Author: James T. Skywalker
Date posted: 5/30/2001 4:00:11 PM
James T. Skywalker's Comments:

I really enjoyed this fan fiction, and though it took a while to read, it was very cool. I liked the Emperor storyline, but there were a few facts you missed.

•When Vader cut off Luke's right hand, he sent his Noghri commandos to find the hand, not an Imperial commander.

•Vader didn't plan to go straight to the Emperor with Luke's severed hand. He wanted to take it to his private castle on Vjun. The Emperor commanded Vader to come to Wayland, and Palpatine stored the lightsaber and hand in his Mount Tantiss facility.

•Palpatine didn't use a spirit anchor to return to Byss. He just made the long journey to Byss from Endor in spirit form, through interstellar space. He returned to Byss around a year and a half after the Battle of Endor, and took the next few years to recover.

•Mara Jade was captured by Ysanne Isard's Intelligence people after returning to Coruscant, and escaped soon after, never returning to Imperial service.

That's about all I really wanted to note. Great story otherwise!
James T. Skywalker

Author: Quiller
Date posted: 7/27/2001 1:05:12 PM
Quiller's Comments:

A phenomenal, complex story that offfers a startling glimpse into a 'heart of darkness'.

Author: Kael Hakubi
Date posted: 9/5/2001 4:45:28 PM
Kael Hakubi's Comments:

While James is correct, I think you can be forgiven since most of those details came out in novels & comic books that I'm certain were released after you wrote this. If I recall correctly (and if that damned ysalamir weren't perched on my shoulder, I could be sure about it) I first read this fic nearly 4 years ago

Author: Ladybug
Date posted: 9/27/2001 9:31:48 AM
Ladybug's Comments:

This story (group of stories) is the single best piece of fanfiction I have ever read. It is phenomenal- beautifully written, perfect characterization and completely captivating.
I disagree with the previous poster, James. There is no possible way for any author to completely take every piece of SW literature into consideration when writing. There is so much out there to read, much of it obscure, and a great deal of it contradicts other sources. FanFic must be read as individual works, not held to unyielding continuity standards. Stories written today may well be inaccurate next year when new films or novels are released.
It is clear that Brandon knows and understands his subject matter to an impressive degree. This story *felt* like Star wars when I read it - something that the vast majority of authors are not capable of pulling off with success.
The ending was especially moving - and a wonderful concept.
Outstanding in all regards!

Author: James T. Skywalker
Date posted: 10/16/2001 2:27:35 PM
James T. Skywalker's Comments:

I'll retract my earlier comments, seeing as I now understand how difficult continuity can be in a fanfic. I'm working on some myself, and I realize now that sometimes there are places where it's okay to stretch a bit. I really loved the story, though it was a long read ( ;-)) and I look forward to any of your other upcoming projects. Also, I love your Jedi Bendu Script site! :-)

~James T. Skywalker, retracting certain previous comments :)

Author: vader-incarnate  (signed)
Date posted: 8/2/2002 2:03:11 AM
vader-incarnate's Comments:

Bravo! I'll bet Luke'll be VERY surprised...

Author: Gash
Date posted: 8/13/2002 12:51:20 AM
Gash's Comments:

This is most certainly one of the best fan fictions I have read. To be able to to see and understand what is going on in the mind the Emperor is something I think we have only seen a few glimpses of. I look forward to anymore stories you may be writing.

Author: Lord_Darth_Bob
Date posted: 9/4/2002 8:59:49 PM
Lord_Darth_Bob's Comments:

Note to the poster who said Palpatine drifted by spirit from Endor to Byss, you are mistaken. In fact, what LFL through Gamer #5 decided to make it is almost ripped from this fanfic: Palpatine transfered himself into his Emperor's Hand Jeng Droga a few systems over from Endor. Droga was driven insane by this, but Sate Pestage recovered Droga and brought him to Byss, where Palpatine inhabited a fresh clone a year after Endor.

This is the best fanfiction I've ever read.

Author: stellrx
Date posted: 11/22/2002 5:18:03 PM
stellrx's Comments:

Bravo!

I must say, this is truly a brilliant piece. The ambiguity of the Force and death itself was truly beautiful. I am thoroughly impressed with what I have just read. I hope to see more by this author. Brendon Wahlberg, you have written the ultimate tale of the ultimate master. The Community is lucky to have talent like yours showing its strength in such a skillful way.

For the nitpickers: no one should care about the minute details of Palpatine's life and the general storyboard. this story was so encompassing and so engrossing that it should be appreciated for fiction's sake as well as for the fact that it captures the essence of good versus evil and the original Trilogy did. There is little information on the Emperor's past, and I am perfectly willing to accept this as canon if nothing else renders the details of the most powerful of the Sith Order.

Author: Darth_Emporus
Date posted: 12/6/2002 9:54:25 AM
Darth_Emporus's Comments:

Bravo the best story i have ever read it does have that original star wars feel to it that mystic force power that is explained in your story, i felt very moved by your story. I believe that this story is even better than what george lucas could have done you should seek his approval and publish this. Very6 good story i also thought the apprentice sidious was a masterpeace to, but the ending to this was phenomenal, you gave the true meaning to the jedi and sith thankyou very much for writing this

Author: karlossswan
Date posted: 1/10/2003 1:15:08 AM
karlossswan's Comments:

Only one word for it.....Fantastic

It links all the behind the scenes evil together, that the films and books dont focus on.

I loved the bit at the end where yoda, obi wan and anakin were in the realm of the light side

Again...Fantastic

Author: Christoph  (signed)
Date posted: 1/29/2003 3:05:15 PM
Christoph's Comments:

Great story ... a Tour de Force. Bravo.

Author: Tycalibur  (signed)
Date posted: 2/11/2003 6:16:38 AM
Tycalibur's Comments:

I read this story several months ago, but I have been meaning to add a comment on it since I did.

This story combines with 'Apprentice Sidious' to do something no one has attempted to do officially -- tell the story of Palpatine's background -- and it does it excellently. At first I was speculative, as GL himself said that the fact that we don't know where Palpatine came from as being part of his character. But, this story and 'Apprentice Sidious' threw all that skepticism aside.

I have read 'Dark Emperor' several times in order to take it all in. The story has taken into account the known SW timeline and is interwoven into it masterfully.

And lastly, it has the one quality of what I love most about any piece of SW fan fiction -- it is thought-provoking. Who would have thought Palpatine was just an innocent little boy in the beginning (and in the end)?

Palpatine is personified perfectly, the story, rich in detail, keeps the reader going and going despite its length... excellent work, Brendon. Need I say more?

-Tycalibur

Author: SABERFIGHTER
Date posted: 7/11/2003 8:59:52 PM
SABERFIGHTER's Comments:

WELL I SIMPLY HAVE TO APPLAUD YOU IN EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR CREATIVITY. I AM VERY NEW TO THESE FAN FICTION WRITINGS AND I LOVE THEM ALL SO VERY MUCH. AS TO THE LENGTH OF YOUR STORIES, I HAVE NO PROBLEM. I READ THE PALPATINE LEGACIES OVER THREE NIGHTS AND A OFTEN FOUND MYSELF DAYDREAMING AT WORK AND HOPING I'D GET HOME SOON TO FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED NEXT. HAD I A DAY OFF WHEN DISCOVERING YOUR WORK I WOULD HAVE READ IT THAT DAY. RATHER I ENJOYED LIVING WITHIN ANOTHER STAR WARS MOVIE. THE GREATEST ASPECT OF THE FAN FICTION IS TWO FOLD 1)WE CAN CONCENTRATE ON THE INNER THOUGHTS OF THE JEDI AND 2) WE CAN CREATE AS MANY MOVIES/BOOKS/SAGAS/STORIES AS WE WANT. I AM IN AWE OF THIS NEW REALM. THANK YOU ALL STAR WARS FANS AND NOVIELISTS. ALTHOUGH THE MOVIES MAY STOP, IT IS UP TO US TO CONTINUE THIS AWESOME UNIVERSE ALIVE. -ED

Author: GAKDragon
Date posted: 8/3/2003 9:44:04 PM
GAKDragon's Comments:

Another glorious piece of artwork crafted by the master fanfic writer, Brendan Wahlberg. A truly insightful piece, inspiring the imaginations of fellow fanfic writers - and addicted readers like myself - to tackle the Unknown Regions of subject matter: that of Palpatine's thoughts, emotions, and character before, after, and during the events which changed the fabric of the galaxy.

Author: BountyHunter
Date posted: 11/9/2003 5:06:06 PM
BountyHunter's Comments:

A Long read but, better than some of the actual novels published.

Author: MJSullivan  (signed)
Date posted: 11/30/2003 3:59:02 AM
MJSullivan's Comments:

I simply have to say - though i know it is very late, as this work has been online for years now - that it is the single greatest piece of fan fiction i have ever read. Length is no obstacle - the longer the better. Your tie-ins with the films and expanded universe are masterful.

If i were wearing - or indeed owned - a hat, i'd tip it. Thankyou for "Dark Emperor", Mr Wahlberg.

Author: Darth Ravenous
Date posted: 4/11/2005 5:17:45 PM
Darth Ravenous's Comments:

Only one word can describe this: WOW!
I thought this was good and as someone said, thought provoking. I thought that it was very cool how you took EU and the movies and combined them. I believe that all fans who have read this will consider it to be the offical history of Palpatine.
The only negitive thing I can think of(though it pains me to say it) is that the "Light Side nether-world" wasn't what I pictured it to be, and the end where they "cut away" the darknes in Palpatine and make him a child again without any memories of his time as the Emperor, to not be satisfying enough.
I think that Palpatine should get what he deserved and was afraid of all along, to disappear in the chaos of the dark side.
Besides that... great Job!

Author: Darth Cygnus
Date posted: 7/17/2006 6:34:35 PM
Darth Cygnus's Comments:

AT LAST!!!! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW LONG I HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS!?!?!?!?

Okay, now that we have my craziness out of the way, I can continue. I first read this epic when it was on a sub-site of theforce.net, and six years and four computers later, I had no idea where to find it until now.

I remember the subsite clearly, and that it had other fics, all of which I remember very well, when you consider how long its been. I even thought Dark Emperor was an official story for a while.

Anyway, I just wanted to say you are an incredible author and I can't wait to get back into your work, now that I've found it.

PS: what happened to the old site, where all this was archived originally?

Author: Wulf
Date posted: 8/23/2008 12:04:30 PM
Wulf's Comments:

Probably the best piece of fan fiction. Period. To the nitpickers, I read this story years ago, back in '98 at least. This piece pre-dates most of the silly and inferior ideas that have been published.

Hell, this is better than the prequals. =D

Author: Darth Cygnus
Date posted: 9/23/2008 8:37:50 PM
Darth Cygnus's Comments:

OK, it's been two years after my last comment, but I finally finished the Dark Emperor Saga after eight years and seven computers since the last time I read it.

This was every bit as incredible as I remember.

Score: 22 out of 10 = Pure Awesomeness. In fact, if you replace Darth Shado with Darth Plagueis and change the gender words appropriately, this could probably get published as the Official History of His Dark Majesty, Emperor Palpatine.

Author: Martin Fabian
Date posted: 7/11/2010 9:54:26 PM
Martin Fabian's Comments:

Awe-struck. So very much so.