Exploring the vast Star Wars universe reveals a new comic series launching in February, centered on Watto, the disliked junk dealer from Tatooine. His past interactions with Anakin Skywalker and the dark implications of his fate are highlighted, particularly in the upcoming *Legacy of Vader*, which connects him to Darth Vader. Fans can anticipate uncovering more about Vader’s legacy, including potential revelations about Watto’s grim future, as Kylo Ren seeks to understand his grandfather’s history.
Exploring the Expansive Star Wars Universe
The Star Wars saga is renowned for its films, but its universe extends far beyond the silver screen. Over the years, this beloved franchise has grown to include a variety of series, merchandise, books, and comics. Exciting news awaits fans as a new comic series is set to launch in February, focusing on the fate of a notorious character from the saga who first made his appearance in *Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace*.
Watto: The Unlikable Junk Dealer
Within the prequel trilogy that explores Anakin Skywalker’s early life, we meet Watto, a junk dealer from Tatooine. He holds Anakin and his mother, Shmi, as slaves, having won them during a pod race. However, he loses Anakin after betting against him in another race, leading to the boy’s eventual freedom under the guidance of Jedi Qui-Gon Jinn, who recognizes Anakin’s immense potential.
In *Attack of the Clones*, Anakin returns to Tatooine after more than a decade, hoping to reunite with his mother. Unfortunately, Watto reveals that he has sold Shmi to a farmer named Lars, who later marries her. Tragedy strikes when Shmi is kidnapped by Sand People, and despite Anakin’s efforts to rescue her, she dies in his arms. This devastating moment pushes Anakin toward the dark side, resulting in a violent rampage against his captors.
While Watto may not be the primary antagonist in the Star Wars saga, his greed and indifference to slavery make him an unlikable figure. It is only after losing Anakin that he realizes the true value of his former slave to his business. Fans may have thought they had seen the last of Watto, but his story is far from over, and it promises to be a dark conclusion.
Darth Vader’s Connection to Watto
In the films, Watto and Darth Vader never interact, as their paths only cross through Anakin before his fall to the dark side. However, the upcoming comic series, *Legacy of Vader*, will reveal that the junk dealer did indeed have dealings with the Sith Lord. Set to debut on February 5, the first volume will explore events occurring between *Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi* and *Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker*, featuring Kylo Ren as he delves into his grandfather Darth Vader’s past.
Fans can look forward to seeing Kylo Ren uncover more about Vader’s legacy, with tantalizing glimpses already shared. One such preview shows Vader on Tatooine, accompanied by a cyborg, as he experiences a vision of Watto seemingly being choked by the Force. The ominous caption suggests that Vader returned to Tatooine to exact revenge, hinting at a deadly fate for Watto.
Another intriguing image features Kylo Ren expressing, *’This should not be the story, it should be erased.’* Whether this refers to Vader’s encounter with Watto or another vision remains a mystery. To uncover the truth, fans will need to wait for the comic’s release in early February, with potential revelations to follow in subsequent volumes.
This announcement comes as a welcome confirmation for many fans, especially considering that the series was canceled shortly after its first season. Despite this, it emerged as one of the most-watched shows on the Disney+ platform in 2024, raising questions about whether Disney made a mistake in canceling it.