Published: July 20, 2022
Rating: T
Writer: Greg Pak
Penciler: Raffaele Ienco
Colourist: Carlos Lopez
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Paul Renaud
The synopsis;
The Dark Lord of the Sith relentlessly tracks a corrupt Imperial governor. But is Vader still driven by his quest for order—or has his encounters with shades from the past awoken new motivations? Meanwhile, few figures in the galaxy are more different than Sabé, handmaiden of Padmé Amidala, and Ochi of Bestoon, assassin of the Sith. So when they’re forced to work together in Vader’s ambit and the knives inevitably come out, who’s still standing at the end? And what will that lonely soul have to say when Vader returns?
The review;
Battling the dusty plains while the glare of two suns beats down, Renaud makes sure that sand is the real enemy in his direct cover for Darth Vader #25. If Anakin hated the stuff as a Jedi, then the gritty little molecules must plague Vader and his suit even more. Reis’ variant takes a similar approach, smearing Darth Vader behind the blasting winds of a sandstorm in a beautifully moody composition. Another Sith Lord, Darth Krall, makes an appearance on Sprouse’s Choose Your Destiny cover. Who is Darth Krall? He’s mentioned in Dooku: Jedi Lost by Cavan Scott and is also mentioned The High Republic comic series – he’s one of the infamous Lost 20.
After tracking down the corrupt Imperial Governor of Gabredor III, Darth Vader sets out in pursuit, determined not to let the traitor escape. He will not stop until every sympathiser of Crimson Dawn is wiped out. Meanwhile, Sabé and Ochi of Bestoon must somehow protect the citizens of the planet as the Governor’s terrible technology tries to absorb the life force of Gabredor III. Time is running out for both parties and tempers are beginning to fray.
As the first issue of Darth Vader (2020) after the finale of Kenobi, this story brings so much Prequel nostalgia that it is a perfect way to get more of Vader’s story even after the show is finished on Disney+. Pak weaves in the different references into one timeline so well, from a battle droid thinking it can take on the Sith Lord (it can’t, but points for trying) to Vader using the Force to try and bring down a whole ship. It’s almost like a love letter to the events in Kenobi.
This is an angry Vader, one who’s channeling so much Dark Side energy. He’s seen this Governor enslaving the people of Gabredor III, taking what little the people have away from them, and profiting from the suffering of the planet. All of this has to be hitting some long-buried nerve in Vader, and while he might not admit it, he’s reminded of his early years on Tatooine. Seeing what has befallen Kitster and Wald must spark a hint of compassion, even if Vader’s answer is to doggedly hunt down the treacherous Governor. Seeing Vader’s present collide with Anakin’s past is always fascinating, and Pak writes it so that fans can never quite tell what is going on inside the Sith Lord’s complicated mind.
Meanwhile Sabé is easily stepping back into a leadership role, something drilled into her from having to be Padmé’s body-double in the senate. During Queen’s Peril by E.K. Johnston, her mission was to free as many slaves on Tatooine as she could. That determination is exactly what she brings to Gabredor III and it’s a natural progression for her character. Seeing her interact with Ochi adds plenty of tension to the plot. The assassin is no longer the favourite and is trying to undermine Sabé’s authority, but she’s having none of it. The ensuing banter, and Ochi’s arrogance, lends some much more humorous moments to what is otherwise a dark, tense plot.
Fans then get to see Vader deal in absolutes! In a rare tactical move for the usually impassioned Sith, he orders Admiral Piett to destroy the Governor’s flagship if she does not return in surrender. It’s a move that’s meant to flush the Governor out and shows the brains that allowed Anakin to be such a successful general. Vader doesn’t typically play the long game anymore – it was Obi Wan always having to remind Anakin of patience after all – so it is quite unusual to see.
Pak leaves Darth Vader #25 on a pretty tense cliffhanger, with Sabé in trouble sash attempts to stop the Governor’s Starkiller-like technology, Ochi planning to do a runner (as per usual), and Vader the only one in a position to save them all. It looks like it’s going to be a sandstorm versus Vader in the nest issue – expect it to be rough, gritty, and found in comic stores everywhere!
Availability;
Darth Vader (2020) is an ongoing series published by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via The Marvel App, ComiXology and from all good comic book stores.
