Marvel Comics is beginning its exploration of the era followingEmperor Palpatine’sdeath inReturn of the Jedi, and for the first time, I feel like I truly understand how fractious and divided the Empire was at that point in theStarWarstimeline. This sets the stage for a complex dynamic, as the dramatic tension of the Empire’s fall and the Republic’s rise is fertile storytelling ground.
InStar Wars: The Battle of Jakku–Insurgency Rising#3 – written by Alex Segura, with art by Jethro Morales and Leonard Kirk – the faction of radical Imperial loyalists led by Moff Adelhard is further divided;as the Moff scrambles to consolidate power in the wake of Palpatine’s demise, he faces a major betrayal from his second-in-command, Lieutenant Alaytia.
As a reader, this really drove home for me just how perilousthe post-ROTJlandscapewas for the Imperial forces throughout the galaxy, as they fought desperately to hold onto whatever power they could.
Marvel’s “Battle Of Jakku” Series Follows Imperial Forces' Increasing Desperation To Preserve Control Of The Galaxy
Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku–Insurgency Rising#3 – Written By Alex Segura; Art By Leonard Kirk & Jethro Morales; Color By Rachelle Rosenberg; Lettering By Joe Caramagna
InInsurgency Rising#3, when a group of Rebel spies are sent by Princess Leia to spy on Moff Adelhard, they are captured, but quickly freed. When the door to the prison cell they are being held in is unlocked, Kes Dameron asks Therisa Alern if she’s expecting someone. To which Therisa replies,“yes.“On the other side of the door is Lieutenant Alaytia. This implies that Alaytia has been working with the alliance for some time now, and clearly,it’s not just a spur of the moment thing – and I think I know when it started.
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InInsurgency Rising#1,Lieutenant Alaytia insisted Adelhard shouldn’t destroy Rebel fighters, because they need information, as their reports were saying the Emperor is dead. I believe this may have led her to find her own information by contacting the Rebel Alliance. Without the Empire, there was nothing for her to follow anymore, and she disagreed with Adelhard’s methods, so she agreed to help take him down. If it’s true, Adelhard essentially brought down his own faction by inspiring his subordinate’s betrayal.
Moff Adelhard’s Crumbling Faction Is Already Divided From Most Of The Empire
How Long Can It Survive?
For me, as aStar Warsfan, Alaytia’s betrayal of Adelhard is the final key that really unlocked the Empire’s brokenness. The potential for factional strife was always there, kept from surfacing by Emperor Palpatine’s iron will, but after his death, the Imperial order is breaking down fast. This divided is particularly emphasized by Gallius Rax and Grand Admiral Rae Sloane on one hand, and Moff Adelhard on the other. While Rax and Sloane remained loyal to the Emperor, even following his demise,Moff Adelhard saw an opportunity to empower himself.
I appreciate how the story has made it clear the Moff has brought ruin upon himself.
Though initially he expressed loyalty to the idea of the Empire itself, Moff Adelhard’s personal ambitions have become clear asInsurgency Risinghas progressed. I appreciate how the story has made it clear the Moff has brought ruin upon himself. Not only did he cause his most trusetd officer to betray him, but he has also allowed the Acolytes of the Beyond, a dangerous Dark Side faction, to manipulate his actions. This also emphasizes that no single Imperial, no matter how powerful,can match Palpatine and his will.
Grand Moff Adelhard’s Faction Was Shattered Even Before The Battle Of Jakku
His Downfall Is Inevitable
The Acolytes of the Beyondworship the Dark Side of the Force. They were led by Yupe Tashu, one of Palpatine’s advisors. When Moff Adelhard became aware of Reyna Oskure, a member of the Acolytes, Yupe advised her to go to Adelhard and serve as the solution he needed, while also manipulating him to carry out the plans of the Acolytes, who sought to bring balance to the galaxy, and destroy the New Republic. As he sought to manipulate others, Moff Adelhard, in fact, allowed himself to be manipulated.
I think it is striking that Adelhard is responsible for breaking apart his own faction, due to his lack of attention to what’s going on around him. InInsurgency Rising #3,Reyna informs Adelhard that he needs to amass more power with weapons and ships, and that Vader and Palpatine understood that, but Adelhard brushes off her comment saying that their force was their downfall. What he doesn’t realize is that Reyna’s advice would actually make him stronger against future attacks from the New Republic.
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Even still, I think what Reyna said is sinking in, and I believe he will turn to her way of thinking when his faction falls apart, and he is hit too hard by an inevitable attack from the New Republic. Adelhard’s faction is not the only one that’s broken, though, even Rae Sloane and Gallius Rax end up divided over conflicting opinions on how to run the future of the empire. In the end, I would say that is why the Empire broke apart afterEmperor Palpatine’sdeath, sending theStar Warsgalaxy into a chaotic new era.
Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising#3is available now from Marvel Comics.
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.
