Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld proves why villains rule the galaxy’s underworld
The show offers delightful encounters with outlaws, bounty hunters, and other scum of the universe
The third installment of the franchise's animation anthology follows the journeys of fan-favourite bad guys. (Disney+)
When George Lucas debuted Star Wars: The Clone Wars back in 2008, my Star Wars fandom was forever thankful as I followed my favourite characters in a galaxy far, far away.
Since then, the world of Clone Wars only got bigger with more animated spinoffs introducing new and old characters. To this end, I turn you to Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld.
This release marks the third installment of the Clone Wars spinoff anthology series — and Tales of the Underworld is the best by far. The show focuses on two fan-favourite villains: former Sith assassin Asajj Ventress and gunslinging outlaw Cad Bane. The six-part run provides more satisfying details about Ventress and Bane that will please any Star Wars fan.
The first three episodes follow Ventress in her post-Sith life as she helps a young Jedi escape from the empire. The last three are dedicated to Bane’s origin story of revenge and tragedy as he becomes one of the most notorious criminals in the galaxy.
The previous installments — Tales of the Jedi and Tales of the Empire — felt more like glorified deleted scenes or repurposed story arcs from Clone Wars. They had some interesting concepts, but weren’t the most compelling narratives to come out of Star Wars animation. Tales of the Underworld surprisingly became the series’ comeback.
The show is an enjoyable double feature with choose-your-own-adventure vibes that will appeal to any viewer. If you want lightsaber fights, bounty hunters, and a redemption arc, then follow Ventress. If you want a spaghetti western with blaster showdowns, dust-swept towns, and a revenge story, then follow Bane. The choice is yours, but you’re guaranteed masterful storytelling whichever direction you go.
What helps the series tremendously is that you don’t need to watch the previous Tales shows to understand Underworld. Because Tales is an anthology, every season focuses on different characters, so new fans won’t have problems following the story.
Having said that, if you want to learn more about Ventress and Bane, you’re more than encouraged to watch Clone Wars.
What also gives the series its edge is the fantastic world-building. The settings are enriched by the animation’s trademark style of worn-out textures and sleek colour palettes fused in past shows. This visual design evokes mystery and intrigue as the characters try to outsmart danger in shady marketplaces, dreary space ports, and steam-vented city streets.
Even as an animated series, Tales of the Underworld takes the time to explore mature themes common in the Star Wars universe. The show unpacks the long-term effects that conflicts can leave behind. We see Ventress still grappling with her past mistakes during the Clone Wars. Bane’s episodes use his tragic upbringing to convey what being raised in a life of crime can bring you.
Ventress and Bane’s stories have proven that the Tales series should focus more on characters from the criminal underworld. This third installment has done an incredible job in helping the series finally find its footing. I hope they continue in that avenue in future seasons.
Star Wars: Tales of the Underworld is an overall enormous improvement over its predecessors, with two fan favourite antagonists leading the way. If you’re ready, then press play on Disney+ and have fun entering the galaxy’s wretched hive of scum and villainy.
