In this review of Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #3, Captain Brander Lawson is in more trouble with local law enforcement than he is with the gangsters he’s been investigating. On top of that he’s being targeted for some reason (there are many).
STAR WARS: SHADOW OF MAUL #3
Writer: BENJAMIN PERCY
Artist: MADIBEK MUSABEKOV
Main Cover: DERRICK CHEW
Variant Covers: AKA, ERIK M. GIST, YASMINE PUTRI
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 4/8/2026
This review contains spoilers
Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #3 picks up with Brander Lawson’s inner monologue as he reviews recent events for clues to both the deaths of two of his three new recruits and whether he is on the hit list too. Lawson moves through the bustling marketplace on Janix when he catches a glimpse of an assassin, who also happens to be the third new recruit, Fraxmoor. Lawson disarms and chases Fraxmoor, but the would-be assassin is struck by a civilian driver and is killed.
Later Lawson returns home, hoping to spend some bonding time with his son Rylee. The place is empty, but there is a pounding on his door from Internal Investigations officer Clariveen Ruhl with some questions for Lawson regarding the recent deaths of Lawson’s recruits, plus a missing officer named Spinson Taryk. Lawson protests, claiming he doesn’t know Taryk, but offers to surrender, notifying Two-Boots to track him.
Meanwhile outside Lawson’s door, a gas grenade takes out Ruhl and his officers. Lawson is caught off guard when he finds the unconscious men, but he is also knocked out. Lawson awakens, hanging upside down, facing ruthless smuggler Vario, in his large mech suit. Smirking, Vario gloats, but tells Lawson that Ruhl and his men were moved to a bar and leaked fabricated incriminating footage to simulate a wild night.
Vario thanks Lawson for the tip about the stolen credits, warns him not to be too good at his job and leaves Lawson literally hanging. Two-Boots eventually arrives and frees Lawson, who is frustrated that someone might be targeting him from inside the department.
Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #3 ends at the Janix scrapyards as Darth Maul and his gang interrogate missing officer Spinson Taryk for information and access to crime boss Nico Deemis’ accounts. A defiant Taryk is threatened with slow death for not cooperating, courtesy of Maul himself.
Analysis
Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #3 moves swiftly, raising the stakes and placing some characters in peril, although those who have kept up with Maul: Shadow Lord, know the fates of several characters already. That foreknowledge doesn’t entirely reduce the suspense or the surprises from writer Ben Percy. The clever script fills in the characters’ backstories, especially for lead character and series MVP Brander Lawson.
The piling on of danger, frustrating betrayals and hassles from his own peers forces Lawson into a tight corner (and that’s before Maul: Shadow Lord takes things to another level). The unexpected reveal of Vario as both helper and antagonist in Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #3 is a pleasant surprise, as the crime boss/smuggler delights in Lawson’s predicament while paying a perceived debt to the good captain.
Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #3 has plenty of film noir tropes and clever one-liners (which is also a trope of film noir). The shadowy conspiracies, dangerous meetups, flawed heroes in peril with a sad homelife make Lawson a rounded and sympathetic character. Maul himself makes a bigger appearance, and while a little goes a long way with the character, and despite Maul’s name in the title, this is Lawson’s story.
Artist Madibek Musabekov continues to dazzle with amazing artwork that captures the seedy trappings of Janix, the cool action sequences with Lawson and Fraxmoor, and the physical comedy from Two-Boots’ rescue of Lawson. The use of shadow and silhouette amps up the eerie atmosphere and Musabekov’s knack for facial expressions adds depth and emotion to the story.
Percy’s script also benefits from Musabekov’s use of sequential storytelling which allows scenes to stretch out across multiple panels to build out the tension and comedy.
Final Thoughts
Star Wars: Shadow of Maul #3 offers more thrills, high stakes, character moments, humor and noir tropes. The miniseries more than stands on its own merit. That being said, reading this prequel comic does enhance the enjoyment of the Disney+ animated series. The script and artwork are top notch.
