In Star Wars' most recent comics, dark weapons have revealed themselves, as explored in Alyssa Wong, Minkyu Jung, and Victor Olazaba's Doctor Aphra #15. In Aphra's alma mater, the University of Bar'leth, the cult known as the Ascendant sought to weaponize and replicate the Dark Side of the Force. An exclusive Star Wars article just revealed issue #22 of Doctor Aphra has a mysterious artifact created by the Ascendant trap Aphra in her own mind.

During Doctor Aphra #15, the galaxy's most reputable archeologist discovers and uses a thought dowser, another artifact created by the Ascendant. Upon using the relic, Aphra gains the power to dominate her enemies' minds. The thought dowser is said to be like a lightsaber, meaning the user doesn't need to have any knowledge or experience with the Force to use it. However, if someone like Darth Vader wields a thought dowser, "the effect would be crushing," similar to Marvel Comics' Thanos wielding the Infinity Gauntlet or DC Comics' Darkseid wielding the Anti-Life Equation.

Related: Star Wars' Ascendant Cult Was So Powerful, Even the Sith Feared It

Doctor Aphra #22 teases that the Spark Eternal could be the most dangerous Ascendant artifact yet. The article on Starwars.com states: "Trapped in her own mind, Aphra's only hope for escape lies in her own memories... but will she find a way out before the Spark consumes her completely?" It appears the Spark Eternal will forge a mental prison for Aphra, establishing an introspective setting going through her most notable moments. The effects of the Spark are still shrouded in secrecy; nobody knows what will happen to Aphra if she becomes consumed by these new mystical weapons that channel the Dark Side of the Force.

The Ascendant differs from the Sith in one significant way: materialism. Although the Sith seek power, part of the Code of the Sith is literally "through victory, I gain power," they do not seek material power. In the original Star Wars movie, A New Hope, Darth Vader even says: "The ability to destroy a planet is insignificant next to the power of the Force." The Ascendant's cultists likely tried to find an overlap between Vader's shrewd threat against the Death Star. While the Force has the power to change someone's destiny, ultimately disregarding all uses of material power, the Ascendant intertwined their artifacts with the Force so that they may be stronger than the Sith could ever imagine.

Doctor Aphra could be the only one capable of overpowering the Ascendant's mysterious weapons due to her studies at the University of Bar'leth. Her archeological expertise and adept instincts will undoubtedly prepare her for a mental journey. After all, Aphra survived a grueling encounter with a Bor, a mind leech that first appeared in Rogue One, and never lost her mind. Doctor Aphra #22 will be one of many Star Wars comics coming out this June.

Next: Star Wars Reveals How to Sabotage a Lightsaber

Source: Star Wars