As a devoted Star Wars fan, particularly of Dr. Aphra’s escapades, I find her droids, 0-0-0 and BT-1, a fascinatingly dark mirror to R2-D2 and C-3PO. Both of Aphra’s droids are hellbent on murder in a hilarious way, and would make a fantastic addition to the live-action Star Wars universe.

BT-1 and 0-0-0 made their debut in Darth Vader #3 (2015), written by Kieron Gillen and illustrated by Salvador Larroca, and immediately became the complete opposite of the heroic droid duo we all know.

Where Artoo is a beacon of courage and resourcefulness, always aiding his organic companions, Beetee (BT-1) is a walking arsenal, a “blastomech” in astromech disguise. While Artoo beeps with helpful intent, Beetee likely whirs with anticipation about deploying his deadly weaponry. Similarly, Triple-Zero (0-0-0), a protocol droid twisted into a torture enthusiast, stands in stark contrast to the anxious and etiquette-obsessed C-3PO.

BT1 and 0-0-0 Both Have Unique And Equally Terrifying Backgrounds

Despite Being Murderous, The Droids Are The Best Comic Relief

Triple-Zero stands in stark contrast to the fussy protocol droid, C-3PO. Threepio is known for his worrying, his adherence to etiquette, and his often-unhelpful (albeit well-meaning) pronouncements. Triple-Zero, on the other hand, is a protocol droid whose programming has been warped to focus on torture, interrogation, and generally inflicting pain. His knowledge of galactic customs isn’t used to smooth diplomatic relations but to devise more effective methods of psychological torment. As he himself states upon his reactivation, his specialty is “human-cyborg relations,” with a decidedly sadistic twist.

Though resembling a standard 3PO-series protocol droid in appearance, 0-0-0’s history is anything but ordinary. The Triple-Zero personality matrix was an accidental creation during the Old Republic era, deemed too dangerous and ordered for destruction. However, the malevolent AI escaped by possessing a lab assistant droid. Over the decades, 0-0-0 fell into the hands of figures like the Tarkin Initiative, who attempted to “improve” its ethical programming; a process which 0-0-0 violently rejected. Before his activation by Doctor Aphra in Darth Vader #3, Triple-Zero had already established a reputation for murder and mayhem across the galaxy.

Their continued adventures in the Doctor Aphra comics have only cemented their place as fan-favorite characters who offer a welcome dose of dark humor and chaotic energy to the Star Wars universe, a stark and entertaining contrast to the unwavering heroism of R2-D2 and C-3PO.

BT-1 is a heavily armed astromech droid originally created by the Tarkin Initiative for offensive purposes. Unlike standard astromechs focused on repairs and navigation, Beetee was equipped with an array of weaponry, including flamethrowers, blasters, and explosives, all concealed within his deceptively familiar design. His programming emphasized destruction and combat efficiency, making him a highly dangerous operative before his eventual association with Doctor Aphra after escaping the Initiative’s control.

The Duo Make Their Mark In Every Comic Appearance

Doctor Aphra Is The Only Person Chaotic Enough To Take Them Under Her Wing

Throughout their Star Wars comic appearances, the duo consistently demonstrate their capacity for extreme violence and their enjoyment of it. In Doctor Aphra (2016) #4, when Aphra instructs Beetee to “slow down” a group of stormtroopers, the blastomech’s solution is to obliterate them with grenades, a course of action that Triple-Zero dryly justifies by stating that “being dead should slow them down.” This morbid humor and their casual disregard for organic life are hallmarks of their characters.

Unlike Anakin Skywalker, Pé Amidala, Luke Skywalker, or Leia Organa’s reliance on Artoo and Threepio for genuine assistance and companionship, Aphra’s relationship with Triple-Zero and Beetee is one of uneasy alliances and often outright manipulation.

0-0-0 and BT-1’s unique appeal lies precisely in their subversion of familiar Star Wars tropes. They take the archetypes of the helpful droid companions and twist them into something delightfully wicked. In Darth Vader #3, when they are first activated, their dialogue immediately sets the tone. Triple-Zero's polite yet chilling pronouncements about his desire to assist in “interrogation, torture, assassination, and general mayhem,” and Beetee’s eagerness to test his “full combat load out” are a far cry from Artoo's cheerful beeps or Threepio’s anxious warnings.

The Vader Down crossover miniseries by Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato further emphasized the droids’ role as dark mirrors to Artoo and Threepio. A variant cover for Vader Down #1 even depicted Aphra, Triple-Zero, and Beetee in poses reminiscent of Leia, Threepio, and Artoo, but with a decidedly sinister edge. This visual representation solidified their status as the evil twins of the more heroic droid duo. Their continued adventures in the Doctor Aphra comics have only cemented their place as fan-favorite characters who offer a welcome dose of dark humor and chaotic energy to the Star Wars universe, a stark and entertaining contrast to the unwavering heroism of R2-D2 and C-3PO.

The dynamic between Aphra and her droids highlights their dark nature. Unlike Anakin Skywalker, Pé Amidala, Luke Skywalker, or Leia Organa’s reliance on Artoo and Threepio for genuine assistance and companionship, Aphra’s relationship with Triple-Zero and Beetee is one of uneasy alliances and often outright manipulation. She knows they are dangerous and self-serving, and they, in turn, view her as a means to their own violent ends. This is a far cry from the loyalty and occasional exasperated affection that characterizes the interactions between the Rebel heroes and their droids. Who wouldn’t want to see that dynamic in live-action?

BT-1 And 0-0-0 Are Sorely Needed In The Live Action Star Wars Universe

Two Sadistic Droids Wreaking Havoc Across The Galaxy Would Only Lead To Unforgettable Shenanigans

The continued absence of 0-0-0 and BT-1 from live-action or animation genuinely baffles me, as it feels like a missed opportunity to inject a unique brand of dark humor into the Star Wars cinematic landscape. Their twisted personalities and gleeful embrace of chaos would offer a refreshing contrast to the more straightforward heroism we often see. Imagine the darkly comedic banter between a politely sadistic protocol droid and a blastomech with an itchy trigger finger brought to life with modern special effects. After all, being an unhinged war criminal droid is exactly what made Chopper a fan-favorite in the animated series Rebels and live-action Ahsoka.

As a dedicated fan, I believe the unique dynamic of a blend of genuine threat and morbid humor Triple-Zero and Beetee bring is something sorely missing from the current live-action Star Wars offerings. Their presence would inject a much-needed dose of unpredictable chaos and darkly comedic anti-heroism, in my opinion. They aren't just evil versions of Artoo and Threepio; they are compelling characters in their own right, capable of adding layers of intrigue and unexpected levity to any story, and I truly believe their inclusion would be a significant benefit to the franchise.

Their inclusion would not only delight comic readers but also introduce a compellingly different kind of droid duo to a wider audience, proving that the galaxy far, far away has room for more than just shiny heroes. For now, 0-0-0 and BT-1’s chaotic adventures remain confined to the Doctor Aphra and Darth Vader comics, a treasure trove of darkly comedic untapped potential. While I eagerly anticipate seeing them brought to life, it seems the only content featuring our favorite sadistic protocol droid and explosive astromech lies within the s of the Doctor Aphra—Chaos Agent comic series by Cherish Chen and Gabriel Guzman.