I’m curious as to what fans had in mind for sequel trilogy villains before the Thrawn books or Dark Empire comics existed.
Hmm, I’m not completely sure how to answer that. As someone who grew up with the EU in the 2000s, I often look at them and use those existing characters as inspiration to form my own villains and what not.
But if I was in the 1980s, I’d think the villains in VII, VIII, and IX would be in the same vein as Lumiya and the Nagai from the Marvel Star Wars comics. Or possibly come up with a new group who can use the Force and serve as a rival to the new Jedi Knights (who are not Sith and/or 100% dark side). I dunno. Just spitballing here.
Anakin killed women and children for a mom he didn’t give a fuck about (if he did, he would’ve done something instead of fucking around on Naboo). It’s as bad as Luke trying to kill Kylo in TLJ because neither Luke or Anakin are what the OT established: good men. It’s character assassination. Now, fuck off.