Marvel Comics Reveals The True Origin of The Death Star

SPOILER WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Star Wars: Thrawn #6, by Jody Houser, Luke Ross, Nolan Woodward, Clayton Cowles and Travis Lanham, on sale now.

Timothy Zahn's Thrawn novel has been the guiding light for Marvel Comics' Star Wars: Thrawn from Jody Houser and Luke Ross. It's been adapted to give readers further insight into the tactical genius from the Expanded Universe, who was made canon when he was introduced in Season 3 of Star Wars Rebels.

These books dive deep into his backstory, how he came to work for Empire and also, how quickly he's been ascending the ladder, gaining the favor of Emperor Palpatine. Issue #6 though, the miniseries' finale, puts into perspective everything about the character, his overall motivations, and shockingly, his noble aspirations for the galaxy.

As he investigates his own employers to find out if he's chosen the right side, Thrawn's journey manages to uncover the origin of the Death Star.

This weapon intimidated outer space in 1977's A New Hope and Return of the Jedi. Rogue One proceeded to go further back, detailing its design flaw and how the rebels got the information needed to destroy it. However, the early days of its actual creation were relatively shrouded in mystery, until now.

This issue opens up with Thrawn meeting the criminal smuggler known as the Nightswan on Batonn. Thrawn was sent there to quell insurgency and to stop illegal operations, but he's organized this secret meeting to broker a treaty. Thrawn wants Nightswan to work for him and his Chiss brethren, as he holds loyalty to them first over the Empire.

However, Nightswan tells Thrawn he doesn't trust anyone, especially someone who belongs to the Emperor. In their conversation on morality, the Admiral reveals he knows of the Mining Guild and Nightswan's role with it, harvesting metal ores for black market sales.

Nightswan admits to the charges, indicating smuggling helps feed the poor, but there's an added bonus: Selling to the rebels aids the fight against the Empire's oppression. The criminal reveals Thrawn's superiors are building a secret weapon, all the more reason Nightswan thinks he's on the right side. He may not officially be in the Rebel Alliance, but he's doing his part, as Ross' art illustrates the early construction work on the planet destroyer.

He further elaborates on private mining ventures being taken over, shady deals Palpatine and Co. are striking all over the galaxy, and smugglers being bought out just so more metal can be fed into the building process. In other words, Palpatine has monopolized the market, while many suppliers remain none the wiser as to what they're helping build. This confirms Thrawn's suspicions his boss was up to something very dangerous.

Eventually, both men part ways out of respect for each other, only for Nightswan to die soon after in a space assault by the Empire. Saddened but still filled with purpose, Thrawn heads to Coruscant to be rewarded by Palpatine and there he finally meets Darth Vader (he already spent time with him as Anakin in the past).

Thrawn shockingly calls out the Emperor on the weapon, worried it might be used on innocent planets such as his homeworld. The Sith Lord reassures him this is not so, although Thrawn is a bit skeptical.

Nonetheless, he believes Palpatine and more so, that his reign of oppression is bringing order to the galaxy. The meeting ends on a peaceful note, with Palpatine asking Thrawn to help oversee the glory days to come. The Emperor is clearly playing to Thrawn's ego, which is now fixated on heading to Lothal to face Ezra Bridger and his squadron, firmly thinking he is indeed part of the greater good.

CBR

Marvel Comics Has Revealed The True Origin of The Death Star