Star Wars Just Rewrote the History of Darth Vader vs. Darth Maul

Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord finally gives its titular villain a rematch with Darth Vader that most fans didn't even realize they were due for.

The Season 1 finale of Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord, "The Dark Lord," has officially arrived to bring the hit animated series' first season to a close in about as epic a fashion as audiences could have hoped to see. Not only did "The Dark Lord" see Maul and (some of) his unlikely allies escape their dreaded pursuers, it even gave the titular villain a chance to stand against none other than Darth Vader for the first time in more than 20 years.

Darth Maul and Darth Vader's Last One-on-One Duel — Explained

Darth Maul and Darth Vader first crossed paths all the way back in 2001's Star Wars Tales #9 in the story "Resurrection" by writer Ron Marz and artists Rick Leonardi, Terry Austin, and Raul Trevino. The story saw Darth Vader finally reach the volcanic moon Kalakar Six, where he was hoping he could recover the Death Star plans from unwitting Rebels.

Unfortunately for him, Vader only found the ominous Prophets of the Dark Side, an ancient cult dedicated more to themselves than the Emperor or even the Dark Side itself. Worse still, Vader came face-to-face with Darth Maul, who had been resurrected through the power of the Dark Side by the Prophets, all in an effort to see the Dathomirian Zabrak cut him down and usurp his place at the Emperor's right hand.

Unsurprisingly, Darth Vader was ultimately victorious over the resurrected Maul, who was cut down all over again for his troubles. That being said, Dark Horse Comics' Star Wars Tales is one of dozens of titles that have been relegated to non-canon Legends status following Disney's acquisition of the franchise.

How Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord Reimagines Maul and Vader's First Fight

Now, Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord has provided fans with another bout of combat between the two Sith powerhouses, albeit under far different circumstances. This time around, Vader and his Inquisitors have hunted Maul and his eclectic party down after crossing paths in the aftermath of Order 66.

Apart from upping the ante to a drastic degree by giving Darth Vader a veritable army to stand alongside him, Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord also pits a still vulnerable Maul against his fellow Sith Lord during the latter's heyday. Thankfully for Maul and fans alike, Vader and the Inquisitors are unable to keep the titular villain and his allies from making their escape from the harshest terrain that Janix has to offer, even if not everyone on both sides of the battle survived.

With Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord officially renewed for a second season at Disney+, there is even a chance that fans will get to see Maul and Vader battle one another a second (or third) time around. Then again, considering how little space there is left to explore in the gaps between other entries in the franchise, it may be better for Darth Maul if they don't.

Star Wars: Maul — Shadow Lord is currently available for streaming on Disney+.