Comic Review: Dark Droids #3 (of 5)

Dark Droids, it would be easy to focus on just these issues that bring the whole crossover event together. If you do, you have a perfect series that creates a tense darkness that can be felt through every word, every panel, every character that we meet. However, to do so would completely negate the incredible work that this series has had over the entirety of the Star Wars comic world. The entire event has been exemplary. It is an event where that fear and dread has oozed out of every story within those comics, never too sure where the story might head. It also fits so beautifully with the stories that are already present in those series, rather than trying to alter them to fit the event. To say impressive would be an understatement and as much I thoroughly enjoyed the Crimson Dawn Trilogy events, there is something even better about this one. The pieces seem to align even more, the atmosphere over everything so much more felt. The expectations have equally risen. Charles Soule and Luke Ross have set this very high bar for themselves, but somehow, they meet it (and usually exceed it) every single week. What will this third issue bring? Who knows, but I know it will be worth the read, no matter the direction.

The start of each of these comics is just so gorgeous, either in its horror or its beauty. In this issue we see more of an evolution to the Scourge. They are finding beauty in the memories of other droids. I’ll come to the visuals in a moment, for the Scourge that comes through each of these issues is wonderful. It is both terrifying and intriguing and you can’t help but want to hear just a little more. Somehow, Soule is able to capture the tone of this entity just right, you can hear that mechanical voice as clear as you were hearing a character in a film. With all the darkness, it is such a contrast to start with such a pleasant start, to see a wonder that has captured the eye of this villain. Soule only lets it last a moment before he rips it away and we’re back with the main story! It’s these small character moments that have always been a part of Star Wars, that Soule has always managed to place into his pieces of work as part of his ‘Star Wars’ formula. He hasn’t forgotten about it here.

Before I go any further, let’s talk about Ross’ work. The man has exceeded himself in this issue – and that’s saying something. The opening panels with the diamond rain capture this beautiful moment with a sense of vividness that is just glorious to stare at. Ross could have easily hung his hat up after this. Yet as you go through the issue, it’s the sheer vastness in scope to what he has achieved in one issue: the diamond rain; the hot, sweaty planet of Mustafar; the clinical insides of Vader’s fortress; the bridge of a star destroyer. Don’t even get me started on when we see Vader in his chamber, the phrase ‘blown away’ comes to mind. There is such diversity here and Ross captures every single one, transports you perfectly to that place. This is some of his finest work to date.

Although the story for this issue is relatively simple, what Soule is able to show is how the Scourge thinks. He is able to essentially show us how the mind of a droid works, torturing to complete several problems at once, trying to understand where to put most of its CPU (I presume it must have some) to achieve its highest priority. This movement between problems isn’t jarring, it does what it’s supposed to, show a mind that has so many things on the go, so many objectives it’s trying to achieve. Soule goes further than he has so far in order for us to try and understand the Scourge. Not to help us empathise with it, but to understand just how utterly evil it is. In this way, the fear and dread of this threat increases rather than the opposite. The Scourge takes on a physical form, terrifying in seeing it in this way, yet Soule continually reminds us that it is also present in other droids, its voice can be heard from anyone of them. We also learn of its frustrations, that although it could inhabit Miril and Doctor Aphra, somehow it has lost that ability to do it again (presumably because it isn’t using the force). All these snippets of information lift the curtain a little more as to who this thing is.

This movement between different events goes mainly between two, Ajax and Vader. I’m rather happy that Ajax was quickly defeated, it was the one part of the incredible story I thought might not work so well. To have him defeated so quickly works well and shows that Soule is still throwing a few red herrings into the mix. The Vader parts however, amazing! To see the Dark Troopers…then the dark troopers attacking the royal guard…then dragging Vader out. Well, it is a visual feast for a Star Wars fan, let alone the way Vader responds. It makes me very excited for the Darth Vader series. But then we see three other people. Two we could have guessed, but one! That was rather a surprise (someone was saving that one – Alyssa Wong I’m looking at you!). All of these showing us that the stage has been set for the next releases of these series. It’s the aim of this series to do that and it does it well, but it also holds its own so, so well.

Well let’s not beat around the bush, this is one of the best series we have ever had. The writing, the artwork, the atmosphere is just perfection that has been hones by two incredible people who really know their craft. This is the best crossover event I think that we have ever had in Star Wars comics and although I want to try and pick it apart and find fault, there is nothing to pick at. This is a well thought-out, well executed story that fans should be reading, that fans should be exciting to read the next part for. It’s a masterclass on how to create a crossover event and I’m so happy I’m here for the ride! Now, when does Darth Vader come out next!? Doctor Aphra?! Bounty Hunters?!