Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi - The Freedon Nadd Uprising

The Freedon Nadd Uprising is a two issue mini-series that continues from the first Tales of the Jedi series.  In the first two issues of the original mini-series, Jedi Master Arca and his apprentices Ulic Qel-Droma, Cay Qel-Droma, and Tott Doneeta defeat Queen Amanoa, who was influenced by the spirit of the dark Jedi Freedon Nadd.  Onderon is uniting under the rule of Queen Galia of the walled city of Iziz and Beast-Lord Oron Kira.

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi - The Freedon Nadd Uprising #1a - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (August 1994)

Despite their victory, Arca senses the strong presence of the dark side on Onderon and Jedi Oss Wilum is summoned.  Oss arrives just as Arca is moving Freedon Nadd's body off world to the Dxun moon due to the dark side presence and an uprising by Freedon Nadd loyalists.  As the bodies of Freedon Nadd and Queen Amanoa are escorted to the spaceport, the procession is attacked by Naddists piloting a subterranean vehicle and the bodies are taken underground.  Wanting answers, the Jedi, Galia, and Oron visits Queen Galia's father, King Ommin, at a medical facility to learn he is under the influence of Freedon Nadd.  At the facility, a fight breaks out again with Naddists and Jedi Master Arca is capture by King Ommin.  As Arca is take away, Freedon Nadd's spirit tells Ulic: "Fight well young Jedi -- A great destiny awaits you!" foretelling of Ulic's fall to the dark side.  The remaining Jedi, Galia, and Oron escape the facility to learn the Iziz palace is captured by Naddists so they flee the walled city to the citadel of Oron's father, Modon Kira.

Meanwhile, on the Jedi stronghold planet Ossus, Jedi Master Thon and his apprentice Nomi Sunrider and her daughter Vima meet with Jedi Master Vodo.  Nomi constructs a lightsaber and receives training as a Jedi.  When the Jedi on Ossus learn of Jedi Master Arca's fall, five Jedi are selected to go to Onderon: Dace Diath, Shoaneb Culu, Qrrrl Toq, Kith Kark, and Nomi Sunrider.

On Coruscant, the Republic Senate debates how to handle the Onderon situation while two dark side followers and heirs to the throne of the Empress Teta system, Satal Keto and cousin Aleema, enter a museum containing dark side artifacts.  They learn the Sith civilization died out and along with the Sith, the Dark Lords have disappeared.  They steal a Sith book and learn the Senate has decided to dispatch a fleet to Onderon to quell the uprising.  Satal and Aleema decide to go to Onderon as well to learn the secrets of the Sith book.

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi - The Freedon Nadd Uprising #2a - Dark Horse Comics, U.S. (September 1994)

Satal and Aleema arrive on Onderon while the Republic forces are attacking Iziz.  Their ship, Krath Enchanter, is hit in the crossfire and they crash in the city.

As the Republic forces take Iziz, the Jedi dispatched from Ossus attack forces that are laying siege to Modon Kira's citadel.  In the attack Kith Kark dies while the other Jedi wonder why the Jedi held up in the citadel are not fighting.  Ulic, Cay, Oss, and Tott do eventually emerge from the citadel to join fray now that the overwhelming dark side energy is slightly dissipated due to the presence of the other Jedi.  Nomi Sunrider is mysteriously overwhelmed by the strong dark side energy but recovers.  The Jedi decide to move against the main threat, King Ommin.

Back in Iziz, Satal and Aleema seek out someone to help unlock the secrets of Sith book.  They are taken by Naddists to the subterranean lair of King Ommin.  Ommin gives them a talisman that concentrates the power of dark side allowing Satal to read the ancient book.  The Jedi attack the lair defeating Ommin and his followers.  Satal and Aleema retreat, retrieving the Sith book and two Sith swords, guided by the spirit of Freedon Nadd.  As Master Arca is freed, Freedon Nadd's spirit warns: "The Jedi have not won today ... as you will one day learn -- the Jedi have lost!"  In the aftermath of the defeat of the Naddists on Onderon, the bodies of Freedon Nadd, Queen Amanoa and King Ommin are shipped to Dxun Moon where they are entombed.

The Tales of the Jedi mini-series are fast paced and packed with story as exemplified by this mini-series.  These two issues have so much content, today it would be decompressed and told over two six issue story arcs.  Almost twenty five years after these issues originally were published they hold up really well.  The continuity between the various mini-series is tight and I find these stories of the Jedi 4000 years before the battle of Yavin a terrific addition to the Star Wars lore.  I love the continuity and foreshadowing of Ulic Qel-Droma's fall and, despite their Legend's status, I highly recommend them to Star Wars comic fans.