See gallery These are the defining moments in Obi-Wan Kenobi's long, storied career as a Jedi Master and defender of the Old Republic.

DUEL AT NABOO: Obi-Wan was still technically a Padawan learner when he made his first real mark in the galaxy in The Phantom Menace. Obi-Wan managed to become the first Jedi in a thousand years to defeat a Sith Lord in open combat. You'd better believe he earned his promotion to full-fledged Jedi Knight after that. BIO-DROID THREAT: Years before the Clone Wars animated series chronicled Obi-Wan's exploits between Episodes II and III, Steven Barnes' 2004 novel Star Wars: The Cestus Deception offered the definitive take on this Jedi Master in his prime. This book teamed Obi-Wan with fellow Jedi Master Kit Fisto to stop a Separatist plot that involved "bio-droids," fearsome warriors capable of battling even the Jedi to a standstill. AN OLD FLAME: The Star Wars movies tend to depict Obi-Wan as a chaste monk who's not terribly conflicted about his role in the Jedi Order. But The Clone Wars added shades of gray to the formerly squeaky clean Jedi Master. In the Season 2 episode "The Madalore Plot," fans are introduced to Duchess Satine, the ruler of Mandalore and an old flame of Obi-Wan's. It was a fascinating relationship that continued to grow over the course of the series. UNDERCOVER: As it was often wont to do, The Clone Wars took a dark turn in the Season 4 episode "Deception," as Obi-Wan was seemingly killed by an assassin named Rako Hardeen. But it turned out that Obi-Wan merely faked his death in order to impersonate Hardeen and go undercover. That proved to be the start of a multi-episode arc that showcased a very different challenge for this elite Jedi Master. A GRIEVOUS VICTORY: Obi-Wan established himself as one of the greatest swordsman in the galaxy when he defeated Darth Maul in one-on-one combat. But he really cemented his reputation by singlehandedly taking down the bane of Jedi Knights everywhere, General Grievous. Even having four lightning-quick lightsabers at his disposal wasn't enough to help Grievous survive the calm, unflinching skill of Master Kenobi. A LOST FRIEND: Obi-Wan battled the toughest opponent of his career when he confronted his fallen pupil Anakin on the fiery surface of Mustafar. Obi-Wan ultimately triumphed over his arrogant foe, but not without a heavy personal cost. Star Wars fans will forever wonder how much different the galaxy might have turned out if Obi-Wan had decided to end Anakin's life. DON'T LET THE WOOKIEE WIN: Marvel Comics has been offering a new glimpse into Obi-Wan's lost years living on Tatooine, thanks to a recurring storyline called "From the Journals of Old Ben Kenobi." That story hit is peak in Star Wars #20, which features a flashback to Obi-Wan's brutal battle with Black Krrsantan, a bounty hunter who makes Chewbacca seem shrimpy and even-tempered by comparison. OLD WOUNDS: Before the Clone Wars animated series established that Darth Maul survived his encounter with Obi-Wan on Naboo, Dark Horse Comics broached the idea in a series called Star Wars: Visionaries. While not meant to be canon, Aaron McBride's short story "Old Wounds" clearly influenced The Clone Wars in its depiction of Maul as a feral, cybernetically enhanced monster hellbent on revenge. In an interesting twist, Obi-Wan couldn't bring himself to execute his old enemy, leaving Owen Lars to finish the job instead. MAUL REMATCH: It was the animated series Star Wars Rebels that ultimately offered the definitive account of the final battle between Darth Maul and Obi-Wan Kenobi. The Season 3 episode "Twin Suns" saw Maul finally track down his old enemy, only to discover that, even in old age, Obi-Wan is not an opponent to be underestimated. Obi-Wan defeated Maul once and for all, protecting Luke once again and leaving the dying Maul with the knowledge that the end of the Sith was close at hand. A REUNION: Obi-Wan Kenobi is a man who knows how to make an entrance. In Star Wars: A New Hope, not only did he scare off an entire pack of Tusken Raiders, he introduced himself by way of one of the most iconic lines in the Star Wars saga - "Obi-Wan Kenobi... now that's a name I've not heard in a long time... a long time." CANTINA SHOWDOWN: Obi-Wan is a skilled Jedi Master who's bested some of the finest warriors in the galaxy. But viewers didn't know that when they saw Obi-Wan stroll into the wretched hive of scum and villainy that is Mos Eisley Cantina. Obi-Wan showed what it means to be a Jedi when he protected Luke from a run-in with Dr. Evazan and Ponda Boba. Only after his peaceful overtures were rebuffed did Obi-Wan unleash his blade and leave poor Ponda one arm lighter. SACRIFICE: Obi-Wan may once have been powerful enough to defeat enemies like Darth Maul and General Grievous, but in the end he simply met his match in the form of his former pupil, Darth Vader. But Obi-Wan is the rare sort of hero who proves his strength in defeat as well as victory. He fulfilled his promise of becoming more powerful in death than Vader could possibly imagine. Only in the context of the Prequel Trilogy do we understand just how rare it is for a Jedi to become a Force Ghost after death. THE VOICE: It wasn't long before Obi-Wan proved that he could serve more use in death rather than life, as his disembodied voice guided the fledgling Jedi Luke Skywalker and gave young Luke the confidence he needed to bring down the Death Star. A CERTAIN POINT OF VIEW: Luke's reunion with Obi-Wan's Force ghost in Return of the Jedi is definitely a memorable moment for both characters, if not exactly the brightest point in Obi-Wan's long career. Here he finally acknowledged what he had kept from Luke for all those years - that Darth Vader is Luke's father. Obi-Wan imparted an important bit of Jedi wisdom - that truth depends on a person's point of view. But at the same time, we have to wonder if this bit of deception feeds into Luke's decidedly anti-Jedi stance in Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Ultimately, it all comes down to... your point of view. THE NEXT GENERATION: Obi-Wan may be long dead by the events of Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but the film showed fans that the late Jedi Master will still have some role to play in this ongoing saga. Obi-Wan's voice (via both Ewan McGregor and the late Alec Guinness) can be heard as Rey discovers Luke's lightsaber and comes to terms with her Force latency for the first time. Is it too much to hope for McGregor to appear as the ghost of Obi-Wan Kenobi before the new trilogy is finished? And let's not forget all the rumor and speculation that Rey is Obi-Wan's granddaughter...