Warning! Spoilers for Star Wars: Crimson Reign #2
It has been revealed that General Grievous has a surprise role in Crimson Dawn’s war against the Empire. The Clone Wars villain continues to have an impact on the galaxy even in the timeline of the original trilogy.
Star Wars: Crimson Reign is expanding on the crime syndicate originally introduced in Solo: A Star Wars Story. Following the events of War of the Bounty Hunters, the Empire is at odds with Crimson Dawn, led by Qi’ra. As she has recruited an alliance including the Knights of Ren and Ochi of Bestoon among others, it’s been emphasized that each person has a reason to despise the Empire. The crime syndicate’s most mysterious member has had some of her motivations revealed in Crimson Reign #2, written by Charles Soule with art by Steven Cummings, and a cover illustrated by Leinil Francis Yu.
In a flashback to the Clone Wars, General Grievous accompanies battle droids as they slaughter a planet, where Deathstick lived as a child. Her mom managed to rescue her, as two of the few survivors from Grievous’ rampage. The tragedy eventually spurred Deathstick to become an assassin, working for Crimson Dawn. Although General Grievous isn’t around anymore, he influenced a key member of the crime syndicate who is now fighting the Empire. Since Emperor Palpatine had ordered for her the annihilation of her planet, she holds a grudge against the Empire which drives her throughout Crimson Reign. Qi’ra reveals Deathstick’s tragic backstory, saying, “Deathstick's entire lineage was wiped out during the Clone Wars. She and her mother were two of the few who escaped. Almost since birth, she has carried the weight of that knowledge-- that she was once part of something larger than herself... and it was taken away."
Although Deathstick is waging war on the Empire because of General Grievous’ actions, she is also unknowingly avenging him. In a strange turn of events, Deathstick is fighting the one who caused Grievous’ demise. During Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine treated the general like a pawn, intended to distract Obi-Wan Kenobi to allow time to lure Anakin to the dark side.
Similar to Maul, who previously led Crimson Dawn, it’s possible that Grievous would have been glad to see the war waged against the Empire. Now, Deathstick carries on Maul’s legacy alongside Qi’ra in fighting the Emperor. While they don’t share General Grievous’ or Maul’s personal motivations, they aren’t far off from the rebels.