Marvel’s Darth Vader (2017): The best of the new Star Wars canon
The new Darth Vader run from Marvel Comics is everything you want…
One of the more positive aspects of Disney purchasing Lucasfilm was the return of Star Wars to Marvel Comics. After years away from the publishing house that helped launch a galaxy far, far away, Star Wars is back were it belongs.
That is no knock on Dark Horse Comics, who brought us some of the best reads offered in the former Expanded Universe. But Star Wars truly belonged where it was initially introduced to the public, at Marvel.
After a few years of finding their stride in the Star Wars universe, Marvel has a bonafide hit on their hands with the current run of Darth Vader. The series itself is redefining how we look at the Dark Lord of the Sith. It has been providing us a Star Wars story we desired for a long time, Anakin’s true transformation to Darth Vader.
The series picks up where Revenge Of The Sith leaves offs, with a mechanically re-assembled Vader in the Emperor’s clutches. Quickly Vader comes to realize the favor he once had with Palpatine has ended. He will be tested and tortured at the Emperor’s hand, the rigors of being a Sith Apprentice.
Photo Credit: Lucasfilm
The series is not only Character defining, but quite possibly also Galaxy defining.
Charles Soule has penned this run from the very first issue, and has done a fine job of of giving us Vader’s post ROTS history. Not only has Vader been tested by the Emperor but also by Imperial officers who feel that he has no place in the Empire. The Dark Lord of the Sith disposes of enemies and “allies” alike in taking hold of his rightful place at the Emperor’s side. Soule delivers a Darth Vader longed for since Obi-Wan Kenobi utter the words:
”…Darth Vader, who was a pupil of mine until he turned to evil, helped the Empire hunt down and destroy the Jedi knights.”
The character is well on his way into becoming the Darth Vader we see in The Empire Strikes Back. This Vader will no longer suffer those who endanger his cause. And the pain inflicted by the Emperor will have reached its breaking point.
Photo Credit: Marvel, Star Wars
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The series has also given great insight into how the Empire rises from the ashes of the Clone Wars. And like other Star Wars books being published currently by Marvel it provides readers with glimpses as to the how and the why the Rebel Alliance comes to fruition. The five-issue story arc that plays out over issues #13-17 is a perfect example of this. Over the course of the arc we witness the cause of Mon Cala joining the Rebellion.
Next. Star Wars announced new books and comics at SDCC. dark
If you haven’t been reading the current run of Darth Vader from Marvel do yourself a favor and visit your local comic shop. If that isn’t easy enough for you, every issue is available digitally via the Marvel Comics App. The series has easily been some of the best new canon content created. One can only hope the series continues what has so far been a fantastic run.
Pick up Darth Vader (2017) at your local comic shop.