Published: September 15, 2021
Rating: T
Writer: Greg Pak
Penciler: Raffaele Ienco
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg & Jason Keith
Letter: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Aaron Kuder & Richard Isanove
The synopsis;
TARGET SKYWALKER
All of DARTH VADER’S careful scheming and brutal power moves to claim HAN SOLO’S frozen body have one ultimate end goal: LUKE SKYWALKER, the only person who could challenge Vader’s primacy at the Emperor’s side. Now everything comes to a head as father closes in on son and Luke finally grasps a shocking truth… one that will shape his destiny FOREVER!
The review;
In striking red, black and yellow, Kuder’s direct cover is quite a change in style from other issues, with a much more impressionistic take on Vader along with a splatter textured background. Meanwhile Villanelli’s blueprint variant is an amazing close-up portrait of fan-favourite assassin droid IG-88 and his ship the IG-2000, with the details written in aurebesh. It’s then time for some original Clone Wars action in Sprouse’s 50th anniversary cover showcasing Asajj Ventress looking absolutely awesome leading a battalion of super battle droids.
Darth Vader has finally got Han Solo in his grasp, the Corellian firmly frozen in carbonite. He now has the means to lure Luke Skywalker to him again, his intent to sway the young Rebel to the Dark Side once and for all. It seems like a fool-proof plan, but there are other players in this dangerous game, and they’re all making moves against the Sith Lord. With double-crossing and backstabbing, it’s time for an ace card or Vader will lose his leverage against the Rebellion…
The last several issues of Darth Vader have been much slower paced, each focusing on a different character working with, or against, the Sith Lord. Fans have seen the political machinations of wily administrator Sly Moore, the struggling loyalties of Ochi of Bestoon, and cameos from a host of scoundrel’s part of the Star Wars underworld. All of that has been building up ready for this issue and now Pak has woven them altogether for Darth Vader #16, in which everything blows up, literally and plot-wise.
There is a cinematic quality to this comic, and it opens with a homage to the Empire Strikes Back. Vader stands on his Super Star Destroyer flagship, the Executor, using the Force to connect to Luke, giving him an ultimatum: face him or Han’s frozen form is destroyed. It just feels so Vader, and fans will be hard pushed not to hear James Earl-Jones’ voice as they read each menacing line. It sets the stakes for this story, adding to the tension as the scenes unfold.
With an ultimatum given, there is no way Luke is going to turn his back on his friends. The Jedi-in-training is loyal to a fault. Pak writes Luke with such honesty; he’s lost that naïve farm-boy edge since Episode V, but he is still humble enough to understand he’s not ready to face Vader again yet. So where does that put them? At an impasse. One of the best moments of Luke’s is his belief in Vader, something that fans know will only grow with time, though it’s a gamble that doesn’t diminish Vader’s threat.
Whilst the two Force users engage, cinematic cut-scenes snap to Ochi who’s facing Sly Moore. Sensing that she’s up to something, the assassin decides to confront the Imperial administrator in a totally unexpected show-down. Ochi may have skill, but surprisingly so does Sly. As they come to blows, it’s the typical villain monologuing, as Sly reveals her plot, and the action combines flawlessly with their lines. There’s a reminiscence to it of Kylo Ren and Rey’s fight on Starkiller Base, as the two flip and dodge through the snow.
Their fight scene is one of the standout elements of Ienco’s artwork. It’s dynamic and the two-duel using totally different styles. Combine this with flecks of falling snow, brilliant sound-effect lettering from Caramagna, and it’s literally like watching a film unfold. One other brilliant moment is from the beginning pages, which are cast in red as Vader uses a mental Force connection to deliver his ultimatum, some of the panels cut in half by his lightsaber and glittering with a molten edge. It’s like nothing else that’s come before in this series, and it works so well.
As for the aforementioned backstabbing and double-crossing, well that makes the finale of this issue really explosive. Luke is hounded by Vader in a dogfight. Bokku the Hutt is betraying the Dark Lord. And will Sly Moor best Ochi of Bestoon? Find out how these power plays work out in Darth Vader #17!
Availability;
Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) #16 was published September 15, 2021 by Marvel Comics. This issue is available via The Marvel App and from all good comic book stores and retails at $3.99.
