WARNING: The following contains spoilers for the Star Wars: Age of Resistance Special, from Tom Taylor, Matteo Buffagni, Chris O'Halloran and VC's Travis Lanham, on sale now.
Despite her limited screen time, Maz Kanata emerged a fan favorite from 2015's Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Played by Lupita Nyong'o, Maz is a Force-sensitive relic collector who shared a history as a smuggler with Han Solo and Chewbacca. The film referenced a famous adventure in which they nearly lost their lives, but the threat of the First Order left little time to elaborate on the story.
However, the latest Age of Resistance one-shot in Marvel's Star Wars comic line finally reveals details of this mission, demonstrating how much of a soldier Maz is.
Set decades before the events of The Force Awakens, "Maz's Scoundrels" depicts Maz and a much younger Han and Chewie pursuing First Order loyalists. In the Wild Space sector, they hunt Baron Somareeva, who stole something from Maz, leading her to recruit some muscle. And by sweetening the deal with a big payday, she enlists Han and Chewie.
They head to a mysterious ice planet, dock the Millennium Falcon and use ground transport to retrieve the item, coming under heavy fire along the way. It wouldn't be a Han mission if it weren't difficult, after all, but using their wits the trio infiltrates Sonareeva's base. Despite being outnumbered, Maz has a trump card in the form of Chewie, who turns livid when he realizes Sonareeva is wearing a fur coat made from a Wookiee.
Han's "furball" unleashes hell, and Maz jumps onto his back, firing guns in a way similar to Rocket Raccoon and Groot. Han joins the firefight a little late, but helps to mop the floor with the thieves. Maz even hints Chewie claimed Sonareeva's head in retaliation for his Wookiee coat.
As the dust clears, Maz apologizes to a grieving Chewbacca as he holds the pelt, and him and Han more than they negotiated. Maz doesn't believe in getting the job done at bargain price; she wants to pay extra due to the importance of the artifact. Han is curious to know what compelled Maz to risk her life like this as she opens a box to reveal a helmet.
She tells them it's ironic they're asking questions, because the person who wore it -- a Sith servant. It's appears this is the helmet worn by the Grand Inquisitor as seen on Star Wars Rebels. That hints there may have been other Inquisitors who ended up being trophies Maz would hunt down, all as part of her documenting history. Sure, she also stored other objects like Luke Skywalker's lightsaber, but she knew items from the Dark Side had to be contained as well. Supreme Leader Snoke wanted the helmet stolen, but, as Maz told us, while she's small, she's full of surprises.