Leif Notae
Sage
Prologues break down to this. You use a prologue if your protag is a weak character/cannot carry the opening. Star Wars was perfect "prologue" because Darth Vader was strong enough to open the story. It gave a sense of foreboding and set the plate for when a final confrontation would happen.
All other prologues outside of a villain/antagonist showing up and setting the mood for your protagonist to exist in are wrong. An abysmal failure and, in some cases, only an excuse for the author to talk to themselves.
Either you have Chapter one with your hero strong and resolute, or you have a prologue with your villain strong and resolute, and then your protagonist weak and limping into the story.
Kill your prologues.
All other prologues outside of a villain/antagonist showing up and setting the mood for your protagonist to exist in are wrong. An abysmal failure and, in some cases, only an excuse for the author to talk to themselves.
Either you have Chapter one with your hero strong and resolute, or you have a prologue with your villain strong and resolute, and then your protagonist weak and limping into the story.
Kill your prologues.