Published: June 21, 2017
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Charles Soule
Penciler: Giuseppe Camuncoli
Cover Artist: Jim Cheung
Join Vader as he learns a new way — the way of Darth Sidious and his newly formed Empire…the way of the dark side.
The story
Mid-Rim Jedi Outpost. Designation: Brighthome
Deep in space a floating Jedi temple in space adorned with Jedi statues is circled by ARC-170 fighters.
A clone trooper called ‘Ding’ is holding a green lightsaber in front of him proclaims to be a Jedi. His colleagues say he can’t be as he’s still alive. They are creating an inventory of all the Jedi items left behind for the Emperor himself and it’s a serious job and not to be taken lightly. The last of the clones are being created on Kamino and then the facility will shut down for good. They are among the last of their kind and their fighting days are over. They are alerted to an approaching ship, maybe their fighting days aren’t over just yet!
Vader’s Sith Infiltrator approaches the Jedi Outpost, he is hailed to identify himself or the ARC-170’s will fire. Vader, despite his droid offering to broadcast the landing codes, he decides to maintain radio silence and as he approaches he opens fire. One by one Vader destroys each of the fighters briskly and continues to the land in the outpost hangar.
The clones in the outpost look on at the monitors with disbelief at what has happened, could a Jedi have survived? They scramble to protect the outpost from the invader and advance to the hangar. As they approach the blast door begins to distort. They ready themselves and the door explodes open to reveal Darth Vader. Immediately weapons are discharged, but Vader eases past the initial shots. One wings his shoulder, but with the force on his side, he picks up the troopers and throws them around like rag dolls. Vader sees some lightsabers stowed in a recess, one flies through the air into his hand and he ignites the brilliant green blade. He advances onwards, slaying the troopers as he goes forwards until he is the only living being. He deactivates the lightsaber and drops it to the floor. He walks toward the door of the outpost archive room.
The archive is interrogated by his droid that has remained on his ship, it reveals that there are no Jedi left for him to pursue to take a lightsaber from, but there is a list of lost Jedi. A Jedi that has left the Jedi Order and has taken the Barash prior the purge may be a worthy target. That would be a sufficient opponent to take a lightsaber from to create his new Sith blade. Vader is warned of an incoming explosive device and he holds it with the force in mid-air. 2 clone troopers stand before him, calling to him as a freak Jedi. The mistake is theirs, Vader is no longer a Jedi and they have underestimated him. With a wave of his free hand the troopers necks snap and they drop motionless to the floor. Still holding the explosive charge in the air, it is starting to explode, but Vader is suppressing the explosion. His droid has located a former Jedi by the name of Kirak Infil’a. As Vader leaves and marches toward the hanger he releases his force grip on the grenade and an explosion rips through the core of the outpost. Kirak left the Jedi Order and he was was not known for diplomacy or research, but only with a reputation for one thing, he only wanted to fight.
A humanoid levitates in a meditative pose as a Jedi holocron amongst other things float around him. His hair is white and tied into 2 buns at the back, his face bearded, skin pale blue, with a criss-cross of scars on his bare torso.
The review
Another solid cover for issue 2. Plenty of detail and a classic Vader pose looking ominous from the shelves of the comic book store. A textless variant and an impressive clone trooper and Vader face off cover are the also available.
The art work throughout, sometimes feels elongated and stretched. Some Vader pictures, he looks to slim, not weedy, but no bulky how we know Vader to be. Same goes for the clones in certain frames. All in all though, the action sequences are drawn well and feel like they actually move.
The space scenes are very well put together. The ARC-170 fighter is a personal favourite of mine and I’m glad they get a cameo, although they don’t last particularly long in this issue. The fact that the clones are talking about Kamino being closed and the last clones being created also adds to the ending of the clone wars as we know it.
The fact that Vader discards the easily found lightsaber and proceeds without it. Yes, he job to come may be easier with this, but this is not his true target, he is heel bent on completing his task for his master.
The initial artwork for Kirak Infil’a truly shows a warrior. I see similarities to Rahm Kota from The Force Unleashed series, but I think he is going to a formidable opponent for Vader.
Overall an issue that sets up the next phase of the story well. It links a few moments and in some ways answers a few questions you may have from the Clone Wars and Episode III. It’s a comic that has proved popular as a second printing has now been commissioned.
Vader’s target is selected and he is in pursuit of his prey, what can stop him acquiring his prize?
Availability
This original issue was released on 21st July 2017 and is available via the Marvel App and all good comic book stores. The second printing is due for release in August 2017. This is a standard size issue with the price set at $3.99.