantom Menace. There’s also an overarching narrative wherea mysterious assassin is hunting Qui-Gon Jinn.However, the newJedi Knights #5features none other than Count Dooku, revealing a dark confirmation about his life after leaving the Jedi.
Star Wars Confirms Dooku Served Palpatine Before The Phantom Menace
Protecting the Interests of the Trade Federation
Joined by new Jedi Knight Seera Longa,Jedi Master Yaddleis sent to mediate a dispute between the Trade Federation and the Gillanter Corporation.However, the Jedi soon come face-to-face with Dooku, who’d been asked by a “friend” of the Trade Federation to look after their interests. Despite having left the Jedi Order years prior, Dooku is still recognized by Yaddle as a friend to the Jedi Order.
However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Once Gillanter is revealed to be a front for a criminal organization, Dooku is captured by a group of their Wookiee mercenaries, revealing to his captors that he’s in league with someone who’s in league with the Trade Federation for something they’re planning.Naturally, this is Palpatine, confirming that Dooku is already serving as Darth Sidious' newest disciple in secret.
This Means Dooku and Maul Were Palpatine’s Apprentices At The Same Time
Violating The Sith’s Rule of Two
TheTales of the Jedianimated series saw Dooku working with Sidious duringThe Phantom Menace.This was where Dooku committed to the dark side by killing Yaddle, a murder this newStar Warscomic makes even worse.However, this new issue confirms Dooku was in league with Palpatine well before Episode I, meaning that he was learning from Sidious while Darth Maul was still alive as Palpatine’s apprentice.
It’s a clear violation of theRule of Two established by Darth Bane generations prior, mandating that the dark side should be centralized within a singular master and apprentice, one to hold the power and the other to crave it. However, Palpatine has proven throughout theStar Warscanon that he didn’t follow the traditions of the Sith, especially if he felt breaking the rules would grant him additional power.
Palpatine was very much a Sith heretic, and this new comic cements that idea even further by confirming he had both Dooku and Maul working for him simultaneously beforeThe Phantom Menace.
Star Wars: Jedi Knights #5is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
