Warning: contains spoilers for Star Wars: Revelations #1!The Star Wars saga is known for some of the most iconic villains in all of pop culture, and thanks to a look into the future, it's clear fans are about to be introduced to another - Ajax Sigma. Recently, Darth Vader received a vision of the future, in which he foresaw the threads from various ongoing titles drawing together. As Qi'ra makes war on the Empire in Hidden Empire, she will encounter the Spark Eternal from Doctor Aphra, all while Darth Vader sees its titular Sith lord attempting to negate her ultimate weapon, the Fermata Cage, which contains a Sith rival to Palpatine.
The visions take place in Star Wars: Revelations #1, which also introduces the droid warrior Ajax Sigma. Fans see aspects of the droid's backstory, with Sigma being built on Kligson’s Moon, where it's stated that unlike other droids, he “dared to be free.” Sigma raised an army of droids and was struck down by the Jedi of the High Republic, but even though his body was destroyed, his neural core was saved. It passed from person to person down through the centuries, even ending up in the hands of Han Solo and Chewbacca, who buried it. Soon, it will be found and brought to the world of Mechis III in the Techno Union, where Sigma will be reborn.
A vision of the future shows Sigma being rebuilt and returning to his mission to free droids from sapient control. The droid will return to Kligson’s Moon, ending up in battle with Luke Skywalker, and committing himself to ridding the galaxy of the last Jedi. Sigma is also shown leading a group including the deadly droids IG-88, 0-0-0 and the explosive Blastomech BT-1. Several recent Star Wars stories have grappled with the role of droids in the universe, showing that at least some crave freedom. This means that though Sigma is promised to be a significant danger to both Luke and Vader alike, he may not entirely be a villain. After all, he is seemingly fighting for the freedom of droids. The Eye of Webbish Bog tells Vader that the Force itself is at stake from the events shown, and that Sigma will play a major role in the fate of the galaxy. The vision occurs in Star Wars: Revelations #1, from Marc Guggenheim, Justin Mason, Dono Sanchez-Almara, and a host of other artists.
Ajax Is a Powerful Leader & Warrior
The issue shows Ajax Sigma engage Luke in combat, losing after putting up an impressive fight, but it's clear he'll be more than a solo fighter, and will be looking to assemble an army of droids. Ajax Sigma's name is likely a reference to Greek mythology, and the warrior hero Ajax the Great. Ajax was known for being a powerful and shrewd combatant, however, near the end of the war Ajax was driven mad and killed himself in shame. From his blood sprung a red flower that bore his initials, A.I., which was expressive of an ancient lament, but could also be interpreted by Star Wars to speak to the idea of artificial intelligence.
An ancient enemy of the Jedi whose larger goal in the Star Wars universe may yet be honorable, Ajax Sigma is coming to the galaxy far, far away very soon, and may end up forming a new faction to rival both the Empire and the Rebellion, given the number of droids he should hypothetically be able to draw on. Star Wars just got a fascinating new villain, and unlike its various Sith and bounty hunters, this one is fighting for an admirable ideal - one that may cast the Jedi as the larger villains in their ancient conflict.
Star Wars: Revelations #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.