Darth Maul — Son of Dathomir, Conclusion represents the fourth and culminating issue of the Star Wars: Darth Maul — Son of Dathomir comic series. Within this issue, Darth Maul, the former Sith Lord, sets in motion the next part of his scheme alongside Mother Talzin with the goal of overthrowing Darth Sidious and claiming dominion over the galaxy. Nevertheless, Sidious interferes with the plan, which results in a final confrontation between the Dathomir witch and the Dark Lord of the Sith. This clash will determine the destiny of the Shadow Collective.
Jeremy Barlow penned Son of Dathomir, Part Four, and Juan Frigeri provided the artwork. It draws its story from "Showdown on Dathomir," a written script by Aïda Mashaka Croal and Matt Michnovetz for what would have been the sixth season of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television program, prior to its cancellation. Given its foundation in a script from the series overseen by George Lucas, it holds a place within the official Star Wars canon. Dark Horse Comics released the 40-page comic on August 20, 2014.
Following the Galactic Republic and Jedi's assault on the Shadow Collective at Vizsla Keep 09, Darth Maul rushes toward Dathomir alongside his Death Watch allies, as well as Count Dooku, who claimed to have joined Maul's quest for vengeance against Darth Sidious.
During their journey to Dathomir, Maul receives communications from Ziton Moj of Black Sun and Fife of the Pyke Syndicate. Having lost the moon of Zanbar and the planet Ord Mantell, along with the supply outpost, in their conflicts against the Sith, the two allies worry that Maul's strategy is failing and that the conflict has become the Sith Lord's personal vendetta against his former master. Maul assures them of their compensation, stating that once Darth Sidious is eliminated, the Shadow Collective will rule the galaxy. Maul then directs Gar Saxon, a Mandalorian, to maintain control over the Pykes and Black Sun. Simultaneously, Maul reveals to Dooku his awareness that the Sith Lord is not a true ally, and that Sidious instructed Dooku to participate in Maul's scheme. Subsequently, Maul orders Rook Kast to take Dooku into custody.
Upon arriving on Dathomir, Maul speaks with Brother Viscus, a survivor of his encounter with Count Dooku during the Battle of Ord Mantell. Viscus informs Maul that the preparations for the next phase of their plan are complete. The Nightbrothers then present Dooku to Mother Talzin, who materializes in a cloud of smoke and initiates a magick attack against the Sith Lord.
Concurrently, a Sith Infiltrator enters orbit, carrying both General Grievous and Darth Sidious, who have tracked Dooku's location to Dathomir. Sidious instructs Grievous to disrupt Dathomirian communications and cloak the ship, enabling their undetected arrival on Dathomir. Unaware of the ship's arrival, Maul and the Nightbrothers proceed with their plan as Talzin employs her magic to extract Dooku's life force in order to physically manifest herself once more. Maul explains that Talzin's physical return demands a significant sacrifice, for which they have chosen Dooku.
As the process unfolds, an explosion erupts, and Grievous and Sidious appear before Maul to confront him. Sidious reminds his former apprentice that his plan is the only one that matters: Darth Sidious' plan to govern the galaxy. During their exchange, Moj and Fife contact Kast, informing her of the Separatist armies' attacks. The Shadow Collective allies demand Maul's location, but Kast dismisses their concern and instructs them to fight the Separatists.
On Dathomir, Mother Talzin assumes control of Dooku's body, and she and Maul engage Sidious and Grievous in combat. Talzin confronts the Dark Lord of the Sith, while Maul battles Grievous. Sidious quickly gains the advantage over Talzin, demanding that she release his apprentice. Sidious assaults Dooku's body with Force lightning before Talzin releases Dooku and reappears in physical form. Meanwhile, Kast continues to communicate with Black Sun and the Pykes, who inform her of their withdrawal from the Shadow Collective, leaving Maul isolated as a Separatist fleet emerges from hyperspace above Dathomir.
Maul continues his battle against Grievous, forcing him away from the main conflict. Sidious once again unleashes lightning against Talzin, while Talzin retaliates with a surge of magical energy towards the Dark Lord. Maul implores Talzin to draw upon his strength, but as Dooku joins the battle with his own lightning attacks, Talzin instructs her son to retreat without her, even if it means her demise. Talzin uses her magic to telekinetically remove Maul from the fray, and he is extracted by Kast and another Mandalorian warrior, witnessing Grievous' return and fatal stabbing of Talzin through the chest with two lightsabers.
With his Shadow Collective in ruins, Maul and the Death Watch flee Dathomir. Sidious, Dooku, and Grievous observe Talzin's body, and Dooku expresses regret that Maul has once again escaped. Sidious, however, remains unconcerned, as everything transpired according to his plan. Maul's potential as a Sith rival has been extinguished, and the Sith have advanced their own future.
Son of Dathomir, Part Four is an adaptation of "Showdown on Dathomir," an episode scripted by Aïda Mashaka Croal and Matt Michnovetz for what would have been the seventh season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars.