Published: April 13, 2022
Rating: T
Writer: Greg Pak
Penciler: Raffaele Ienco
Colourist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Paul Renaud
The synopsis;
CRIMSON HAVOC!
With all secrets smashed and all traitors revealed, DARTH VADER unleashes his endgame! But is his target CRIMSON DAWN — or the EMPIRE itself? And where does that leave the heroes and assassins who have fought at his side? Plus, a shocking reveal that cuts to the very core of the DARK LORD’S dark heart!
The review;
To bring order to the galaxy there must first be chaos, and that’s exactly what Renaud’s cover does. Vader calmly walks through the flames of destruction, cape flying dramatically and escorted by a squad of TIE Fighters. You can practically hear the Imperial March playing by just looking at it. Ienco’s variant is a dramatic moment from the comic when Vader tricks Crimson Dawn, with the red and dark yellow contrasting beautifully against Vader’s dark armour. The final variant is also by Ienco and is a brilliant character study for Sith assassin, Ochi of Bestoon, featuring him both masked and unmasked.
Darth Vader continues his hunt for the Crimson Dawn insurgents, intending to use Sabé and Ochi of Bestoon to infiltrate the syndicate. By tricking the Dawn into thinking them as allies, Vader hopes to draw their forces out so they can be crushed by the Empire. However, his brutal tactics incur fatalities on both sides, with many Imperial officers restless about Vader’s methods. Meanwhile Sabé, former handmaiden to Padmé Amidala, is hiding secrets about the Sith Lord.
Darth Vader #22 is full of so many twists and double-crosses that it will practically leave readers breathless. This comic does not let up on the action for one moment, yet ironically a calm quote from Qui Gon Jinn seems to underpin the story. In Episode I the Jedi Knight calmly said, “There’s always a bigger fish” and Pak writes Vader using almost the same logic. His intention is to draw out the littler fish, Crimson Dawn, by using himself, the much bigger fish, as the bait. He then pits the Dawn against the fist of the Empire and carnage ensues. The Prequel motifs throughout this comic are so well done.
Plus, they don’t end there, as Vader once again goes back to Naboo. The carcass of the Sando Aqua Monster is still there from the very first arc of this series and Vader uses it to demonstrate his logic in a morally questionable way. Sabé and Ochi are his rather unwilling students who learn that while Naboo is an absolutely beautiful planet it is full of creatures that have claws and loads of teeth. Darth Vader’s conversation with Sabé also mimics Anakin’s debate with Padmé about how the senate should be ‘made to agree’, a belief he still holds as a Sith Lord.
Sabé just continues to be such an interesting character because she refuses to be afraid of Vader. She will not cower to his threats, nor be intimidated by him, and their dynamic is so fascinating to read. Vader wants everyone in the galaxy to capitulate to him and the Empire, something he knows Sabé will never do, yet he won’t harm the former handmaiden. The reasoning behind this Pak only hints at, and he’s playing these two characters off each other so well.
Ochi of Bestoon meanwhile, is playing absolutely everybody. At this point it’s impossible to tell how many doubles-crosses and triple-crosses he’s done, and how Pak keeps the story straight is nothing short of genius. The assassin is completely out for himself, yet his sarcasm and sheer audacity make him such a fun character. Somehow, he strikes a balance between being very morally grey yet quite likeable.
With such a fast-paced story, Ienco’s artwork is perfection, delivering on every panel. When Crimson Dawn take on the Imperial troops everything is carnage, and Ienco captures that in the shrapnel covered landscape, the blaster bolts going in every direction, and the different fighting styles for each group. Sinclair’s colours also come to the forefront, as Crimson Dawn is this bright red while stormtroopers are bold white, and the two fighting against each other are so incredibly striking. One of the best panels is during this clash, as Vader perches above it all, cape flying, and his posture is just one of complete seclusion. He is physically and metaphysically above the battle occurring below.
Darth Vader #22 is bringing the fight to Crimson Dawn, but the syndicate won’t go down quietly. Dirty tactics are only just the beginning. This issue also ends on a massive twist that many fans have probably been expecting for a while. What will Vader do with Sabé’s secrets? What does Sabé plan to do with what she knows? And will the two form a truce?
Availability;
Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) #22 was published April 13, 2022 by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via The Marvel App, ComiXology and from all good comic book stores.
