The initial story arc in the Star Wars: Republic comic book series was titled Star Wars: Prelude to Rebellion. This narrative unfolded across issues 1 through 6 of the ongoing series from Dark Horse Comics, which was originally known simply as Star Wars. Furthermore, a preview issue, numbered #0, was released online exclusively through the Official Star Wars website using Shockwave format. This issue was later reprinted within a Marvel Epic collection.
Ki-Adi-Mundi, a Jedi Knight renowned for his considerable power and influence, resides on his native world of Cerea. The majority of the planet's inhabitants are content with their simple, low-technology existence, remaining isolated from the Republic. However, an increasingly vocal faction advocates for the adoption of advanced technologies brought by visitors from other worlds. When Ki voices strong opposition to this development, he is falsely accused of murder. This accusation quickly entangles him in a complex web of conspiracy and intrigue that threatens to destabilize the galaxy. This web potentially involves the notorious crime lord Jabba the Hutt and the influential Trade Federation, effectively setting the scene for the events of Episode I The Phantom Menace!
The planet Cerea, the long-isolated home of Jedi Knight Ki-Adi-Mundi, is being courted by the Republic. A Republic representative has been dispatched to Cerea to convince the Elders to join the Republic, promising trade and technological progress to Cerea's largely unindustrialized populace. Ki-Adi-Mundi uses his influence to dissuade the Elders, highlighting the advantages of the Cerean way of life, which emphasizes peace and harmony with nature, in contrast to the Republic's polluting technologies.
Upon returning home, Ki discovers that his daughter, Sylvn, has eloped with a member of the pro-tech movement, a group of young Cereans who support technological advancement. While searching for Sylvn, Ki encounters a pro-tech rally led by the human diplomat Bron. After interrupting Bron's speech, Ki is allowed to address the crowd, but he is quickly shouted down and apprehended by a group of angry youths. Sylvn attempts to persuade her boyfriend, Maj-Odo-Nomor, to help free her father, but instead, Maj steals Ki's lightsaber. Lacking training in its use, Maj accidentally kills another Cerean. Amidst the ensuing chaos, he flees, leaving Ki to take the blame. Ki is eventually exonerated due to video evidence of the rally, but his lightsaber remains in the custody of the authorities.
Ki returns to his home to find a group of youths on swoops, including Sylvn, fleeing with stolen food. Ki follows them to an outsider citadel, where he seeks out an old friend and informant named Ydde. Fearing for his safety, Ydde refuses to provide Ki with any information and attempts to leave. Ki pursues Ydde into an alley, where he is ambushed by a group of thugs led by a Devaronian. After defeating the thugs, Ki discovers that Ydde has been killed by an assassin's bullet. Meanwhile, within the citadel, the small group of youths seeks refuge in the apartment of a Chevin smuggler named Ephant Mon. Three of the youths, Twin, Skeel and Kordren, participate in a swoop race, but the swoops have been sabotaged, resulting in Skeel's death and Kordren's hospitalization.
After discovering Ephant Mon's name in a clue left by Ydde, Ki attempts to convince the Elders to return his lightsaber. When this fails, Ki decides to interrogate a Gran who is suspected of murder. Using the Force, Ki compels the Gran to reveal Ephant Mon's location. Ki arrives at the apartment to find it deserted, except for a merc droid. Without his lightsaber, Ki is forced to evade the droid and encounters a messenger from the Elders. They escape into the sewers, where the messenger returns Ki's lightsaber. With his weapon restored, Ki easily defeats the droid, but is injured in the process and taken to a medical center.
Ephant Mon and the pro-tech youth escape Cerea aboard Mon's shuttle, but a problem arises, and Sylvn is locked out of an escape pod by Maj. She screams as dangerous divviks approach, but Mon rescues her at the last moment, deciding to use her as a hostage to ensure their escape.
Ki, accompanied by the droids J1M, B3NK, 2-ROB, and the reprogrammed merc droid FLTCH R-1, tracks the ship, knowing that Mon's ship is infested with divviks. They intercept Mon in orbit around the planet Tatooine, and Ki boards the ship, battling divviks until he reaches the escape pod. Inside the pod, a fight ensues, and Mon kills Maj. With his daughter in the pod, Ki-Adi-Mundi chooses to let Mon escape to Tatooine. They track the pod to Jabba's palace, and after surviving an attack by a fighter, they rescue Sylvn and Twin before they are killed by an ion storm. During the chaos, Jabba launches a freighter carrying smuggled goods, but J1M infiltrates the ship and downloads the cargo manifest. Ki returns to Cerea to discover that the pro-tech movement has waned and the Republic's presence on the planet has significantly decreased. As a reward for his efforts, the Elders instruct Ki to spend time with his family, which he gladly accepts.
- The base of the building housing the Cerean Elders' Council displays the Aurebesh letter Grek (G).
- Ephant Mon enters a room filled with crates. One crate is labeled with the Aurebesh letter Dorn (D), another with Aurek (A), and a third with Krill (K).
- The chests of the guards accompanying Ki-Adi-Mundi after Maj-Odo-Nomor kills a man with Ki's lightsaber are marked with the letter Peth (P).
- When Ki visits Ydde, the building's sign reads "BAR" in Aurebesh.
- Ydde's note to Ki reads "EFONT MON," misspelling Ephant Mon's first name.
- The bands sealing off Berth #289 display the text " POLICE LINE."
- While the merc droid pursues Ki, its viewscreen displays the word "TARGET."
- Star Wars: Prelude to Rebellion (TPB)
- Star Wars Omnibus: Rise of the Sith
- Star Wars Legends Epic Collection: Rise of the Sith Vol. 2
- Star Wars Legends: Rise of the Sith Omnibus