For millennia, the Jedi and the Sith have waged endless wars across the galaxy inStar Wars. While the big screen has given us some of the franchise’s most iconic showdowns, many of the most epic battles have been confined to the printed page. These stories offer fresh perspectives on the ongoing conflict, featuring both new Jedi and familiar faces, while providing deeper insight into the Jedi’s timeless struggle against the Sith.
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Though we’ve witnessed some ofthe most powerful Jedi clashon screen, the most captivating confrontations happen in the comics. These battles spotlight intriguing characters who never made it to the big screen and add depth to theStar Warsuniverse in ways movies never could. The comics give a closer look at classic characters like Mace Windu, Luke Skywalker, and even Darth Vader, exploring their inner conflicts and struggles. They provide a unique opportunity to see these iconic figures in a new light.Here are some of the best clashes from theStar Warscomics.
10Darth Vader vs. Kirak Infil’a
Darth Vader(2017)
Darth Vader’s ruthless pursuit of Jedi takes an intriguing turn when he faces Kirak Infil’a, a Jedi Master who had chosen isolation to avoid thepurging effects of Order 66. InDarth Vader(2017),Infil’a puts up a fierce resistance, nearly killing Vader by throwing him off a cliff. As Vader survives and repairs himself using parts from Infil’a’s droid, the battle intensifies, and Vader exploits Infil’a’s compassion for the innocent. In a heart-wrenching final exchange, Vader uses the Force to end Infil’a’s life, sending his body to join the drowned citizens below.
This confrontation adds a new layer to Vader’s character, showing how his manipulation of compassion becomes a deadly weapon. It’s more intimate, focusing on Infil’a’s internal struggle between self-sacrifice and survival, unlike the movie’s aimless lightsaber clashing.The tragic outcome emphasizes the depths of Vader’s powerand the devastating consequences of fighting against the darkness that now dominates the galaxy.
9Aurra Sing vs. Aayla Secura
Star Wars Jedi: Aayla Secura(2003)
Sometimes,the comics give readers exclusive conflicts between characters that are more satisfying than those in the films. The battle between Aayla Secura and Aurra Sing is a prime example. InStar Wars Jedi: Aayla Secura,the calm and composed Jedi Masterfaces the ruthless bounty hunter Aurra Sing, a former Jedi who turned to the dark side. The duel takes place on Devaron, where Secura outmaneuvers Sing by exploiting her emotional instability, ultimately defeating the bounty hunter and turning her over to the authorities.
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The duel between Aayla and Aurra stands in stark contrast to the battles in the movies. Rather than focusing on flashy lightsaber duels or galactic politics,this fight dives into the emotional and psychological conflict between two former Jedi. Aayla’s calm and calculated approach allows her to stay composed under pressure, while Aurra’s anger clouds her judgment, leading to her downfall. The comic emphasizes the importance of inner peace, showing how a Jedi’s strength comes from their skills and ability to maintain control over their emotions.
8Dass Jennir vs. Mors Demanna
Star Wars: Dark Times: Blue Harvest(2010)
One thing theStar Warsfilms seem to be missing is a good comeback story, and that’s exactly what we get inStar Wars: Dark Times: Blue Harvest. In this story, Dass Jennir,a weaker Jedi still honing his skills, faces off against Mors Demanna, a skilled swordsman in the service of a criminal gang. The first encounter is a non-lethal swordplay match where Demanna bests Jennir, leading to Jennir’s concession of defeat. However, their rivalry doesn’t end there. Later, Demanna confronts Jennir again, accusing him of undermining his honor. This time, Jennir draws his lightsaber, swiftly slicing off Demanna’s hand,revealing that he had been holding back in their previous fight.
These two duels are a refreshing change from the fights in the films. The first match is focused on honor and skill, with Jennir humbly accepting his loss,but the second confrontation is deeply personal. Jennir’s act of mercy, allowing Demanna to leave with his life, contrasts sharply with the usual Jedi-Sith conflicts, where defeat is often permanent. This subtle but powerful moment of redemption and growth highlights the complexity of their relationship, emphasizing emotional stakes over just physical combat.
7Celeste Morne vs. Vader
Star Wars: Dark Times: Vector(2008)
The comics also introduced new aspects of the Force,such as the power behind Sith artifacts, like the Muur Talisman inStar Wars: Dark Times: Vector.This talisman, created by the Sith Lord Karness Muur, has the ability to control the minds of Force users and unleash the plague that transforms everyone without force sensitivity into monstrous creatures.This ancient artifact embodies the dark side’s capacity for control, adding a new layer to the Sith’s powerbeyond their lightsabers.
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In this conflict, a Jedi named Celeste Morne becomes reanimated by the talisman and faces off against Darth Vader. As she resists its influence, the battle intensifies when the plague begins to spread, forcing Vader to retreat. Morne, determined to free herself from the talisman’s control, stands as a compelling example of the struggle between the light and dark sides. This fight is unique becauseit blends physical combat and the psychological and mystical elements of Sith artifacts, making it more intricate and intriguing than the typical lightsaber duels in the films.
6Ulic Qel-Droma vs. Sylvar
Tales of the Jedi: Redemption(1998)
Another great thing the comics did was give us a deeper understanding of the relationship between the Jedi and the Sith, particularly in the emotional battle between Sylvar and Ulic Qel-Droma. InTales of the Jedi: Redemption, a Jedi named Sylvar seeks revenge for her brother’s death when she confronts Ulic,a fallen Jedi looking for redemption.As the two fight, Ulic reveals his inner struggle and desire for peace,ultimately leading Sylvar to forgive him and realize the error of her own anger.However, just as reconciliation seems possible, Ulic is tragically killed by an opportunist.
The significance of their confrontation lies in the emotional complexity that defines their journey. The fight is less about physical skill and more about inner growth and redemption, with Sylvar transitioning from bitterness to forgiveness. Ulic’s death marks the culmination of his struggle to make amends, dying as a Jedi despite his past.It’s a powerful reminder of the nuanced dynamics between the Jedi and Sithand how personal journeys shape the larger narrative between the warring factions of force users.
5Cade Skywalker vs. Darth Krayt
Star Wars: Legacy(2006)
One of the most unexpected and intense duels in the Star Wars saga unfolds inStar Wars: Legacy,where Cade Skywalker, a direct descendant of Luke and Anakin, faces off against Darth Krayt, a Sith Lord determined to conquer the galaxy. Krayt, once a Jedi Knight,rises from the dead and seeks to impose his vision of the galaxy through endless war. In their final confrontation, Cade defeats Krayt, taking the drastic step of incinerating his body to prevent the Sith Lord’s resurrection.
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This battle stands apart from the epic galactic-scale duels of the movies, as it focuses on Cade’s struggle with his own legacy and his rejection of the dark side. By destroying Krayt’s body,Cade ensures that the Sith Lord’s influence is permanently eradicated,marking a definitive end to the threat Krayt posed. It’s a personal and symbolic victory, making this confrontation a key moment in the Skywalkers' fight against the dark side and showing how the conflict continues even generations later.
4Mace Windu vs. Sora Bulq
Star Wars Jedi: Mace Windu(2003)
WhileMace Windu had some of the most screen timeduring the prequel films, he still felt largely unexplored, but the comics dive deeper into his character, revealing more about his complex moral struggles.InStar Wars Jedi: Mace Windu,Mace faces off against Sora Bulq,a former Jedi turned Confederate agent, who has mastered the dark art of Vaapad, the lightsaber form Windu himself created. As Bulq attempts to frame the Jedi master and sow discord within the Jedi Order, the two engage in a brutal duel, with Windu exposing his former ally’s betrayal.
This fight is unlike the large-scale, iconic duels in the movies, which are deeply rooted in the character’s history and the moral struggles surrounding the use of Vaapad. The duel emphasizes the fine line between light and dark,showing the tragic consequences of falling to the dark sidewhile providing a nuanced look at Windu’s own combat style and inner conflict. It stands out as a personal and philosophical clash between former allies and brings added depth to a character who didn’t get enough love in the films.
3Darth Maul vs. Kaitis
Darth Maul(2017)
In the films, Maul’s legacy was cut short by Obi-Wan, but the comics gave his story more legroom. After surviving his tumble down the reactor shaft,Maul’s journey continuedin comics like 2017’sDarth Maul. In this series,the Sith Lord’s thirst for Jedi blood leads to a brutal confrontationwith Eldra Kaitis, a force-sensitive Twi’lek padawan. After rescuing her from bounty hunters, Maul and Kaitis team up, only for their fragile alliance to shatter when they crash on the moon of Drazkel. Kaitis briefly gains the upper hand before Maul delivers the killing blow from beneath the ruble.
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Maul’s ruthlessness is fully displayed during this fight, highlighting his brutal nature and his need to prove his strength against the Jedi. The duel is a tense, high-stakes test of will, showcasing Maul’s cunning andreflecting his character’s darker, more complex layers not seen during his limited on-screen portrayal.Maul is guided by his mission alone, and his ability to take down Jedi like Kaitis completely under the council’s radar speaks volumes about his resolve.
2Vader Executing Order 66 Survivors
Star Wars: Purge(2005)
Following the execution of Order 66, one of the most brutal Jedi confrontations occurs whenDarth Vader hunts down a group of Jedi refugees on Kessel.InStar Wars: Purge,written by John Ostrander and illustrated by Doug Wheatley, Vader tracks down the survivors just one month after the events ofRevenge of the Sith. When the Jedi attempt to trap Vader on Kessel by spreading rumors about Obi-Wan’s whereabouts, their plan backfires as Vader arrives, slaughtering the Jedi with ruthless efficiency.
The battle is a chilling showcase of Vader’s chilling power, cementing his status as the galaxy’s most feared hunter.It’s a raw, relentless confrontation that amplifies the horror of the Jedi purge, giving fans a dark glimpse into howVader cemented his legacy as the ultimate Sith enforcer. It shows a desperate, final stand from the Jedi and the merciless nature of Vader’s pursuit. The scene adds a gritty, personal layer to Vader’s reign, reinforcing the myths of Vader’s legendary brutality.
1Luke Skywalker vs. Clone Palpatine inDark Empire
Star Wars: Dark Empire(1991)
In the comics,Palpatine’s return was much more terrifying. InDark Empire, Luke Skywalker faces the resurrected Emperor, who transferred his consciousness into cloned bodies in a bid for immortality. The two meet on Byss, a planet enveloped by the dark side, where Palpatine offers Luke the chance to join him in ruling the galaxy.Despite the Emperor’s manipulation, Luke pretends to align with him, hoping to defeat him from within.The battle culminates in Luke battling Palpatine’s clone bodies, leading to a fierce lightsaber duel and a confrontation that adds depth to Luke’s struggle between light and dark.
This conflict showcases a unique aspect ofStar Warslore, as it explores the dangers of cloning and immortality, which were only hinted at in the movies. Luke’s battle with Palpatine is much more profound in the comics than in his onscreen revival duringRise of Skywalker,as it provides context around the Sith lords' immortal aspirations. The saga also introduced new elements like the powerful World Devastators, adding complexity to the ongoing struggle between the Jedi and Sith. Luke’s eventual redemption and the devastating consequences of Palpatine’s ambitions make this clash one of the most intriguing inStar Warscomics.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Conceived by the will of the Force itself, Anakin Skywalker was the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring the Force into balance. Anakin struggled to balance competing attachments to the Jedi Order and his wife Padmé Amidala, and ultimately fell to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader. For years he served as Palpatine’s right hand man, but he was ultimately redeemed by the faith of his son, Luke Skywalker. Now a Force Ghost, Anakin continues to act as an agent of balance.
