Asajj Ventress Returns To Star Wars After Long Hiatus
Warning! Spoilers for Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser – Halcyon Legacy #1
Fan favorite character Asajj Ventress has returned to Star Wars comics following a long hiatus. Since the Disney era of the franchise began, Ventress hasn’t appeared many times despite her popularity.
Originally introduced in the 2003 animated micro-series Clone Wars by Genndy Tartakovsky, Asajj Ventress quickly became a defining part of the story between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. She played a sizable role in ongoing comics within the expanded universe, which continued to develop and deepen her character. Eventually joining Dave Filoni’s version of The Clone Wars, never-produced episodes prevented fans from seeing her journey come to a close. Since the Disney era of Star Wars began, she’s only popped up a few times, most notably in the novel, Dooku: Jedi Lost. However, she makes her return to comics in Star Wars: Galactic Starcruiser – Halcyon Legacy #1, written by Ethan Sacks with art by Will Sliney, featuring a cover by E.M. Gist.
The issue opens with a flashback to the Clone Wars as Asajj Ventress fights Anakin Skywalker, wielding her signature two red lightsabers. Padme watches as Anakin is caught in a duel with the first person he ever used the dark side against during a fight in Legends. Wearing a costume resembling his uniform from Filoni’s The Clone Wars, and featuring his scar across his face, the scene gives an idea of when it is set during the prequels.
Ventress' reappearance could signal a more significant role in the future, as the limited is meant to tie into Disney’s Starcruiser Hotel, and didn’t require her involvement. From all of the various scenarios specific to the Clone Wars, it could say something that she was chosen to appear instead of Count Dooku or General Grievous. Fans had vocalized their desire to see her appear in new canon, as she only showed up in Jedi Lost. Although she exists, there hasn’t been nearly as much for her to do, as she played a crucial role in Legends.
In recent years, Star Wars comics have filled the gaps between movies, elaborating on characters who had loose ends to tie up. Joining Crimson Dawn, Ochi, the Knights of Ren, and a few others, Asajj Ventress also deserves for her story to be expanded. Comics have frequently included flashbacks to the Clone Wars, which would make for a fitting continuation of her story beyond the animated series.