Star Wars: Mara Jade - By the Emperor's Hand #1

Released in 1998 by Dark Horse Comics, this issue marks the debut of the limited series dedicated to Mara Jade, a character originally created by Timothy Zahn for his 1991 novel, Heir to the Empire. The comic was commissioned to expand upon the backstory of the Emperor’s former Hand, exploring her transition from a loyal servant of the Dark Side to an independent operative following the fall of the Empire. This series served as a cornerstone of the Expanded Universe, providing a visual identity for a character who had previously existed primarily in prose.

The comic was scripted by Timothy Zahn and Michael A. Stackpole, ensuring consistency with the character's literary origins, while Carlos Ezquerra provided the interior art. Ezquerra utilized a gritty, textured aesthetic that aimed to ground the space-fantasy setting in a more realistic, espionage-focused tone. The series was well-received by fans of the novels, effectively bridging the gap between the Expanded Universe's literature and its growing presence in the comic book medium.