From her first appearance in Heir to the Empire, Mara Jade struck a nerve with many Star Wars fans, and her popularity has only skyrocketed with each successive appearance since. As an elite Imperial agent, and Hand to the evil Emperor Palpatine, Mara Jade has the intelligence and strength to manipulate the Force and turn events to her favor, and in the debut of her own comics series, Mara Jade -- By the Emperor's Hand, all she knows and everything she stands for is put to the ultimate test. Sent on a mission to assassinate Luke Skywalker, Mara is intercepted and prevented from completing her bloody task. So she is reassigned the task of offing the head of an intergalactic crime ring, but as she soon finds out -- all is not as it seems, and her position as the Emperor's Hand might be as dangerous to her as it is to her targets.
"Few series have been so anticipated by fans," exhorted editor Peet Janes, adding "and few series have developed so cleanly. Fans responded overwhelmingly in the positive what asked if they would like to see a Mara Jade project, but only if authors Timothy Zahn and Michael Stackpole were involved. The Mara Jade series is a true synthesis of creators wanting to create it, and fans wanting to see it. The addition of artist Carlos Ezquerra to the team only sweetens the deal."
Star Wars: Mara Jade -- By the Emperor's Hand is a six-part, full color series chronicling the adventures of Imperial agent and assassin Mara Jade. The first issue of this exciting new series, written by Timothy Zahn and Michael Stackpole, featuring art by Carlos Ezquerra and covers by Kilian Plunkett, debuts August 5 and retails for $2.95.