Shadows of the Empire: Evolution is a compilation of the five-part comic book series Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire: Evolution. This series acts as a follow-up story to the events of Shadows of the Empire. Its release date was February 2, in the year 2000.
Following the demise of Xizor, the former head of the Black Sun criminal syndicate, Guri, a stunning Human replica droid who served as Xizor's personal assassin, is left to ponder her purpose in a world where she is no longer bound to anyone. Amidst the ongoing power struggles within the criminal underworld, Guri embarks on a journey to discover any trace of her Human essence, even if it's only a figment of her imagination. However, as she seeks to alter her programming and embrace Humanity, Guri finds herself pursued by both bounty hunters and Rebels, the latter led by a Jedi in training named Luke. What hidden secrets lie within her android mind that make her such a valuable target? Evolution serves as a sequel to the acclaimed novel Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire and marks the comic book debut of Steve Perry, the best-selling author of the Shadows novel.
With Black Sun's structure collapsing, different members vie for control of the organization. Meanwhile, Guri explores the potential for a human replica droid to achieve true "humanity." Alone in her Stinger ship, she single-handedly obliterates an Imperial Star Destroyer, continuing her journey towards Hurd's moon. Simultaneously, on Coruscant, Azool, a Falleen antique dealer, receives information from a Rodian informant named Prevaro about Guri's survival. He then enlists Kar Yang, a Hiitian bounty hunter, to locate Guri. Upon Guri's arrival at her destination, Yang and his droid companion Lintu discover the wreckage of the Star Destroyer she destroyed. On Hurd's moon, Guri seeks out her creator, Massad Thrumble, with the intention of having him reprogram her and eliminate her assassin programming. However, he is unable to do so without his droid, Doc, who has been abducted by the Pike (Pikkel) sisters. Guri sets out to find Doc. The Pike sisters transport Doc to Spinda Caveel on Murninkam. Guri follows them there, but her ship sustains damage from a robotic picket ship and crashes in a nearby swamp. Back on Hurd's moon, Yang speaks with Thrumble, learning of Guri's whereabouts. On Murninkam, Caveel intends to use Doc to program one of his droids to become an assassin.
On Coruscant, Prevaro confronts Azool, accusing him of being Xizor. However, Azool removes "his" mask, revealing "herself" to be Xizor's niece, Savan. As Yang travels towards Murninkam, Guri infiltrates Caveel's estate and reclaims Doc. On Coruscant, a gathering of influential Black Sun figures takes place as they debate who will assume leadership of the organization. Leia Organa, Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Lando Calrissian monitor the meeting remotely via video. On Murninkam, Guri and Doc make their way to the Stinger, but Yang, now seeking Guri for himself, attaches a tracking device to the ship upon his arrival. The Rebels arrive on Coruscant to negotiate with the fractured Black Sun.
Xizor's niece, disguised as a human, attempts to seduce Han Solo, leading them into a perilous situation where they must rescue her from assassins. On Hurd's moon, Yang, confident that his droid will follow his instructions, destroys it. Guri arrives shortly after and is about to undergo reprogramming when Yang enters the lab. She eliminates him, and the procedure continues as Savan heads for the moon. On Coruscant, the warring factions of Black Sun engage in a power struggle. The Rebels soon uncover Savan's true identity and travel to Hurd's moon to apprehend her, even as she, Prevaro, and Savan arrive on the moon themselves. They assemble a group of "scum" and prepare to assault the lab, while the Pike (Pikkel) sisters arrive under Caveel's orders to eliminate Guri. Inside the lab, Guri awakens, reprogrammed. The Rebels land on the planet and advance towards the lab as well. Soon, the Rebels clash with the sisters and Caveel outside the lab, while Savan and Prevaro infiltrate the lab. In the street, the Pike (Pikkel) sisters abandon the fight and leave Caveel behind. Guri, Doc, and Thrumble head for the Stinger, but Savan has set up an ambush. Upon their arrival at the ship, Guri dispatches the goons, demonstrating that she has been reprogrammed, yet her reflexes remain intact to protect her. Unaware that she has been reprogrammed, Savan uses a Falleen phrase to command her to kill Thrumble and Doc, but Guri turns on Savan and incapacitates her because the phrase is no longer effective. With Savan in custody, the Rebels introduce themselves to the "new" Guri and depart from the moon. As they leave, Guri encounters a familiar man in the cantina. Although they have never formally met, he recognizes her from his past experiences. The man is Dash Rendar, and a new partnership is forged.