5th March is the date when the new Jedi Knights series hits the stands – and you’ll be reading our reviews fresh off the baking tray right here on the site that very day – and here is a look at the main villain of the piece: Atha Prime, a character originally created for the unreleased Epic Continues toy line, designed to carry on the story of the galaxy far, far away after the final Return of the Jedi figures were released.
A dark new threat is coming to the galaxy far, far away, but true Star Wars fans know he’s been around much longer than anyone might expect! Inspired by unused Return of the Jedi concept art, ATHA PRIME was planned to be the main villain for an unreleased Kenner toy line in the ’80s, one that was intended to continue the success of Star Wars action figures following the release of the Original Trilogy films. Now, decades later, ATHA PRIME will officially debut in Marvel’s upcoming STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS comic series.
Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and acclaimed Star Wars comics writer Marc Guggenheim and rising star artist Madibek Musabekov will introduce the character as a mysterious planet’s tyrannical ruler who boldly opposes the Republic and the Jedi Order. Befitting his legacy, ATHA PRIME is spotlighted on John Tyler Christopher’s Action Figure Variant Cover for STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHT #1 and will also be featured on Ramon Rosanas’ Foil Variant Cover. ATHA PRIME was also previously teased on Rosanas’ “Sneak Preview” variant cover for Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1.
“While developing the series, Marc discovered this deep cut—the antagonist from Kenner’s unrealized The Epic Continues toy line,” Editor Mark Paniccia explained. “We saw the original design and were immediately sold. What a cool character to bring into canon and what a perfect book to do it in!”
Hitting stands on March 5, STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS takes place before The Phantom Menace and stars legendary Prequel Trilogy icons like Qui-Gon Jinn, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Yoda, and more, including fan-favorite characters and all-new Jedi. Each thrilling issue follows a different Jedi duo on pivotal missions throughout the galaxy, with an overarching threat binding them together. Who is the mysterious new villain targeting Qui-Gon Jinn for death, and how will it force the Jedi Order to evolve for a new age?
“I love the idea that the Jedi are the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy,” Guggenheim told Polygon in a recent interview. “But there are surprisingly few examples of that out there — mainly because the Jedi get sucked into the Clone Wars. I’m as much of a fan of the Clone Wars as the next guy, but I really craved seeing the Jedi doing their thing on a non-war footing. That’s the great appeal of this new Jedi Knights series: We really get a chance to see what the Jedi did before the Clone Wars and their eventual fall.”
Check out John Tyler Christopher and Ramon Rosanas’ covers along with Madibek Musabekov’s design sheet, and preorder STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS #1 at your local comic shop today! For more information, visit Marvel.com.
STAR WARS: JEDI KNIGHTS #1 – 75960621106700111
Written by MARC GUGGENHEIM
Art by MADIBEK MUSABEKOV
Cover by RAHZZAH
#Action Figure Variant Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER – 75960621106700151
Foil Variant Cover by RAMON ROSANAS – 75960621106700171
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