The Sith

• Core Identity: A powerful and ancient order of Force-sensitives devoted to the dark side of the Force, whose sprawling history and iconic characters, while originating in the Star Wars galaxy, are chronicled and expanded upon within the pages of Marvel Comics.
• Key Takeaways:
• Role in the Universe: The Sith are the ultimate antagonists within the Star Wars continuity published by Marvel. They are practitioners of the dark side, seeking power through passion, aggression, and hatred, standing as the philosophical and martial opposites of their mortal enemies, the Jedi Order. Their goal is galactic domination, achieved through fear, manipulation, and overwhelming strength.
• Primary Impact: The Sith's influence is galactic in scale. Their machinations led to the fall of the Galactic Republic and the rise of the tyrannical Galactic Empire under Darth Sidious. Their most infamous member, Darth Vader, serves as the Empire's terrifying enforcer, a symbol of the Jedi Order's failure and the seductive power of the dark side.
• Key Continuities: Marvel's publications handle two distinct timelines. The Canon Continuity (2015-Present) represents the official storyline following Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm. The Legends Continuity (formerly the Expanded Universe) consists of the pre-2014 material, including the original Marvel run from the 1970s-80s and Dark Horse comics, which Marvel now reprints under the Legends banner. These two versions feature vastly different histories and characters.

The Sith were created by George Lucas for his 1977 film Star Wars (later retitled A New Hope), with Darth Vader as their first on-screen representative. However, their history with Marvel Comics is deep and multifaceted. Marvel Comics was the original publisher of Star Wars comics, beginning with Star Wars #1 in March 1977, predating the movie's release. This initial series ran for 107 issues and introduced a generation of fans to the galaxy far, far away, though the lore surrounding the Sith was nascent and often differed from later interpretations. Darth Vader was the primary Sith presence, but the full scope of their Order was not explored. In 1991, the comic license for Star Wars moved to Dark Horse Comics, who oversaw a massive expansion of the universe (now known as the Legends continuity). It was during this period that the deep history of the Sith, including figures like Exar Kun, Naga Sadow, and Darth Bane, was truly established. Following Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm (and Marvel), the Star Wars comic license officially returned to Marvel in 2015. This marked a major turning point: the existing Expanded Universe was rebranded as “Legends,” and Marvel began publishing a new, cohesive line of comics that are considered part of the official Canon, alongside the films and television shows. Marvel has since become the primary vehicle for exploring the post-Revenge of the Sith and post-The Empire Strikes Back eras in detail, particularly through the eyes of key Sith Lords.

It is critical to understand that the Sith do not exist within the prime Marvel Comics continuity of Earth-616, nor do they appear in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). They are exclusive to the separate Star Wars galaxy, whose stories are published by Marvel. The “in-universe origin” refers to their history within that distinct continuity.

In the current canon, meticulously detailed in Marvel series like Charles Soule's The Rise of Kylo Ren and Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith, the Sith's ancient origins are shrouded in mystery, but their modern form is well-documented. The Sith are an order that splintered from the Jedi Order millennia ago. A rogue Jedi, believing the true power of the Force was found not in peace and passivity but in emotion and passion, was exiled. This individual and their followers began studying the dark side, eventually founding the Sith Order on the planet Moraband (also known as Korriban in ancient texts). For thousands of years, the Sith Empire waged war against the Jedi and the Republic. However, internal conflict was their downfall; Sith apprentices constantly betrayed their masters, and rival Sith Lords battled for supremacy, weakening their Order from within. This endless cycle of betrayal led to their near-extinction at the hands of the Jedi a thousand years before the Skywalker Saga. From the ashes of this defeat rose a single survivor: Darth Bane. As depicted in canon-adjacent material and referenced in canon, Bane recognized that the Sith's lust for power made them their own worst enemy. He instituted the Rule of Two: there would only ever be two Sith Lords at a time, a Master to embody the power, and an Apprentice to crave it. This doctrine ensured a stable transfer of power and allowed the Sith to operate in the shadows for a millennium, plotting their revenge. This grand plan culminated in the rise of Darth Sidious, who manipulated the galaxy, destroyed the Jedi Order, and transformed the Republic into the Galactic Empire, fulfilling the Sith's ultimate goal.

The Legends continuity, much of which is available through Marvel's Epic Collection reprints, presents a vastly more detailed and sprawling history. The Sith species, a red-skinned humanoid race from Korriban, were the original practitioners of the dark side. They were discovered by fallen Jedi exiles, who, through their superior knowledge of the Force, interbred with and subjugated the Sith species, creating the first Sith Empire. This Empire, led by Dark Lords like Naga Sadow and Marka Ragnos, thrived for centuries in isolation before launching the Great Hyperspace War against the Republic. Defeated, they were driven back into the unknown regions. The Legends timeline is defined by a series of devastating galactic wars led by subsequent generations of Sith Lords, such as Exar Kun during the Old Sith Wars and Darth Revan and Darth Malak during the Jedi Civil War. Much like in canon, this era of powerful Sith empires eventually collapsed due to infighting. The story of Darth Bane creating the Rule of Two remains a cornerstone of Legends lore, first detailed in novels and later referenced in comics. His reforms set the stage for the same millennium of hiding and plotting that eventually led to Darth Sidious's rise to power. The key difference in Legends is the sheer scale and visibility of the Sith throughout history, with massive armies, sprawling academies, and a much larger number of concurrent Dark Lords prior to Bane's reforms.

The core mandate of the Sith is the acquisition of absolute power. They believe that conflict is the ultimate test of a being's worth and that victory grants the right to rule. Their philosophy is a direct inversion of the Jedi Code. The Code of the Sith:

Peace is a lie, there is only passion. \
Through passion, I gain strength. \
Through strength, I gain power. \
Through power, I gain victory. \
Through victory, my chains are broken. \
The Force shall free me.

This code encapsulates their entire belief system: embracing emotion to fuel their connection to the dark side, using that strength to seize personal and political power, and ultimately achieving a state of absolute freedom from all constraints—moral, physical, or otherwise.

In the canon material published by Marvel, the Sith's structure is rigidly defined by the Rule of Two.

• The Sith Master: The embodiment of the dark side's power. The Master holds the title of Dark Lord of the Sith and is responsible for orchestrating the grand plan for galactic conquest. They possess all the knowledge and secrets of the Sith and are tasked with choosing an apprentice strong enough to one day succeed them. Examples: Darth Sidious, Darth Plagueis.
• The Sith Apprentice: The student, chosen for their immense potential in the dark side. The apprentice's role is to learn from the Master, carry out their will, and constantly crave more power. The ultimate test of the apprentice is to eventually challenge and kill their Master, thereby proving themselves worthy of becoming the new Master and taking on an apprentice of their own. This violent succession ensures that the Sith Order only grows stronger with each generation. Examples: Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Count Dooku (Darth Tyranus).
• Sith Artifacts and Holocrons: The Sith use pyramidal holocrons to store their darkest secrets and teachings. These devices can only be accessed by a true practitioner of the dark side and serve as a link to the knowledge of past Sith Lords. Marvel's comics, particularly the Darth Vader series, show Vader seeking out and using ancient Jedi and Sith artifacts to augment his power and understanding.
• Inquisitorius: As explored extensively in Charles Soule's Darth Vader run, Sidious and Vader created a secondary organization of dark side agents known as the Inquisitorius. Comprised of former Jedi who survived Order 66 and were tortured and corrupted, the Inquisitors were not true Sith. They were forbidden from learning the deepest secrets and were never intended to follow the Rule of Two. Their sole purpose was to hunt down the remaining Jedi and any Force-sensitive children who could pose a threat to the Empire, acting as a tool of the two true Sith Lords.

Marvel's canon comics have provided some of the most profound character studies of the Sith, particularly in the period between the prequel and original trilogies.

• Darth Vader (Anakin Skywalker): The central figure of Marvel's flagship Star Wars comics. Kieron Gillen's Darth Vader (2015) and Charles Soule's Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith (2017) are definitive works. These series explore his brutal early days as a Sith Lord, his construction of his iconic red lightsaber by “bleeding” a kyber crystal, his hunt for the Jedi survivors, his establishment of the Inquisitorius, and his internal conflict upon learning of the existence of his son, Luke Skywalker. Marvel has defined Vader not just as a monolithic villain but as a tortured, rage-fueled being constantly testing the limits of his new existence.
• Darth Sidious (Sheev Palpatine): The ultimate Sith Master. In the comics, Sidious is a master manipulator who constantly tests his apprentice. He is portrayed as cruel, calculating, and utterly devoted to the dark side. Marvel's comics show him orchestrating events from the shadows, punishing Vader for any perceived failure to keep him sharp, and delving into the deepest, most arcane secrets of the Force, including attempts to achieve immortality.
• Darth Maul: While his story is largely told in other media, the Marvel comic miniseries Darth Maul (2017) explores his time as Sidious's apprentice before the events of The Phantom Menace. It highlights his frustration with the Sith's secrecy and his burning desire to unleash his hatred upon the Jedi, showcasing the inherent impatience and aggression that Sidious prized in him.

The term “ally” is used loosely, as Sith relationships are built on utility and the pursuit of power, not trust or affection.

• Apprentices: The most crucial relationship for a Sith Master is with their apprentice. It is a bond of teacher and student, but also of predator and prey. The Master provides knowledge and power, while the apprentice provides service and an eventual challenge. The dynamic between Sidious and Vader, as detailed in the comics, is one of constant tests, punishments, and manipulation, designed to stoke Vader's anger and make him a more perfect weapon of the dark side.
• The Inquisitorius: As Vader's direct subordinates, the Imperial Inquisitors were a key part of his network. Marvel's comics establish that Vader personally trained and dominated them, enforcing his will through fear and violence. They were his hunting dogs, but he viewed them as expendable tools, a pale imitation of true Sith power. Key figures include the Grand Inquisitor, Second Sister, and Ninth Sister.
• Imperial Officers: High-ranking Imperials like Grand Moff Tarkin and Director Krennic often worked alongside Darth Vader. Their relationships were typically fraught with tension. While they respected Vader's authority and feared his power, they often saw him as a mystical anomaly within their technologically-driven military. The comics explore these dynamics, showing Vader asserting his dominance over ambitious officers.

• The Jedi Order: The Sith's primary and eternal enemy. The conflict between the Sith and the Jedi is a thousands-of-years-long ideological war. Where the Jedi seek peace, the Sith seek conflict. Where the Jedi use the Force for defense and knowledge, the Sith use it for aggression and power. Marvel's comics are filled with this conflict, from Vader's systematic extermination of Jedi survivors like Kirak Infil'a and Eeth Koth to his relentless pursuit of his son, the new hope for the Jedi, Luke Skywalker.
• Obi-Wan Kenobi: For Darth Vader, Obi-Wan is his most personal nemesis. He was Vader's former master, brother, and the one who left him for dead on Mustafar. This deep-seated hatred fuels much of Vader's actions in the comics, as he frequently reflects on their final battle and harbors a burning desire for revenge.
• Internal Betrayal: A Sith's true arch-enemy is often their own Master or apprentice. The Rule of Two institutionalizes this betrayal. The apprentice is expected to overthrow the Master, and the Master is expected to be wary of the apprentice's ambition. The comics show Vader secretly pursuing his own agenda and seeking artifacts of power behind Palpatine's back, embodying the constant, simmering conflict at the heart of the Sith Order.

• The Galactic Empire: The Sith were the secret masters of the Empire. Darth Sidious, as Emperor Palpatine, was its absolute ruler, and Darth Vader was its most feared enforcer. The entire Imperial machine, from its stormtroopers to its Star Destroyers, was a tool to enforce the Sith's will upon the galaxy.
• Confederacy of Independent Systems (Separatists): During the Clone Wars, the Separatist movement was orchestrated from the shadows by Darth Sidious, with his apprentice Darth Tyranus (Count Dooku) as its public leader. The entire war was a Sith plot to destabilize the Republic, amass emergency powers, and position Palpatine to seize control.

Written by Charles Soule, this 25-issue series is arguably the definitive origin story for Darth Vader in his suit. It begins moments after Revenge of the Sith and chronicles his brutal first years. Key events include Vader hunting a Jedi Master to claim his kyber crystal, which he then tortures and “bleeds” to create his red lightsaber; his subjugation of the newly formed Inquisitorius; and his construction of his fortress on Mustafar. The series is a masterclass in exploring the psychology of a newly-minted Sith Lord, showing his struggle to abandon his past identity and fully embrace the dark side.

Kieron Gillen's 25-issue run takes place between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back. After the destruction of the first Death Star, Vader is on thin ice with the Emperor. The series follows Vader as he operates more independently, assembling a team of rogue agents (including the popular character Doctor Aphra) to pursue his own goals. The single most important moment in the series is when Vader learns the name of the rebel pilot who destroyed the Death Star: Skywalker. This revelation changes everything, shifting his motivation from serving his master to finding and turning his son, a classic Sith maneuver to overthrow a rival.

This major crossover event, set between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, centers on the lost carbonite-frozen body of Han Solo. Darth Vader becomes a central player, hunting Solo not just for the sake of the Empire, but as bait to lure Luke Skywalker into a confrontation. The event highlights the Sith's influence across the galactic underworld, as Vader clashes with crime syndicates like Crimson Dawn, Jabba the Hutt, and numerous bounty hunters. It showcases Vader at the height of his power, a relentless force of nature whom the entire galaxy fears.

The primary “alternate version” of the Sith is their incarnation in the Legends continuity. Marvel's Epic Collections frequently reprint these classic tales. The Legends Sith are defined by a far more expansive and epic history.

• Ancient Sith Empires: Unlike the more secretive canon Sith, the Legends Sith ruled vast empires openly for millennia, commanding legions of warriors and fleets of warships. Figures like Naga Sadow and Exar Kun are legendary Dark Lords who nearly conquered the galaxy.
• The Lost Tribe of the Sith: A faction of Sith who were stranded on a remote planet for 5,000 years, developing their own unique culture and interpretation of the dark side, completely unaware of Bane's Rule of Two.
• Darth Krayt's One Sith: In the Legacy era (set over 100 years after the films), a new Sith Order, the “One Sith,” emerges. Led by Darth Krayt, this order abandons the Rule of Two in favor of a new doctrine: loyalty to a single, all-powerful Dark Lord. They successfully conquer the galaxy and nearly wipe out the Jedi Order once again. This version contrasts sharply with the secretive, conspiratorial nature of Bane's Sith.

The original Marvel Comics run from 1977-1986 is now considered part of the Legends continuity. However, its depiction of the Sith was unique to its time. Darth Vader was the only significant Sith character for most of the run. The deeper lore of the Sith Order, the Rule of Two, and ancient Dark Lords was not yet established. This version of the universe featured unique characters like the “Dark Lady” Lumiya, a non-Force sensitive who became a Sith Lady through cybernetics and training from Vader, eventually wielding a lightwhip. This iteration represents a fascinating, formative period before the Sith's backstory was fully codified.

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