Summary

  • The Scourge, a new god-tier villain in the Star Wars universe, is copying Emperor Palpatine's plan to possess Luke Skywalker.
  • The Scourge is an all-powerful formless artificial intelligence that assimilates droids and cyborgs in its quest to conquer the galaxy.
  • In Star Wars: Dark Droids #2, the Scourge possesses C-3PO and tries to learn about the Force from Luke Skywalker, with the ultimate goal of possessing him.

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Star Wars: Dark Droids #2 Luke Skywalker is one of the strongest Jedi in the history of Star Wars, which means it’s only natural that a number of villains have wanted to corrupt, possess, or otherwise use him and his immense power in the Force for their own gain - including and especially Emperor Palpatine. And now, there’s a new god-tier villain within Star Wars lore who seems to be copying Palpatine’s plan to possess Luke: the Scourge.

Marvel Comics’ current Star Wars continuity involves the rise of an all-new threat known as the Scourge. This ongoing crossover event - Star Wars: Dark Droids - follows this formless artificial intelligence as it assimilates droids and cyborgs across the galaxy. The Scourge tried this before many years ago, but was thwarted by a group of ancient Sith, who used the Force to trap the Scourge inside their ancient prison known as the Fermata Cage. After the events of Hidden Empire, the Scourge was released from the Fermata Cage, and is now trying to conquer the galaxy once more. However, this time it knows the only thing that can stop it is the Force, and has thereby decided that it needs to assimilate meat as well as metal, so that it may have access to the Force. In that effort, the Scourge has its countless eyes set on two Force-s, one of whom is Luke Skywalker.

Star Wars’ Scourge Wants To Possess Luke Skywalker (Like Palpatine)

The Scourge plotting to possess Luke Skywalker.

In Star Wars: Dark Droids #2 by Charles Soule, Luke Ross, and Alex Sinclair, the Scourge has possessed C-3PO, and is using the protocol droid to have a chat with Luke Skywalker. The possessed Threepio asks Luke about the Force, what it is exactly and if it can be manipulated by anyone, including droids. Luke speaks honestly, saying that he really doesn’t know too much about the Force in that great of detail, as he’s still learning himself. While this lack of help or insight makes the Scourge consider killing Luke, the Scourge decides to save Luke’s mind for a later date, whether that be through information that Luke may learn about the Force later, or through outright possession, as is the Scourge’s true goal.

This interaction mirrors a secret plan Palpatine had for Luke, one that wouldn’t be revealed until the events of Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker. The film revealed that Palpatine learned the dark Force power of Essence Transfer, which dictates that one can escape death by linking their spirit to an object, a place, or a person. However, to do so with another living person is tricky, and that person has to have fallen under the influence of the dark side for it to work. This is why Palpatine wanted Rey to strike down his clone body in Rise of Skywalker, as doing so would open her up completely to the dark side, and by extension, open her up to him as well. That’s also why Palpatine wanted Luke to strike him down in anger on the second Death Star, as the son of Anakin Skywalker would have made the perfect new host for Palpatine’s evil spirit.

While the Scourge hasn’t figured out how to possess organics yet - and currently has its eyes set on its second choice of host, the cyborg Force- Darth Vader - it is interesting that the Scourge wants to possess Luke and use him for its own goals just like Palpatine. Two of the most evil entities in Star Wars see Luke Skywalker, and instead of wanting to kill him for fear of Luke ruining their plans, they want to possess him. It makes sense, given Luke’s strength in the Force, but it is a strange thing to happen (or almost happen) to someone twice in one lifetime, as Star Wars’ new god-tier villain is copying Emperor Palpatine’s plan to possess Luke Skywalker.

Star Wars: Dark Droids #2 by Marvel Comics is available now.