When was Maul's prime?

I said comparable. And sure, why not? Sidious picked Maul under the premise that he was strong enough to succeed him.

Maul was very powerful and capable as of TPM, and remember that a big chunk of his training was outsourced to the Orsis academy and things like that. But even in his early 20s he was already comparable to people like Mace or Dooku.

Then he got bisected, which, given what we know of Anakin, should lessen his potential tremendously. Then he spent a decade as a madman, with no training or use of the Force whatsoever.

After Talzin heals him he is enough of a threat that both Yoda and Dooku sense him through the Force and are greatly concerned. And in a short while he becomes powerful enough that Sidious steps up and nips the threat in the bud.

Can you honestly say that if Maul hadn't lost half his body and had the benefit of a full 30-40 year apprenticeship, that he wouldn't have surpassed Sidious?

Even if we go by Lucas' now irrelevant "full potential Anakin is twice as strong as the emperor" quote, that would still make a full potential Maul comparable, assuming he caps at 120-140% of Sidious' power.

But leaving all that aside, in case you haven't noticed the Chosen One's potential doesn't mean much these days, with the rise of Rey and Kylo Ren.

Both experienced an insane rise in power way faster than Anakin did. Of course, Luke already did the same, so that's nothing new.

The Chosen One has lost his luster a long time ago.

Yeah since this is all Disney Canon, even a few hours of training can make all the difference apparently.

Not that theres anything to suggest that comic takes place literally hours before TPM. Just the fact that Sidiois sends him to battle against both a seasoned master and padawan (and believing they would be no match for him), suggests some time has past since the days where a solo padawan was a challenge for him.

Meh, there is more evidence to suggest that the comics are set very close to the events of TPM, then there is to suggest otherwise...

Aside from the overall depiction of Maul and Palpatine, the opening crawls/intro pages for a few of the issues are indicative of such:
https://i.imgur.com/iucH2hK.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/sLYD8fO.jpg
"The moment of revenge is close at hand..."

https://i.imgur.com/0dQQHoA.jpg
"The Jedi's days are numbered..."

We also know that by the time of these issues, Palpatine had already allied himself with the Trade Federation:
https://i.imgur.com/eBEAYyH.jpg

And had already set his plans against the Jedi in motion:
https://i.imgur.com/eTONyMj.jpg

So yeah. srug

^ None of those are quantitive though and could still be 1 or 2 years out.

Anyway heres the official interview with the author:

https://www.starwars.com/news/exclusive-cullen-bunn-talks-marvels-darth-maul-series-plus-a-first-look-at-new-variant-covers

He does confirm it takes place shortly before the events of TPM, but he also confirms Maul is younger here than in any of his on screen appearances.

And I personally doubt a few weeks to a month prior would be considered younger. In fact from that statement, I would guess its at least a year prior.

Agreed with Darth Thor. A couple weeks to a month earlier is doubtful that he'd be considered younger. He might even be considered older if anything. 👆

Originally posted by Darth Thor
He does confirm it takes place shortly before the events of TPM, but he also confirms Maul is younger here than in any of his on screen appearances.

And I personally doubt a few weeks to a month prior would be considered younger. In fact from that statement, I would guess its at least a year prior.

Where in the heckfire are you getting a year prior from? Given the evidence I posted above, along with the writer himself stating that the series is set shortly before TPM, and I'd say we're talking about a few weeks here at the most. ermm

So he pointed out that he was a younger by a few weeks lol. Who would say that.

I said a year, because younger usually refer to at least a year lol.

Would be like saying Revenge Maul was younger than Revival Maul. Though technically true, Like who would say that lol.

Originally posted by Galan007
the writer himself stating that the series is set shortly before TPM[/url],

Yes, I already told you that.

This is the exact quote (for context before you give more technicalities):

hes younger than he was in ANY of his on screen appearances, but there are still shades of the man HE WILL BECOME....

The man he will become next week? Yeah sure.

Originally posted by Darth Thor
So he pointed out that he was a younger by a few weeks lol. Who would say that.

I said a year, because younger usually refer to at least a year lol.

Would be like saying Revenge Maul was younger than Revival Maul. Though technically true, Like who would say that lol.

"The moment of revenge is CLOSE AT HAND..."
"The Jedi's DAYS ARE NUMBERED..."
"This series takes place SHORTLY BEFORE the events of TPM..."

Couple that with Palpatine being allied with the Trade Federation, AND stating that his plans against the Jedi were "already IN MOTION", and you honestly think this is the writer's way of describing "at least" a year gap? C'mon, man. ermm

Originally posted by Darth Thor
This is the exact quote (for context before you give more technicalities):

hes younger than he was in ANY of his on screen appearances, but there are still shades of the man HE WILL BECOME....

The man he will become next week? Yeah sure.

So yes, ALL the evidence points to the comics being set right before TPM -- likely just a matter of weeks at most. I don't understand how this is even debatable, tbh.

Originally posted by TheIndyJedi
I think most people here believe SOD was Maul's prime. We obviously know it wasn't Rebels, as confirmed by Matt Martin. But couldn't it be argued that Maul declined after TPM?

Maul had grown more powerful since the last time he'd been in Sidious's presence, before the Neimodian invasion of Naboo had turned diastrous and Obi-Wan had bested him inside the Theed power core. His hermitage on Lotho Minor, his lessons on Umbara, his restoration by Mother Talzin, and his training of Savage had all strengthened him, made him a more worthy vessel for the dark side to fill with its power.
--Darth Maul: Shadow Conspiracy p.180

^ Probably not canon though.

Originally posted by Darth Thor
^ Probably not canon though.

Naw, only things be Canon are TCW and everything post 2014(unless noted otherwise).

^ Right. So Shadow Conspiracy isnt Canon. And that line (plus the one in Sith Hunters) contracdict a lot of Filonis general comments on Mauls resurrection anyway.