Star Wars has announced a brand-new adaptation that will cover the true history between Grand Admiral Thrawn and Anakin Skywalker. As seen in Ahsoka, the former Imperial leader revealed his familiarity with Anakin Skywalker, citing his history of Ahsoka Tano’s master as a core reason why he defeated her by successfully returning to the known galaxy by the series’ end. Now, this new adaptation will reveal Thrawn’s past adventures with Anakin (and Darth Vader) in an all-new way.
As announced during NYCC’s Lucasfilm Publishing panel, it was revealed that the 2018 novel Thrawn: Alliances will be receiving a comic adaptation in January 2024. Coming from original author Timothy Zahn, Thrawn’s creator will be joined by Jody Houser who wrote the comic adaptation of Zahn’s preceding Thrawn novel in the Star Wars canon. Additionally, the announcement also revealed the first issue’s cover art from Rod Reis:
Taking place during the Clone Wars as well within the Dark Times of the Empire’s reign, Thrawn: Alliances reveals Thrawn’s chance meeting with Anakin Skywalker. Likewise, the novel also shows Thrawn’s first mission with Darth Vader once he became a Grand Admiral with the ranks of the Imperial Navy. As such, it will be very exciting to see the novel brought to the comics medium with all-new art as key visuals.
Alliances Explains How Thrawn Knew Anakin Skywalker (And Darth Vader)
Near the end of the Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker and Thrawn met each other on the planet Batuu. Having ventured to the known galaxy from the Unknown Regions to seek allies and new technology for his people the Chiss, Thrawn encounters Anakin who was looking to rescue his wife Padmé whom the Republic had lost contact with. Working together, Thrawn learned about the ongoing conflict from Skywalker before they parted ways, having great respect for one another.
Years later, Thrawn would return during the Empire’s reign where he caught the interest and favor of Emperor Palpatine. This earned Thrawn a position within the Imperial Navy where he eventually became a Grand Admiral. He’d then be paired on a mission with Darth Vader to of all places: Batuu. Thanks to his impressive intellect, it didn’t take Thrawn long to deduce that Vader was once the man he met during the Clone Wars. As such, the mirroring of adventures should be very exciting to see in the upcoming adaptation.
This new comic adaptation is also a chance for Thrawn’s characterization to better match what’s seen on-screen. While it doesn’t differ too much, it’s fairly evident that Timothy Zahn has always seen Thrawn as a more redemptive figure in his Star Wars novels, working within a sinister system for the sake of his own people in the Unknown Regions. However, that’s not a nuance that has ever been seen with Thrawn’s animated depiction nor his recent live-action debut in Ahsoka. Regardless, it will be very exciting to see Thrawn’s relationship with Anakin Skywalker in a whole new way when Thrawn: Alliances hits shelves in January 2024.
