Star Wars: Shadow Of Maul #1

CRITIC REVIEWS Back to Top

• 10

  Nerd Initiative - TravisComicHaven

  Mar 04, 2026

  This first issue of Shadow of Maul gives so much story development, but also leaves so many doors left open for curiosity. Which really hooks you into this story. I look forward to seeing what trouble Brander gets himself into as well, and the intentions of Maul on Janix. Read Full Review

• 9.3

  The Comic Book Spot - Adam Koppel

  Mar 05, 2026

  Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #1 is an engaging crime thriller in space with enough plot twists to short circuit an astromech droid. The two new leads make for promising potential foils as the former Sith Lord prepares to cast a dark shadow over Janix. The story and art are stunning. Read Full Review

• 9.0

  ComicBook.com - David Harth

  Mar 04, 2026

  Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #1 is Star Wars to its core. Percy builds us a cool character in Lawson, nails the kind of “hive of scum and villainy” that Star Wars fans love, and builds a page-turner of a story. Musabekov is outstanding; Percy works well with artists and Musabekov has the goods. I would have liked more Darth Maul in this issue, but this is the type of Star Wars story that fans will love. Read Full Review

• 9.0

  Fanlight Zone - Josh Allen

  Mar 04, 2026

  As far as first issues go, this one is a smash hit that has me even more excited for the rest of the series. Benjamin Percy pens a masterpiece of a story alongside spectacular artwork from Madibek Musabekov & Luis Guerrero! If you’re a prequels, Clone Wars or Star Wars fan, you do NOT want to pass up on! Read Full Review

• 9.0

  Capes & Tights - Justin Soderberg

  Mar 06, 2026

  Star Wars: Shadow of Maul is an incredible and suspenseful addition to the Star Wars universe by Benjamin Percy with stellar illustrations from Madibek Musabekov. The creative team nails the Star Wars vibe and gives us so much to look forward to in the rest of the series. A great prelude to the upcoming television series. Read Full Review

• 8.6

  Comic Watch - Chad Burdette

  Mar 10, 2026

  Star Wars: Maul – Shadow Lord #1, gives little panel time to the titular character,  but still hits all the right beats in setting up the story to come. Read Full Review

• 8.0

  AIPT - David Brooke

  Mar 04, 2026

  Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #1 succeeds as a focused, noir-leaning police drama set in the galaxy far, far away. Percy builds tension through Captain Lawson’s mounting pressure, while Musabekov and Guerrero deliver moody cityscapes and gnarly alien threats that give the book texture and grit. The procedural framework helps it stand apart from more Force-heavy Star Wars stories, and the squad dynamics promise complications ahead. Maul remains largely in the shadows for now, but the atmosphere, character work, and visual punch make this a strong opening chapter that justifies the ride. Read Full Review

• 8.0

  Comic Book Clique - Frank Jarome

  Mar 05, 2026

  I am looking forward to seeing where the rest of this series goes. It has me more excited for the launch of the Disney+ series in April. If that is not the job of a prequel story, which is to get the reader more excited for the series proper, then what is? Read Full Review

• 8.0

  The Fandom Post - Chris Beveridge

  Mar 18, 2026

  With five issues, I can imagine some folks are disappointed there isn’t more Maul here, but it’s an effective opening chapter to set the stage for the series. I like the overall presentation, and that it feels more “serious” than some other ways it could have gone by being all space opera. Which, of course, Star Wars is. But it can also be more and I definitely appreciate the more measured approach here that gives us a character we can latch onto with Lawson, even as we don’t get a lot about him personally. I like everything here, but like any series of this nature, you have to hedge your bets a little while waiting to see what it’s going to do, and how it’s going to tie in. Read Full Review