The Star Wars Story That Made The Prequels Worth It

3. How Dark Disciple Gave Clone Wars Fans A Proper Conclusion

So why does Dark Disciple - out of all the hundreds of Star Wars stories that emerged out of the Prequels - somewhat justify all their shortcomings? Well first off it must be said that it isn't the only Star Wars story to have made effective use of the Prequel Trilogy (other such works to have done so include Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca's Darth Vader comic, as well as Rebels and even aspects of The Last Jedi), but it is the one that best embodies its potential.

Set during the bloodiest days of The Clone Wars, and with no end to the conflict in sight, the Jedi Council hatch a daring plan to bring it to a close - they sanction the assassination of Count Dooku. Surreptitious conflict isn't exactly the first thing you think of when you think of the Jedi Council, and it's a decision they eventually come to agonise over, while it's clear for the reader to see that it's possibly the moment the Order was consumed by Darth Sidious' conflict.

The actual conspiracy itself is also fairly rotten, but it spotlights one of the most beloved characters to have joined the Star Wars canon from that era: Asajj Ventress. Ventress, a former apprentice of Count Dooku's, quickly endeared herself to fans thanks to her sleek design, unique lightsabers and partially her verbal sparring with Obi-Wan Kenobi. By the time Dark Disciple is set, however, Ventress has long since parted ways with Dooku, and is instead operating as a Bounty Hunter on the literal underworld of Coruscant.

The Jedi surmise, given the manner in which Ventress parted with Dooku, that she'd be the perfect candidate to kill him - and they're right. Ventress was betrayed by Dooku once Darth Sidious became aware of her existence, and has since harboured a vendetta with her former master. They also know, however, that she isn't likely to want to fight Dooku of her own accord, with the bounty hunter carving out a comfortable living for herself bringing in fugitives of a vastly different (lower) calibre.

With this in mind, Obi-Wan recommends that the council deploy Quinlan-Vos - a Jedi who has dabbled with the dark arts and is an expert in undercover operations - to pose as a bounty hunter, gain Ventress' trust, and then strike at Dooku when the Sith Lord least expects it.

It's a fascinating premise, and a story worth seeing unfold for yourself.