Who Is the One Person the Sith Fear More Than the Jedi?

Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: A New Legacy #1! In the expansive universe of Star Wars, even casual aficionados understand the deep-seated enmity between the Sith and the Jedi. For centuries, these two factions have been locked in a brutal struggle for dominance, effectively leading to the near annihilation of the Sith during the periods extending from the Old Republic to the events of The Phantom Menace. This era of relative peace for the Jedi suggests that the Sith harbor substantial trepidation regarding their counterparts. Yet, there exists a singular figure whose presence strikes even deeper fear into the hearts of the Sith: Emperor Palpatine.

In Star Wars: A New Legacy #1, titled “The Grand Imperial Jubilee” and crafted by Charles Soule and Ramon Rosanas, the notorious Doctor Aphra and her accomplice, Sana, plot a high-stakes heist. The backdrop of their scheme revolves around a lavish gala hosted by the Emperor, celebrating his ascent to the position of Supreme Chancellor—a pivotal moment that solidified his tyrannical reign. This gala not only boasts a prestigious guest list but also showcases invaluable artworks, including the notorious Mask of Darth Momin.

Before Aphra could enact her theft, a wandering Stormtrooper accidentally stumbled upon the Mask of Darth Momin. Unbeknownst to him, the mask exuded a powerful dark side energy, compelling him to wear it. Upon donning the mask, the malevolent spirit of Darth Momin was resurrected, seeking vengeance at the very party where one of his artworks was being showcased—but without appropriate attribution, provoking his fury.

Palpatine’s Disrespect Towards Darth Momin: A Reflection of His Broader Offenses Against the Sith

The Heretical Nature of Palpatine: Manipulating the Sith Legacy and Inflicting Suffering

Palpatine’s failure to credit Darth Momin as the original artist serves as a minor illustration, yet it sheds light on his broader dismissal of the Sith legacy. Dubbed a Sith Heretic, Palpatine cherry-picks which aspects of the Sith doctrine to endorse while blatantly rejecting others. His very survival alongside this betrayal starkly offends the historical significance of the Sith.

This manipulation is evident as Palpatine inflicts emotional and physical torment upon the Sith that far surpasses any Jedi’s actions. Consider the plight of Darth Momin—only a fragment of a larger narrative where Palpatine’s influence has caused immense suffering. Figures such as Darth Maul and Count Dooku have endured significant hardship due to his machinations, while even the esteemed Darth Plagueis met his demise at Palpatine’s hands. Darth Vader, too, remained in Palpatine’s orbit due to the oppression that he believed would ultimately render him stronger.

Emperor Palpatine: The ‘Joker’ of the Star Wars Universe

Palpatine’s Harmful Role: A Disturbing Paralleling with DC’s Joker

Strikingly, Emperor Palpatine can be likened to the ‘Joker’ of the Star Wars universe. This unexpected analogy highlights how, akin to the Joker’s detrimental impact on Gotham’s villains, Palpatine has proven to be more destructive to Sith lords than any Jedi could ever aspire to be. By undermining Sith identity and perpetuating their suffering, Palpatine embodies a unique antagonistic role that irrevocably damages their dark side philosophy.

While the Joker comparison may sound peculiar, it aptly encapsulates the thematic implications of Palpatine’s actions. In examining the latest developments in the Star Wars canon, it becomes abundantly clear that Palpatine’s disrespect towards Sith tradition is most pernicious. His erasure of Darth Momin serves as a microcosm for the broader degradation of the Sith culture, affirming that when it comes to fear, the one figure that poses the greatest threat to the Sith is none other than Emperor Palpatine himself.

Star Wars: A New Legacy #1 is currently available from Marvel Comics.

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