(An Attempt at) A Maul Masterlist
hello folks! after seeing multiple requests in the tag for recs for Maul content or help finding Maul stories, I decided to make a list trying to do both for everything I've found because it took me a lot of searching to figure out what's actually out there for this man. and the answer is a lot, actually. So, hoping this saves others the time and the struggle, here's all the Maul stuff i've found along with what I would rec and why:
Stuff specifically about Maul
Books:
Episode 1 Adventures 3: The Fury of Darth Maul
by Ryder Windham | junior novella
As far as I'm aware, this is the first published work for Maul. It's a junior novel about Maul carrying out a mission for Sidious, and it can be accompanied by a game book for a choose-your-own adventure. The novel itself though, is one of my favorite Maul stories because it defines his characterization for me.
The Wrath of Darth Maul
also by Ryder Windham | junior novel
Maul's og origin in Legends. I think it's a must-read. This book was published alongside Maul's revival in TCW and seeks to reconcile his Legends background with that character by gathering his previous lore into one cohesive story. It notably includes and expands upon the events of the following three items:
Star Wars Episode 1 Journal: Darth Maul
by either Judy Blundell or Jude Watson | novella
A story that offers some of Maul's narration on his upbringing and his training with Sidious.
"Darth Maul: Restraint"
by James Luceno | short story
Published in the second edition of Shadow Hunter (listed below), this story details Maul's time at Orsis Academy, the relationships he's forming, and his run-in with Mother Talzin. Great for showing his inner-conflict and devotion to Sidious.
"Darth Maul: Endgame"
also by James Luceno | short story
This one is published in the paperback 2012 edition of TPM novel by Terry Brooks. It's an introspective piece that takes place after Qui-Gon, Anakin, and Obi-Wan escape Maul's attack on Tatooine.
Darth Maul: Saboteur
also ALSO by James Luceno | short story
Originally published as an ebook, this story was also published in Shadow Hunter. It follows Maul on one of his first missions as a true apprentice of Sidious and shows his characterization when he's just outside that restrictive control. I really like this one for the Drama and the Subtle Characterization tm
Darth Maul: Shadow Hunter
by Michael Reaves | novel
One of the two blessed full novels for Maul. In it Maul is on a mission to hunt down a target and has a very early encounter with the Jedi. This one is great for characterization and narration; I have it fully marked up with highlights, sticky notes, and bookmarks.
Maul: Lockdown
by Joe Schreiber | novel
The second blessed full novel. So. Much. Fun. Maul goes to jail! Takes part in cage fights! Chases birds! Reveals the depths of his anxiety and need for attachment! Mystery and gore! 10/10.
"An Unwilling Apprentice"
by George Mann | short story, found in the Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge edition of Myths and Fables
Maul's canon origin. Personally, I Do Not See It.
Stories of Jedi and Sith - "The Ghosts of Maul"
by Michael Moreci | short story in the listed anthology
I highly recommend listening to the audio book for this one if you can. Sam Witwer narrates it and it's fantastic. Love hearing Maul wail in despair. (and also love a man being haunted by his past.)
The next two are unique because they're re-tellings of TCW episodes. I like seeing how different writers interpret those events so I like them, but I don't know if that counts as something folks would want to read for Maul.
The Clone Wars: Stories of Light and Dark - "Dark Vengeance"
by Rebecca Roanhorse | short story in the listed anthology
This one recounts TCW "Brothers" and "Revenge." I don't remember much specifically from it, but I do remember it being told as if to a small child, and I thought that was neat.
The Clone Wars: Darth Maul: Shadow Conspiracy
by Jason Fry | junior novel
Covers "Revival," "Eminence," "Shades of Reason," and "The Lawless." The author writes like they're obsessed with Maul's voice, and frankly, I don't blame them.
Comics:
Darth Maul (2000)
by Ron Marz | comic series, 4 issues
Maul goes on yet another mission for Sidious (unsurprisingly, this is the basic plot of most of his Legends materials). Violence ensues. Maul is certified Cool.
The following two comics can both be found in the Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Rise of the Sith Volume 1 and Star Wars Legends: Rise of the Sith Omnibus
Star Wars Tales 10 - "Nameless"
by Christian Read | single comic, found in the listed issue, Star Wars Tales Volume 3, or the above 2 collections
Maul is sent to kill a Jedi master. To do so and improve his prowess in combat, Maul constructs his infamous double-bladed lightsaber.
Star Wars Tales 24 - "Marked"
by Rob Williams | single comic, found in the listed issue, Star Wars Tales Volume 6, or the above 2 collections
A comic about obedience and fear; Maul grapples with the thought that Sidious might take another apprentice.
The Clone Wars: The Sith Hunters
by Henry Gilroy and Stephen Melching | graphic novella
It's very funny to me that this is considered Legends even though it features TCW Maul and Savage. This one takes place after TCW episode "Revenge" and I'm gonna be honest-- I don't remember a lot from this, but I do remember that it shows Maul's earliest days on Lotho Minor so that's sick luv u spidermaul 4 5ever.
Darth Maul -- Death Sentence
by Tom Taylor | comic series, 4 issues; also found in Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Clone Wars Volume 2
Maul leads a revolution while trying to rescue his brother. The story takes place between The Sith Hunters and TCW season 5 "Revival," filling in some of what Maul and Savage were doing in that time.
Darth Maul (2017)
by Cullen Bunn | comic series, 5 issues
Luke Ross and Nolan Woodard just get it okay. I love the way Maul looks in this series. In my head, this comic is the canon alternative to Shadow Hunter, where Maul confronts a Jedi early on, but the differences between his characterization in these two stores is the basis of my understanding of the difference between Legends Maul and canon Maul.
Age of Republic - Darth Maul
by Jody Houser | single issue comic, found independently or in the collection Star Wars: Age of Republic - Villains
Maul goes on an (Sith ashes) acid trip while on a visit to Malachor with Sidious.
Darth Maul -- Son of Dathomir
by Jeremy Barlow | comic series, 4 issues
This series is especially interesting to me because it's adapted from TCW season 6 scripts that weren't produced. It follows Maul as he's rescued by Death Watch after the conclusion of his arc in season 5, and shows his alliance with Talzin as they confront Sidious. I think it's great for fleshing out that relationship and that side of canon Maul's character.
Star Wars Adventures (2020) 3 - "Tales of Villainy: The Hostage"
by Shane McCarthy and Michael Moreci | single comic, found in the listed issue or in Star Wars Adventures: The Light and the Dark
Maul allows himself to be captured in an attempt to bring another crime syndicate into the Shadow Collective. Is this one monumental? No. Am I unreasonably fond of it? Hell yeah. If you've seen that panel of Maul and Savage drinking at a diner, it's from this comic. Also has Maul in chains for those of yall that are into that.
Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader's Castle 1 - "The Horned Devil"
by Cavan Scott | single comic found in the listed issue or in the collections Star Wars Adventures: Return to Vader's Castle and Star Wars Adventures: Beware Vader's Castle
A "sPoOKy" story about Maul on Lotho Minor. Once again, luv u spidermaul 4 5ever. The cover art is fuckin sick.
Star Wars Visionaries - "Old Wounds"
by Aaron McBride | single comic found in the listed graphic novel, in Star Wars Omnibus: Wild Space Volume 2, Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Volume 4, and Star Wars Legends: The Empire Omnibus Volume 2
In this comic, Maul tracks Obi-Wan to Tatooine for revenge. Sounds familiar, but this was published in 2005, before Maul's revival in TCW. His design in that show, though, was based off of this comic, and his episodes in Rebels show a similar influence. I like this one because I think it's fun to see how his narrative was evolving as different writers took on the story, and to see the path from where he began in Legends up to his end.
Stuff Maul is in: (not specifically about him, but he makes an appearance)
Books:
Darth Plagueis
by James Luceno | novel
Our man JL is back with more Maul... just not as the focus. If you're going to read one thing from this "Stuff Maul is in" list, let it be this one. Granted, it's a loooooooooong book, but it's really great for fleshing out the Plagueis and Sidious and Maul dynamic. Maul does have some sections of his own narration, but the best bit of this novel is seeing how Plagueis and Sidious see him. It also has some of his original Legends origin!
Queen's Peril
by E.K. Johnston | novel
This book is about Padme! Who I love dearly, so I enjoyed reading it. Maul has a few sections of narration in it that show his canon headspace.
Comics:
The first set of these is a mental collection I like to call "Legends writers just Try Shit" and it's a bunch of different ways Maul was brought back before TCW.
Star Wars Tales 9 - "Resurrection"
by Ron Marz | single comic found in the listed issue, in Star Wars Tales Volume 3, or in Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Empire Volume 8
The Maul in this one has been resurrected by a dark side cult to be the true apprentice to Sidious. The story is mostly about Vader, but his duel with Maul is cool.
Star Wars Tales 17 - "Phantom Menaces"
by Joe Casey | single comic found in the listed issue, in Star Wars Tales Volume 5, or in Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The New Republic Volume 5
While on a diplomatic mission, Luke Skywalker is attacked by a hologram of Maul and goes off to investigate. This is the one I use to bless my friends with the cursed knowledge of Maul's brain in a tank.
Star Wars: Jedi Quest 1
by Ryder Windham | first comic in a series, also found in Star Wars Omnibus: Menace Revealed and Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Menace Revealed Volume 3
Truth be told, I have not read this one because I can't find it for free. In it, Maul is a training hologram? I think? For Anakin? idk. There's also a novel series by the same name and I got annoyed looking for what isn't really Maul anyway.
Star Wars: Republic (1998) 40 - "The Devaronian Version, Part 1"
by John Ostrander | comic in a long ass series, but the one you want is found in the listed issue, Star Wars Omnibus: Quinlan Vos: Jedi in Darkness, or Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: The Menace Revealed Volume 3
I don't know what this is about even though I have read it; Maul is in it for like 3 panels; he gets called "nasty boy" and makes someone wet themselves in fright. Obviously core reading for the Maul experience.
Jedi Council: Acts of War
by Randy Stradley | comic series, four issues by the listed name, or in Star Wars Omnibus: Rise of the Sith and Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Rise of the Sith, Volume 1
Once again, I do not know what this is about because I have a very difficult time reading comics when Maul is not there. And in this series he's there for < 15 panels. But he looks pretty when he is there.
Obi-Wan -- A Jedi's Purpose 2 - "A Shadow Falls on the Padawan"
by Christopher Cantwell | issue of a comic series
This comic includes a brief scene showing Obi-Wan remembering his and Maul's final battle on Tatooine and commenting on Maul's mental state. Makes me super emo.
And finally, encyclopedia-type stuff!: (not necessarily stories, but has neat info-- especially because they show what was considered canon at the time of their publication)
Darth Maul: Sith Apprentice
by Jo Casey and Catherine Saunders | children's reader
Yes, you read that right. But this kid's book has fun information about Maul based on TPM. I especially like the image call-out for his "heavy action boots." It brings me joy.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace: The Expanded Visual Dictionary
by David West Reynolds and Jason Fry | what it says on the tin
The adult version of the above book. Shows the inside of Maul's lightsaber, which I love. Also still points out the heavy action boots. Clearly, they are a key component of the character.
And that's everything! There are some re-tellings of like, TPM, in novel or comic form but I was never super interested in those so I haven't read them.
If you know of something else please let me know! (Both so I can add it and so I can read it). Similarly, if you see any mistakes on the list, please tell me. It took me like 7 hours to type it up and check and cross-reference everything and some mistakes probably crept in there.
If you're like me and you've gotten through (most of) this list, but still want More Maul, please check out my fic rec! There's a bunch of banger Maul fics there.
Tagging @maul-my-heart. Hope you have fun in your reading!
92 notes
·
View notes
Fuzzy Fidelity and Practical Christians
"In the scholarly literature on secularization and on popular or working-class religion, there has been much debate about people like these miners – the great mass of individuals who occupy a continuum somewhere between unreserved atheism and ardent belief in the religious teachings of a denomination. Historian S.C. Williams has studied the working class of Southwark, in turn-of-the-century London, and suggests that those who professed some type of Christian belief and had a nostalgic fondness for the hymns and prayers of their childhood, but who rarely attended church other than for major life cycle events, nonetheless followed a legitimate form of popular religion. Hugh McLeod, who has studied secularization among the working classes of London and other major cities during the same period, sees such practices as reflecting the “half-secular” approach of many working-class individuals. For McLeod, these practices were a phase in a gradual progression toward complete secularization. Discussing the way in which Americans take up and transform various elements of official religion, making them their own, Robert Orsi argues that this equates to “lived religion” and is not necessarily an indication of secularization. Sociologists of religion have also explored this complex phenomenon. They label individuals who lack strong religious belief and practice but who also lack a clearly secular identity as having “fuzzy fidelity.” This may entail belonging to a church without accepting its teachings, believing in God without joining a church, and a host of other options. Most of these scholars see fuzzy fidelity as a way station on the path toward greater secularity.
Turn-of-the-century British Columbia certainly exhibited a range of practices and beliefs that can be identified with fuzzy fidelity, if we see it as occupying the middle ground on the continuum between steadfast atheism and wholehearted espousal of Christianity. Of course, the key question here, one that is much debated, is where to draw the line – where does fuzziness shade into secularity, and where does it become pious religious practice? Orsi would see variations of lived religion as encompassing all but the most avowed atheist, whereas the sociological scholars of fuzzy fidelity are more interested in variations on the continuum, allowing for shades of grey among the more secular.
The term “practical Christian,” which had considerable resonance in British Columbia during this period, and also considerable elasticity, illustrates the complexities of this continuum. Practical Christians could be socialist atheists who believed that their concern for their fellow workers made them better, more moral people than churchgoers, whom they saw as hypocrites. Practical Christians could also reject Christianity and the churches but respect Christ for his moral teachings and example. Or they may have had some level of Christian faith but may also have believed that leading a moral life did not necessitate church attendance.
Robert Lowery identified practical Christians simply as those who cared for their fellows, regardless of any religious belief. In response to an easterner’s comments on the supposed immorality of the Slocan, Lowery stated that many Slocan men were “practical Christians. They do not spend much time in church howling their complaints to Jesus, but if you are hungry, sick or broke touch some of the boys and see how quick they will respond to your appeal.” Lowery attacked a minister for speaking negatively at the death of a “practical Christian” named Allan, who had been very much part of local rough culture. Lowery admiringly declared that “Allan’s heart was white with the memory of many a kind deed ... Allan practiced the religion of self-forgetfulness. His toil, his money his grub and cabin were ever ready to assist the needy.” The use of “white” here is very much a race-based compliment, reminding us that in this world, a true white man did not need to be a churchgoer. For Lowery and other Euro-Canadian participants in rough culture, whiteness was not necessarily linked to Christianity, as it was for members of the dominant classes who condemned the morals of “bad whites.”
The use of “practical Christian” merits further unpacking. What Lowery meant was unselfishness and concern for one’s fellow men. Today, we might speak approvingly of following the Golden Rule, though most would not link it to Christianity. Lowery respected the moral teachings of Jesus, and though he had little time for the churches, or even Christianity as a religion, he nonetheless used “Christian” as a term of approbation in describing care for one’s fellows. Clearly, “Christian” retained some positive connotations, which demonstrates at least a residual power of Christian culture even among BC unbelievers. “God-fearing” seems to have been used similarly as a positive term, regardless of whether it had anything to do with belief. During an interview, Nanaimo miner Herschel Biggs stated that “as to the hereafter, I’m doubtful whether there is any.” Even so, in describing his fellow miners, he said, “They didn’t go much on religion, but I think most of the miners were God-fearing. They worked hard and they drank beer and they swore and they did things any miner would do, but they were basically a good, hardworking, clean-minded people.
Dave McDonald of Nanaimo was explicit about his lack of belief, but he seems to have fit Lowery’s definition of a practical Christian. As he recalled, “I was supposed to go to church when I was young, but when I got old enough I said, ‘To Hell with it.’ I got fed up with it. I believed in enjoying myself. Mind you, nobody will say anything against me because if I could help someone I always helped ’em. That’s my religion.” Again, caring for others is defined positively as a religion, even though the practice of Christianity is rejected. The Synod of the Diocese of Kootenay seemed to recognize this stance, suggesting that though many workers rejected the churches as being allied with employers, most remained “Christian in sentiment and ethics.” Similar patterns occurred among Catholic working-class men. Priests in Kootenay mining towns frequently complained to their bishop about the lack of church involvement among men. In one instance, a woman came to the local priest because she had been married by a Protestant minister and wanted to make things right with the Catholic Church. But her Catholic husband considered it all nonsense and stated that his only religion was to be an honest man.
Others who called themselves practical Christians felt that caring for one’s fellows was important, but they also retained a faith in God and possibly other basic Christian tenets, such as a belief in the afterlife. Even so, they felt no need to attend church. For example, Thomas Greene, an Anglican minister in the mining town of Fairview, wrote that though many of its miners had “no particular religious leanings,” their creed was that “if I live a pretty straight, honest life and don’t cheat my mates, I shall have a pretty good show at the last.” This seems to indicate that the miners believed they would go to heaven if they lived a moral life, defined to include honesty and straight dealing, but definitely not entailing avoidance of strong drink, gambling, and other activities that an orthodox evangelical Christian would see as paving the path to hell.
...the socialist MLA James Hawthornthwaite may have been concerned about alienating at least some working-class Nanaimo voters with hardline anti-religious rhetoric, but oral history sources suggest that the majority of male Nanaimo workers were not regular churchgoers, although many may have believed in the basic doctrines of Christianity. Albert Tickle of Nanaimo remembered that many of his fellow miners were believers though not churchgoers:
It usually is most common in most miners, most of them were you know Christian believers, but they weren’t what you would call someone that went to church every Sunday. I mean they believed and that was good enough for them.
Tom Johnston, who was raised in a devout Nanaimo household, said that though “a fair percentage” of Nanaimo residents went to church, “the great majority of the population ... were not regular attendants, but they at least supported what the church taught and stood for.” This pattern was very similar to that which S.C. Williams identified in working-class Southwark during the same period. As she argues, people generally felt that if they believed in God, went to church for certain key events, and followed basic Christian precepts, particularly kindness and care for their neighbours, they could define themselves as good Christians. Hugh McLeod also notes that good neighbourliness was identified with practical Christianity in working-class London during this period, regardless of whether those who exhibited it were churchgoers.
Williams suggests that these neighbourly working-class Londoners saw themselves as better Christians than churchgoers who oppressed their employees, displayed unneighbourliness, or were guilty of other faults, and who were branded as hypocrites because they failed to live up to Christian teachings. Similar sentiments were frequently expressed in British Columbia. Alice Barrett Parke of Vernon, a committed churchgoer, noted in her diary that
I have learned since I came west, that religion and church going are sometimes two widely different things. I think many men do not enter the churches, not because they disbelieve in God, or despise His worship, but because they find so little of him in the churches and His professed followers. The Christlike lives are not always lived by those who know most of modern theology. I often think of those words “to do justice, & to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God” and they seem a deep reproach to many of us Christians, where the spirit of intolerance, of harshness and spiritual pride reigns.
This theme of churchgoer hypocrisy was very common. Lowery enjoyed skewering the pretense of wealthy churchgoers who oppressed their employees. Thomas Green wrote about debating religion with a miner who held Christian people “up to ridicule for unfaithfulness and inconsistency.” Workers who told the Fernie Free Press why they did not attend church voiced similar comments. One man stayed away “not because I am not in sympathy with the work that the church purports to do, but because I cannot attend a service without feeling that I have been witness of or participated in a lot of sham and hypocrisy.” Another stated that he would attend services “when the parsons and church members can show me that they are living any better than many of us who do not go to church. When I satisfy myself that I would be a better man for attending church services I’ll be there.” Another declined to attend simply because “I won’t associate myself with a bunch of hypocrites.”
- Lynne Marks, Infidels and the Damn Churches: Irreligion and Religion in Settler British Columbia. Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 2017. p. 83-87.
2 notes
·
View notes