The Darth Vader has just returned to the Jedi's original homeworld. And what he's about to find... could mean big things for the larger Star Wars lore.
For the casual fans of the galaxy far, far away, it might seem like an obvious question: the planet Tython.
The scene arrives in the issue of Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #40, concluding the series this Wednesday, December 11th. After setting its heroine up to give Darth Vader the information he's been seeking -- the location of the Rebels' Hoth base prior to The Empire Strikes Back -- Marvel's official preview delivers a twist. The snowy backdrop isn't Hoth at all, meaning Aphra has lured Vader to the secluded Tython, teasing more of the old Star Wars lore being added back into canon. Take a look at the pages below:
In 2012, the planet Tython was named the birthplace of the Jedi Order in the Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi comic series. Nobody knows who first inhabited the planet Tython, but in the year 36,453 BBY, pyramidal Force temples across the universe transformed into ships, welcomed nearby beings aboard, and transported them all to Tython. They and their descendants made a home on the Force-attuned planet orbited by twin moons, Ashla and Bogan, which would symbolize the light and dark sides of the Force.
Eventually they would formalize their society into the Je'daii, the Ancient forerunners of the Jedi Order (once they waged the inevitable Force Wars against those among them who preferred the dark side). Like all existing stories within the Star Wars expanded universe, this origin was asterisked as a Legend, until a time it was either refuted or re-confirmed. If Aphra's father name-dropping Tython's 'Martyrium of Frozen Tears' as a site he always hoped to discover seemed exciting, then Aphra tricking Vader onto the planet should send alarm bells ringing. But just how much lore are Si Spurrier, Caspar Wijngaard and co. about to drop?
It seems Doctor Aphra's current series may just end on a bombshell or two, especially for fans of the Je'daii and the Jedi. The new relaunch from the team will begin with Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #1 this coming April. Before then, see Aphra's story wrapped up as part of the one-shot Empire Ascendant coming in December. Until the full issue arrives on Wednesday, check out the full solicitation details and plot synopsis below:
- STAR WARS: DOCTOR APHRA #40
- Release Date: December 11th, 2019
- Written by: Si Spurrier
- Art by: Caspar Wijngaard
- Cover Art by: Ashley Witter
- A ROGUE'S END, Part 4. All good things must come to an end. Unfortunately, so must all evil things. And probably also all things somewhere-in-the-middle-it's-complicated. Renegade archaeologist DOCTOR APHRA has been outrunning fate far longer than anyone dared hope. But her time is finally up. DARTH VADER stalks her through the shadows of an ancient temple, and this time? Only one of them will be leaving in one piece.
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #40 arrives in your local comic book shop on December 11th, 2019. The new Doctor Aphra series will relaunch in April 2020.
