One of the most dangerous enemies the Rebel Alliance faces inStar Warsis the ever-cunningGrand Admiral Thrawn. Not only is Thrawn a genius, but he is also a superb Imperial strategist who knows how to manipulate his foes and predict their future movements, making him nearly impossible to defeat. However, one comic reveals an opportunity for the villain to finally face his downfall.
Thrawn was first introduced in the 1991 novelHeir to the Empireby Timothy Zahn. The character became so popular that Zahn continued to write two more books that made up the“Thrawn Trilogy.”However, these books were written before 2014 and are now considered asStar Wars Legendscontinuity (Expanded Universe).
In 2014, Lucasfilm stated that anything created before that year—with the exception of the prequels, original movies, andStar Wars: The Clone Wars—was no longer canon in theStar Warsuniverse. Therefore,Thrawn’s status as a canon character was called into question, despite his popularity in the fandom.
Now Is the Perfect Opportunity for the Comics to Explore Thrawn’s Previous Defeat
Thrawn Was Ultimately His Own Downfall in Previous Stories
Thrawn was brought into canon in the 2018 comic miniseriesStar Wars: Thrawn—written by Jody Houser with art by Luke Ross. The series, set betweenRevenge of the SithandA New Hope, leads into Thrawn’s first on-screen appearance in Season 3 ofStar Wars: Rebels. Before Thrawn became a canon character, he was bested by a familiar hero in Legends continuity: Princess Leia. With theupcomingStar Warscomic by Alex Seguraset to feature Leia and take place directly afterReturn of the Jedi,now would be the perfect opportunity for the comics to incorporate Thrawn’s previous defeat.
In theStar Wars: Republiccomics by John Ostrander and Jan Duursema, Leia discovers that her father—Darth Vader—had used the Noghri species from the planet Honoghr, essentially enslaving them for the Empire under the pretense that the Empire would provide aid to Honoghr. After Vader’s death, Thrawn continued to lie to the Noghri and exploit them for his benefit. When Leia exposed Thrawn’s deception to the Noghri during her visit to Honoghr,it led to Honoghr supporting the New Republic and Thrawn’s ultimate assassination. Eliminating Thrawn from the equation was essential, as he posed a serious threat to the New Republic.
Luke Skywalker’s New Nemesis Has Major Connections To Both Thrawn & Darth Vader
Star Wars has revealed a new Imperial enemy following the Battle of Endor, one with connections to both Grand Admiral Thrawn and Darth Vader.
Thrawn’s Fate May Be Sealed in the New Republic Era
Grand Admiral Thrawn’s Enemies List Continues to Grow
Since Honoghr and the Noghri have yet to be brought intoStar Warscanon,Segura’sStar Warsprovides the perfect opportunity to explore the origins of the planet and species, as well as their deception by the Empire.In the current canon, Grand Admiral Thrawn was introduced in live-action in the Disney+ seriesAhsoka.After being stranded in wild space for over ten years due to Ezra Bridger’s actions during the Battle of Lothal (Star Wars: Rebels, Season 4), Thrawn finally returns to charted territory with a full army of Stormtroopers created by the Nightsisters' witches.
The introduction of Honoghr could easily bring a Legends plot into continuity, especially since Leia is set to play a major role in Segura’s upcoming series. Even if the comics do not follow through with Thrawn’s assassination, they can set the stage and build a foundation for the exploitation of the Noghri in a live-action adaptation. AsGrand Admiral Thrawnisthe primary enemy of Ezra Bridgerand the other rebels fromStar Wars: Rebels, adapting his downfall at their hands—perhaps in another season ofAhsoka—would be a very satisfying and fitting conclusion.
Admiral Thrawn Knew Darth Vader Was Anakin Skywalker (But He Was Too Smart To Admit It)
While Thrawn deduced Darth Vader was once the Jedi Anakin Skywalker, he was far too smart to outright reveal the truth to the Dark Lord.
Star Wars Rebels
Cast
Set between Episodes III and IV of the Star Wars film franchise, Star Wars Rebels is a canon animated series that follows a group of ragtag heroes who band together to face the Empire. In an age where the Galactic Empire is hunting down the last of the Jedi, a teenage outcast named Ezra Bridger is discovered to be force sensitive by a surviving Jedi known as Kanan Jarrus. Agreeing to join them and accept Jedi training, Ezra becomes a part of a small but growing crew of rebels determined to destroy the empire covertly.
Grand Admiral Thrawn
The only alien to ever ascend to the rank of Grand Admiral, Thrawn is a strategic genius who hails from an isolationist race known as the Chiss. Thrawn’s motives are enigmatic, but his tactical brilliance made him a vital asset for the Empire. Jedi Padawan Ezra Bridger successfully defeated Thrawn during the Battle of Lothal, resulting in Thrawn’s exile to the distant planet Peridea in another galaxy, but the Grand Admiral has now returned.
