The Sith Lords are finally out of the picture following the sequel trilogy, and now Star Wars needs a new threat. Luckily for them, they need look no further than their own comics for the perfect solution: rakghouls.
The zombie-like mutants known as rakghouls were first created by the Sith Lord Karness Muur. Muur craved a way to cheat death, like all Sith Lords, so he created a talisman that would store his very essence. Almost anyone who came near this talisman would be transformed into a rakghoul and forced to follow Muur's orders. However, Muur soon realized that Force-sensitives were exceptions to the talisman's reach. To combat this weakness, Muur created the "rakghoul plague," which made it so that any rakghoul bite or scratch would slowly transform its recipient into a rakghoul. The other Sith Lords eventually killed Muur, as they had grown fearful of his immense power, and although the rakghoul plague ran rampant for a long period of time, rakghouls eventually became extinct.
Star Wars' 2008 "Vector" event follows the history of the rakghoul throughout the millennia. In the fifth part of the "Vector" event, Star Wars: Dark Times #11, written by Mick Harrison with art by Doug Wheatley, Darth Vader unknowingly unleashes the ancient power of the rakghoul. Celeste Morne, a Jedi Knight, had been possessed by the Muur Talisman and had been locked in a stasis chamber to prevent the spread of the rakghoul plague. Four thousand years later, Darth Vader awakens her from her sleep, hoping to find an apprentice in an ancient Jedi. However, he also awakens the spirit of Karness Muur. Muur persuades Celeste to unleash the rakghoul plague in order to escape Vader, and all of Vader's stormtroopers instantly transform into rakghoul. Vader is shocked and quickly flees, leaving Celeste alone with a horde of loyal rakghoul and a Sith Lord whispering in her mind.
Although Darth Vader's first encounter with the rakghoul didn't go as planned, the mere concept provides a clear path toward Star Wars' next galaxy-threatening enemy. The rakghouls themselves are mindless, but with the right person holding the reins, they could prove to be incredibly dangerous. Celeste is able to harness Muur's spirit and control the rakghoul with a simple thought, and anyone who sustains an injury from a rakghoul is doomed to their ranks soon after. An army that forever replenishes itself, led by a Palpatine-style figure behind the scenes, could be catastrophic for anyone who dares to face them.
Although the sequel trilogy is complete, Star Wars shows on Disney+ have provided a more comprehensive viewpoint of the galaxy far, far away. Perhaps one day, the rakghouls might be introduced through one of these shows, and Star Wars fans everywhere can witness just how deadly they can be.
