WhenEmperor Palpatinewas killed during the Battle of Endor inReturn of The Jedi, the forces that served under him understandably refused to admit defeat to the Rebel Alliance. But one Imperial in particular is taking extreme measures to ensure the galaxy doesn’t learn the full extent of the Rebels' victory. Sowho is Grand Moff Ubrik Adelhard, the new big bad of Marvel’sStar Warsuniverse?
Moff Adelhard is already the main antagonist in Marvel’sStar Wars: The Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising. But inEwoks #1, the Grand Moff discusses with General Koyatta, the administrator of a weapons depot buried on Endor, about going back to the moon to retrieve weapons for the Empire. So if other Imperial officers are now answering to Adelhard, he may have a bigger influence than I originally thought.Could this be a successor to Emperor Palpatine himself?
Grand Moff Ubrik Adelhard is Already One of The Deadliest Threats To the Rebellion
Even After The Emperor’s Death, The Fight Continues
Ubrik Adelhard was first mentioned inStar Wars Aftermathby Chuck Wendig, and later made his first full appearance in the mobile gameStar Wars: Uprising.Moff Adelhard most recently made an appearance inThe Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising #1,where he made it quite clear that anyone who traffics misinformation about the Emperor’s demise will answer to him, and face a steep death penalty. He opens a sector-wide channel and sends a message to the entire Anoat sector (containing Bespin, Hoth, and more worlds)claiming the Rebellion has been defeated, not the Empire, and that the Emperor is still alive.
I Think Emperor Palpatine Just Named The Heroes of Star Wars' Next Era (After The Rebellion & Resistance)
With Palpatine dead, plans for the Empire after his death is unfolding, suggesting a new threat to his ultimate vision… in the form of an Imperial!
Moff Adelhard is best known for the unfolding plan referred to as ‘The Iron Blockade,’ formed immediately after word of Emperor Palpatine’s death reached the officer. Taking immediate effect,Adelhard locks down the entire Anoat sector, isolating its citizens from the rest of the galaxy. He claims it’s to keep his citizens safe, but in reality it’s to keep any information of the continuing war and the Emperor’s death from spreading any farther. InInsurgency Rising #1,it’s established that the victorious Rebels are amassing outside the boundaries Adelhard has drawn, and I believe the Iron Blockade will soon be seen in full effect.
Grant Moff Adelhard Has The Potential To Be A True Successor To Palpatine
Adelhard Took A Different Path After The Battle of Endor.
For obvious reasons, the Iron Blockade also triggers an uprising of fighters, since it not only causes a shortage of food and supplies within the Anoat sector, but the Anoat sector is a major supplier of tibanna gas for the galaxy, meaning a widespread fuel shortage. But the new revelation that Adelhard’s influence extends to other Imperials means he is commanding more of the Imperial Remnant outside the Anoat sector, making it highly likely he’ll be able to cause problems for other heroes besides the original trilogy family.
After Emperor Palpatine’s death,pre-recorded messages outlining Operation: Cinderwere delivered to the Emperor’s top commanders. A contingency plan to destroy enemy planets, and send the surviving leaders of the Empire to The Unknown Regions (to eventually become The First Order). And whileAdelhard’s plan goes against Palpatine’s own intentions, it leans more towards the preservation of the Empire. And that distinction is exactly why it demonstrates his superior, unbreakable dedication to the Empire.
Moff Adelhard’s Growing Role Could Mean A Cameo in The Mandalorian and Grogu
The period of theStar Warssaga followingReturn of The Jediis being explored more and more in-depth, with The Battle of Jakku a major turning point. The Iron Blockade is broken, Imperials are learning the truth of the Emperor’s death, and surrendering to the Rebel Alliance. But looking elsewhere in the current slate ofStar Warsstories adding to canon, none stands out more thanThe Shadow Council introduced inThe Mandalorian.
Gathering the likes of Moff Gideon, Brendol Hux, Gilad Pallaeon, and all being led by Grand Admiral Thrawn, the alliance has already caused many problems for Din Djarin, with teases of much more significant plans and impacts to come across the galaxy.
“The Empire Is Thriving”: Star Wars Explains How the Empire Survived Palpatine’s Defeat
Star Wars: Battle of Jakku begins with Insurgency Rising #1, revealing the Empire’s immediate reaction after Palpatine’s demise in Episode VI.
With upcoming films likeThe Mandalorian & Grogu, and Dave Filoni’s film focused on the gap betweenReturn of The JediandThe Force Awakens, fans can expect the Imperial Shadow Council to pose threats to heroes like Din Djarin, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and the rest of the Rebels and New Republic. If Moff Adelhard becomes popular enough with the fans through this new comic era, I don’t see why he wouldn’t join the Shadow Council in live action media.
Allying with Grand Admiral Thrawn, returned to the main galaxy viaAhsoka, Adelhard’s unwavering devotion to the Empire would make the group even more unstoppable, but we’ll have to wait and see. First comesEwoksandInsurgency Rising, which will hopefully execute the Iron Blockade story to its full potential, and see Adelhard survive (if not thrive) long enough to team up with other Imperial Remnants.
Grand Moff Adelhardis already more influential than I first imagined he could be, and his appearance in live action is seeming more and more inevitable by the day. Fans can follow along by reading all theStar Warsstories being published by Marvel Comics.
