After Luke Skywalker blew up the Death Star, Emperor Palpatine demotes Darth Vader leaving a low ranking imperial officer in charge. I consider Robot Chicken’s sketch with Palpatine chewing out Vader on the phone canon. Vader goes on a solo mission to wipe out the Rebel Alliance so he prove himself worthy to Palpatine by taking work in the criminal underworld filled with scum and villainy. Meanwhile, Vader searches for answers on the Rebel pilot he almost shot down.
Darth Vader’s solo comic book series officially published in 2015 (same year Dragon Ball Z: Resurrection F came out) earning good reception from critics, fans and readers alike.
It doesn’t matter if SPOILERS. We all know the outcome of The Original Trilogy.
Powerful & Weak Aspects
Powerful: Kieron Gillen did a decent job writing all six issues.
Salvador Larroca‘s artwork glued my eyes to every panel. Giving it a cinematic quality.
Action Sequences displays Vader’s power of the Dark Side and lightsaber combat skills.
Vader meets archeologist, Doctor Alphra. She helps him on his mission. Unlike that stalker, *cough* Rose Tico, *cough* Alphra actually serves a purpose assisting Vader. She also has killer droids, Triple-Zero & BT-1. They’re homicidal versions of C-3PO & R2-D2.
Random Thoughts
- I often play John Williams’ soundtrack in the background. To get into the mood.
- Rather than playing the Opening Theme during an issue’s Opening Crawl, I went with Vader’s theme, “The Imperial March.” Because his solo comic focuses on him.
- Whenever I read Alphra’s dialogue, I hear Chloe Bennet’s voice. Skye from “Agents of SHIELD.” She’d be perfect in a live action movie or TV show. I also have a crush on Bennet.
- Whenever I read Cylo’s dialogue, David Arquette’s voice pops up. David looks the part if he’s casted in a movie or TV Show. If they ever happened, he encounters another bad guy in a black outfit as in Ghostface from the “Scream” series.
Vader & Alphra’s ship is the exact same ship Padme used to fly. The former has unpleasant flashbacks.
Vader travels to Geonosis to build his secret units, leftover Battle Droids without Palpatine’s involvement.
Jabba appears in the first issue. He reveals Jedi mind tricks don’t work on him. Luke tried use one on Jabba in “Return of the Jedi.” As George Lucas once said, “Like poetry, it rhymes.”
Dr. Clyo plays a big role as a cybernetic scientist. He’s one of the people who saved Vader from dying in Mustafar. You know, Obi-Wan took the high ground. Anakin recklessly jumps. Obi-Wan chops his legs off.
We all know Vader’s a professional but kisser to Palpatine. Eventually win his trust back. Gotta do whatever you can to get your old job back. Turns out Palpatine orchestrated the missions Vader was partaking. A secret test of redemption.
Boba Fett appears in the final issue informing Vader the Rebel pilot he almost shot is Skywalker. Vader realizes it’s Luke. Duh!
Weak: Pacing’s too fast. Not enough issues to cover one storyline. I wanted more issues of Vader working with gangsters.
The Final Verdict: A-
Darth Vader’s solo six issue storyline is a very good spin-off. It’s interesting to see what happened after A New Hope. Vader trying to get his old job back and learning who the Rebel Pilot destroyed the Death Star is his own son. Obviously leading up to his fixation with Luke in “The Empire Strikes Back.” Despite one flaws it’s still better than Obi-Wan’s Disney Plus mini-series.
Nickthemoviecritic.com 