I re-read the Star Wars: Dark Empire comics and now I’m not mad at Palpatine’s return anymore

When Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker came out, many fans were left confused—or just plain frustrated—by the sudden return of Emperor Palpatine. After all, we had seen him fall down a reactor shaft in Return of the Jedi. His death marked the end of a tyrannical empire and the redemption of Anakin Skywalker. So, how was he back? And why now?

Like many others, I didn’t like it. It felt rushed, unexplained, and too convenient. But recently, I re-read the Star Wars: Dark Empire comic series from the early ’90s. And suddenly, Palpatine’s comeback didn’t feel so out of place anymore. In fact, it made more sense than I remembered.

The comics tell a version of his return that predates the sequels by decades. They explore his obsession with cheating death, his use of cloning, and the terrifying concept of a villain who just won’t stay dead. With that background, the sequels’ story feels less like a twist and more like a continuation of an idea that has always existed in Star Wars lore.

Let’s break it down.

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Palpatine’s Resurrection in Dark Empire

The original comeback

First published in 1991 by Dark Horse Comics, Star Wars: Dark Empire takes place about six years after Return of the Jedi. In it, Palpatine reveals that he survived by transferring his spirit into a clone body—something he had prepared in secret. This version of his return wasn’t just about bringing the villain back. It built on everything we already knew about him: his command of dark powers, his desire for immortality, and his obsession with control.

But these clone bodies weren’t perfect. Each decayed rapidly under the stress of channeling so much dark side energy. The Emperor had to constantly switch bodies, and eventually, he tried to possess Han and Leia’s infant son, Anakin Solo, to secure a younger, stronger vessel.

The horror of this plan deepened Palpatine’s character. He wasn’t just back—he was worse, desperate, and more dangerous than ever.

Luke’s risky gamble

In one of the comic’s most surprising twists, Luke Skywalker temporarily joins Palpatine as an apprentice. But it’s not a heel turn. Luke wants to understand the dark side better and defeat it from within. It’s a gamble—one that nearly costs him everything.

His choice adds emotional weight to the story and shows how strong Palpatine’s influence still is. This version of Luke’s struggle mirrors the themes of temptation and resistance that have always been central to Star Wars.

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How the sequels echo Dark Empire

The same core concept

Palpatine’s resurrection in The Rise of Skywalker mirrors the core story of Dark Empire. Again, he returns by transferring his essence into a cloned body. Again, the body is imperfect, barely held together by the Force. He hides on a remote planet, Exegol, while building a new army in secret.

Even the visuals feel familiar. In both versions, he appears decayed and skeletal, hooked up to strange machines, kept alive only by Sith magic and science.

Whether intentionally or not, the sequels borrow heavily from Dark Empire. That connection gives his return a layer of legacy that’s easy to miss if you haven’t read the comics.

Different execution, same message

Still, there are differences. Dark Empire gives Palpatine time to slowly manipulate events. The sequels bring him back suddenly in the final film, with little setup.

The comics also explore more of the emotional and philosophical cost of his return. Luke’s internal conflict, Leia’s strength, and Palpatine’s desperation all unfold over several issues. The sequels compress that into a single movie, which makes it feel rushed.

But despite the pacing, the message remains the same: evil never dies easily.

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Why Star Wars: Dark Empire made me see things differently

Palpatine’s return was always part of the lore

One of the biggest criticisms of the sequels was that Palpatine’s return “came out of nowhere.” However, Dark Empire proves that this plot point has been in Star Wars for over 30 years. The idea of the Emperor escaping death through cloning wasn’t invented for the sequels—it was lifted from existing lore.

If anything, the sequels are continuing a story that fans already knew, even if not everyone was familiar with the source material.

It reinforces Star Wars themes

The comics also help clarify an important idea: in Star Wars, evil doesn’t vanish with one final battle. Darkness returns, again and again, in new forms. Whether it’s the Empire becoming the First Order or Palpatine jumping from one clone body to another, the struggle continues.

That’s a more realistic—and powerful—message. Good doesn’t win forever just because it wins once. Heroes must remain vigilant.

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The bigger picture: Legacy, obsession, and fear

Palpatine is fear itself

Both Dark Empire and the sequels portray Palpatine as more than a man—he is a force of fear, control, and obsession. His refusal to die represents a deeper threat: the idea that power, once gained, is never surrendered willingly.

His use of cloning isn’t just sci-fi convenience. It shows his refusal to let go, his fear of death, and his complete dependence on dark power. He’d rather live forever in a broken body than face the unknown.

Luke and Leia’s Legacy

In Dark Empire, we see the next generation of heroes—Luke, Leia, and even her children—grappling with the consequences of Palpatine’s return. That mirrors the sequels, where Rey, Ben Solo, and the Resistance take on that same burden.

The fight may change hands, but it never truly ends.

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Revisiting Star Wars: Dark Empire changed how I feel about Palpatine’s return in the sequels. What once felt like an awkward plot twist now feels like a callback to deeper, older stories in Star Wars history.

The comics laid the groundwork decades ago, showing us that Palpatine’s fear of death and obsession with power would drive him to cheat death, over and over. It’s not a retcon. It’s a continuation of who he has always been.

While the execution in the sequels could have been smoother, the core idea holds up. Palpatine’s resurrection isn’t lazy—it’s a legacy. And now, instead of being mad, I see it for what it is: another chapter in the endless battle between light and dark in the galaxy far, far away.