Darth Maul 2, the second installment of the canon comic book miniseries titled Star Wars: Darth Maul, was brought to life by writer Cullen Bunn, with illustrations by Luke Ross. Marvel Comics released it on March 22, 2017.
To gather information regarding the padawan's auction, Darth Maul walks into a cantina situated on Nar Shaddaa. The cantina's occupants stare at him, and the bartender greets him, claiming he already knows what Maul wants. Maul mentions Xev Xrexus's name, but the bartender pleads ignorance, pointing out that Maul is a fellow Zabrak and a Nightbrother at that. Maul asserts that the bartender knows nothing about him, leading the bartender to suggest that Maul should cease his inquiries and leave quietly. A Quarren patron named Calgriz informs Maul that he's inviting trouble by asking questions and behaving like a Jedi 'lackey'. Maul retaliates by forcefully kicking Calgriz across the room, triggering a brawl. Maul battles multiple patrons simultaneously until Calgriz spits ink into his face, momentarily blinding him and causing him to fall to the ground. Calgriz brandishes a blaster, but Maul uses the Force to hurl a dagger at him, resulting in his death. The other patrons also aim their weapons at Maul, but Cad Bane, Aurra Sing, and Vorhdeilo – bounty hunters Maul hired to assist him in reaching the auction – swiftly gun them down from behind.
While Vorhdeilo consumes the blood of the deceased patrons, Maul expresses his dissatisfaction that the bounty hunters didn't arrive sooner. Bane informs him that they've discovered a route to the auction. As Sing intercepts comm chatter indicating Jedi presence in Hutta Town, the group leaves the cantina. They proceed to a docking bay where Maul's probe droids located a cruiser belonging to the Haddrex Gang, a group invited to the auction. Maul discovers that the bounty hunters have eliminated all gang members except for the protocol droid FE-B3, who is being interrogated by Troo-tril-tek regarding the auction's location. Maul removes FE-B3's remaining eye and threatens further harm until the droid agrees to guide them to the auction.
The group is guided to the Drazkel system, and the codes provided by FE-B3 grant them access to the auction. As they approach Xev's hideout, Sing and Bane discuss the reasons behind Maul's hiring them. Sing feels uneasy, but Bane reminds her that, despite her suspicions, the auction's wealthy clientele presents a lucrative opportunity. Maul meditates in solitude, recalling a past visit to Malachor and its ancient Sith temple with his master. During that visit, Maul experienced a vision of the Great Scourge of Malachor, and he now uses this memory to intensify his desire for revenge against the Jedi.
The group enters the auction hall, filled with numerous underworld figures, including Grakkus the Hutt, Hondo Ohnaka, and Lom Pyke. Bane suggests capitalizing on the situation by collecting on a few bounties, but Maul dismisses the idea, stating that he's not interested in money. Xev Xrexus then makes an entrance and introduces the auction, displaying a hologram of the padawan Eldra Kaitis, the sole survivor of a shuttle crash. Xev encourages the attendees to enjoy themselves before the auction commences, but Maul has already stealthily departed, guided by his probe droids to Kaitis' cell. Anticipating the imminent fulfillment of his revenge, he confronts the padawan. Confused, Kaitis asks him for his identity.
The print version of Darth Maul, Part II incorrectly attributes the cover art to Rod Reis, instead of Rafael Pinto Albuquerque.
- UPC 759606083725; March 22 , 2017 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00211; Cover A; Rafael Pinto Albuquerque 00221; Cover B; Paul Renaud 00231; Cover C; David Aja 00212; Cover D; Rafael Pinto Albuquerque