For three years, Darth Bane has been the subject of much gossip in the Star Wars fandom. This ancient Sith lord is a staple among the extended universe of stories. Created in 2001 under the Dark Horse Comics banner, he is credited with resurrecting the Sith ways and crafting the infamous “Rule of Two,” meaning there can only be two Sith at a time. Besides that, he simply has an awesome look that comic artists have adored for years.
We may have our best chance yet at seeing him brought to life. Recent reports have circulated that James Mangold is helming a Star Wars project that will take place in the galaxy far, far away’s distant past. That raises eyebrows about the Old Republic and possibly Darth Bane’s involvement.
While very little is known about Mangold’s Star Wars entry, it should have you keeping an eye on these key issues.
STAR WARS: JEDI VS. SITH #1
The major selling point for this issue is Darth Bane’s first appearance. However, there’s another character who could be on her way to the world of live action: Darth Zannah. It’s more reason to want Jedi Vs. Sith #1, especially since prices are low for the moment.
Two years ago, this was predicted to be the next big thing in the land of Star Wars key issues. Back in 2021, the graded 9.8 sold 25 times and averaged an astounding $988. In fact, it set a record that year with a massive $1,800 sale. By 2022, it took a huge dip in fair market value. That year, the average fell to $600, and it’s been hovering below the $300 mark so far in 2023.
If you can get your hands on one, the real money maker here is the Dynamic Forces variant. Three years ago, a 9.8 sold for as much as $2,500. Although there haven’t been any sales in 2023, one did trade hands for $2,025 a year ago.
STAR WARS: JEDI VS. SITH #3
When it comes to comic collecting, there’s more than just the first appearance that makes the hot lists. In many cases, the cover debut is as important (and sometimes more so) than the actual first appearance. It just happens that Darth Bane graced his first cover on the front of Jedi Vs. Sith #3.
Few copies have traded hands online in recent years. There haven’t been any sales for graded 9.8s in 2023, and the last time one swapped owners online was to the tune of $400 in October 2022. However, that was a drop from the prior year’s high of $599.
More recently, the newsstand edition graded at a 9.6 has been on the move. In March, one sold for a respectable $201.
OLD IS NEW
With a talented writer and director like Mangold behind the camera, we are safe to assume big things for his mystery Star Wars project. Fans have been waiting years for LucasFilm to venture into the Old Republic for new content. What’s great here is that it would allow the franchise to steer away from the Skywalker Saga.
As much as we all love Luke and Anakin, it’s clear from Andor and The Mandalorian’s successes that audiences are ready for something new. Seeing the origin of Darth Bane play out on the big screen would give them just that.
