This image was taken from Issue 2 of the Dark Empire comic series published by Dark Horse. The story takes place six years after the Rebels destroyed the Second Death Star in Return of the Jedi. A reborn clone of the Emperor returns to reunite the fragments of the Empire.
This page clearly illustrates the fact that Palpatine had been cloning himself for a long time. This is a very important plot element that was completely ignored in the Prequel Movies. This could have been used to beautifully illustrate Palpatine's motives in wanting to destroy the Jedi.
In Revenge of the Sith, Palpatine tells Anakin the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis. This is almost a great story! One of the few beautiful nuggets of the Original Prequels that will remain, mostly unchanged, in the Improved.
Plagueis had discovered the secret of immortality. Ironically, his apprentice murdered him in his sleep after Plagueis had taught him everything he knew. Palpatine was that apprentice, and used the lure of this power to convince Anakin to turn to the Dark Side.
In the Original Prequels the "secret" is that Plagueis could convince the midi-chlorians to keep himself and others alive. According to Palpatine only Plageuis had achieved this form of immortality. He convinces Anakin that together they could figure out the secret again.
First, This contradicts the idea that Plageuis had taught Palpatine everything he knew.
Also, Midi-chlorians have been erased from the Improved Prequels history.
Finally, Cloning is not the secret.
June 15th, The Phantom Menace Begins....
