Published: June 29, 2022
Rating: T
Writer: Greg Pak
Penciler: Marco Castiello
Colourist: Carlos Lopez
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Paul Renaud
The synopsis;
• Someone’s been to Polis Massa. Someone’s heard Padmé’s last words. Someone knows Vader’s deepest secret. What happens when the Dark Lord of the Sith finds out?
• Meanwhile, a colony of refugees from a certain sandy planet struggle under the rule of an Imperial governor. Will their connection to Vader’s past be their salvation — or their doom?
• Plus: the shocking return of two of Anakin Skywalker’s oldest friends!
The review;
Facing off against each other in a ring which is actually the Imperial insignia, Renaud’s front cover ingeniously shows how Sabé and Ochi of Bestoon are at odd, the two fighting for the favour of Darth Vader. However, the Sith Lord overlooks it all like a puppet master, with the Dark Side always in control. Meanwhile the Choose Your Destiny variants are showcasing different Force users every month, with Vader naturally taking centre on this one, accompanied by a detailed look at his lightsaber. Finally, Zama’s Pride variant celebrates Sabé and shows her journey from handmaiden to ally of the Dark Lord.
Sabé, former handmaiden to the Queen of Naboo, knows the secret behind Darth Vader’s identity. That he was Anakin Skywalker. For now, the two work together in a tenuous truce, freeing slaves from the Outer Rim planet of Gabredor III. While uncovering the treacherous Imperial governor who controls the planet, Vader suspects the handmaiden of trying to change his heart back to the light. Something the Sith Lord cannot let happen.
During Queen’s Peril by E. K. Johnston, Sabé grew apart from Padmé over her marriage to Anakin. They parted on amicable terms, yet it was something Sabé did not agree with. She believed Anakin to be unpredictable and that hiding it would only cause Padmé pain. The handmaiden had a bit of a point. Yet in Darth Vader #24 she’s not as hostile towards Vader as expected. Maybe seeing her worst fears for the couple come to pass made her realise that leaving Naboo behind was a mistake. And it almost seems that Sabé is trying to make amends. Pak suggests a lot in their dialogue, and it could be interpreted in many ways.
He also really plays into Sabé’s time as a former handmaiden, as she easily takes lead in her new position of Imperial Commander. Not that Sabé seems happy to be decked out in black armour. While the fashion choice isn’t to her taste, she does all that she can to free the people of Gabredor III, fighting alongside Vader in some terrific action sequences superbly drawn by Ienco. On screen the handmaidens may have been pretty quiet and demure, but in the comics and books they have plenty of battle knowledge. It does put Sabé at odds with Ochi, the two competing for Vader’s favour, and their banter just keeps getting better.
During the battle the Imperial squad discover that the corrupt Governor wasn’t only enslaving the people, she was directing them to build a weapon. One that could drain the power from an entire planet. This is a brilliant Easter egg to the technology that will eventually be used on Starkiller Base, showing the progression from the Original Trilogy to the Sequels. Yet it also ignites the most fascinating part from Darth Vader #24. Vader’s introspection.
Upon seeing technology so reminiscent to the Death Star, the Sith Lord begins to question some of his actions, and some of Sabé’s intentions. Ienco’s artwork takes centre stage as Vader’s memories play out in blood red panels interspersed with his thoughts. It takes the second half of the comic into the world of Vader’s mind, almost as joltingly as something from Marvel’s Moon Knight. Vader sees Sabé and then hears Padmé, he sees his prior actions and tries to push back at the sound of the voices. It is haunting and chilling at the same time.
Whether Sabé’s intentions are to truly try to pull Vader towards the light remain unclear. However, her planting these seeds, along with Vader’s mounting distrust of the Emperor, does make it clearer how he would eventually turn. The Sith Lord never fully fell, and yet could never fully return to the light until Episode VI. Pak’s introspective piece is genius writing and unusually it is where the comic leaves off, Vader still struggling in his mind. Where he’ll be in Darth Vader #25 is anyone’s guess.
Availability;
Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) is an ongoing series from Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via The Marvel App, ComiXology and from all good comic book stores.
