Warning! This post contains a preview for Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Special #1

Star Wars just revealed that Anakin Skywalker’s path to the dark side could have easily started before his Jedi path thanks to the death of Qui-Gon Jinn. Having taken the young boy from his mother and home and Tatooine to be trained in the ways of the Force as a Jedi, losing Qui-Gon Jinn was deeply traumatic for Anakin Skywalker. To that end, a new special comic celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Phantom Menace reveals just how deeply was impacted, revealing canonical never-before-seen moments from the first Star Wars prequel film.

In Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Special #1 by Greg Pak and Will Silney, Anakin is excited to tell Qui-Gon about his adventure in Naboo’s orbit, helping take down the Trade Federation’s command ship and its droid armies on the planet’s surface. However, Anakin sensed Qui-Gon’s death at the hands before it was confirmed by Obi-Wan Kenobi. Struggling with the loss of the mentor he’d only met a few days prior, this new issue confirms that Anakin’s dream of returning to Tatooine and freeing the slaves darkened, now tinged red and teasing his turn to the dark side.

As a result, this new Star Wars comic helps cement the idea that Obi-Wan’s determination to honor Qui-Gon’s dying wish for Anakin to be trained was ultimately what helped keep Anakin’s darkness from overwhelming him. He was still set on his Jedi path, learning how to wield the light side of the Force up until his eventual corruption 13 years later as seen in Revenge of the Sith.

Qui-Gon’s Death Was Deeply Traumatic For Anakin Skywalker

His Future Was Uncertain Before Obi-Wan

Set before, during, and after the events of The Phantom Menace, this new issue is incredibly dynamic as a canonical addition to the Star Wars timeline. To that end, the most notable elements are Anakin’s thoughts and recollections of the past, showing what he was thinking after Obi-Wan confirmed Qui-Gon was no more. Obi-Wan’s doubts, the hesitations of the Jedi Council to train Anakin, and their concerns that he could be dangerous are all shown and tinged with a red background, an indication of Skywalker’s inner turmoil.

Likewise, Skywalker’s thoughts culminate with this corrupted image of the idealized adult Jedi version of himself Anakin dreamed he’d be as seen at the beginning of the issue. It’s proof that without Qui-Gon, darkness threatened to overwhelm and claim this 9-year-old boy whose entire life had already been upended. Before Obi-Wan promised to train him in Jinn’s place, Qui-Gon was all Anakin had and the only one who believed in him. As such, it makes sense the negative impact of losing Qui-Gon could have driven Anakin to the dark side were it not for Kenobi.

Anakin Could Have Gone To The Dark Side Years Too Early

Driven By The Loss Of Qui-Gon Jinn

Had the Jedi Council decided that Anakin would not be trained, it’s almost certain he’d have been driven to the dark side years earlier than he was meant to in the Star Wars timeline. Anakin needed Obi-Wan and the stability of the Jedi path to keep his turmoil and emotions in check, and his training helped keep him in control for years until he was seduced to the dark side by Palpatine in Revenge of the Sith. As such, this issue is a major piece of evidence that confirms how easily things could have gone bad for Anakin Skywalker following Qui-Gon Jinn’s death.

The Phantom Menace 25th Anniversary Special #1 is now on sale from Marvel Comics.