Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Jedi Knights #6
I feel pretty confident thatStar Warsis about to explain whyQui-Gon Jinnwas the first Force ghost. Having learned to retain his consciousness in the Force after death, Qui-Gon Jinn posthumously taught this skill to both Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi. However, I think we’re about to see the events that led to the discovery of this rare knowledge.
A Jedi maverickwho chose to trust the will of the Force over the will of the Jedi Council, it’s not that surprising that Qui-Gon became the established canon’s first Force ghost after his death.However, I think we’re about to see how and why Qui-Gon Jinn came to learn this rare Force technique to begin with.
Qui-Gon Jinn Is Dying (Before The Phantom Menace)
As seen in Marvel’s ongoing (and canonical)Jedi Knightsseries by Marc Guggenheim and Madibek Musabekov, Qui-Gon Jinn has been hunted by a mysterious, revenge-seeking assassin named Corlis Rath (though his full connection and vendetta against Qui-Gon remain unknown).
Nevertheless, the newJedi Knights #6sees Rath making his move, dueling Qui-Gon and running him through with poisoned blades on the planet Mina-Rau, fulfilling a dark vision Jinn’s apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi had of his potential death in the series' first issue.
The issue ends with the confirmation thatQui-Gon Jinn is indeed dying and will lose his lifeunless Mace Windu and Aayla Secura can find an antidote in the following issue. Seeing how this issue takes place beforeThe Phantom Menace, we already know that Jinn will make it through alive and well.
However, I’m now wondering if Qui-Gon being faced with his mortality might ignite something within the impressive Jedi Master.
Qui-Gon’s Brush With Death May Result In A Key Discovery
I believe one of two things may happen in light of Qui-Gon’s new predicament, or perhaps a mixture of both.
Qui-Gon dying may result in a communion with the Force, providing a vision pointing to the Wellspring of Life,the homeworld of the midi-chloriansand the five Force Priestesses Qui-Gon’s Force ghost directed Yoda to learn from inThe Clone Warsseason 6. These are the beings who’ve long held the secret to retaining one’s consciousness in the Cosmic Force.
Additionally, perhaps it was this major brush with death that led Qui-Gon to seek out more knowledge and a greater understanding of the Force, resulting in his discovery and meeting with the Force Priestesses, asClone Warsimplies.
We know Qui-Gon Jinn learned the Force Priestesses' secrets, just not what prompted him to find or meet them in the first place. Time and future issues will tell for sure, but perhaps this new story was the inception point in theStar Warscanon.
Star Wars: Jedi Knight #6is now on sale from Marvel Comics.
