Published: November 30, 2022
Rating: T
Writer: Greg Pak
Penciler: Luke Ross
Colourist: Federico Blee
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Rahzzah
The synopsis;
TECHNO (RE)UNION!
• Three decades ago, Anakin Skywalker slaughtered Wat Tambor, leader of the Techno Union, along with the rest of the Separatist leaders by the command of the Emperor.
• So who is the pirate JUL TAMBOR, what is he planning on Skako Minor, and what will the Handmaiden, who now stands at Vader’s side, do when it’s her job to choose if Jul lives or dies?
• Also, which Handmaiden is this? And will this new adventure fulfill Sabé’s dream of derailing Vader’s journey to the dark side — or simply complete it?
The review;
Hiding behind the corner of a corridor with a blaster drawn, Sabé is staying out of sight from her fellow handmaidens who prowl closer in ominous red lighting. This direct cover by Rahzzah is absolutely genius, as it portrays not only how Sabé is hiding from the others, but also how she is hiding from herself as the servant of Darth Vader. Standing aboard the Death Star and almost melting into the galaxy background, the Dark Lord looks amazing on Larroca’s variant. Finally, the Revelations variant by Clarke is a movie-style poster featuring all of the main characters from this arc.
Sabé was once a handmaiden loyal to Naboo yet now she serves the Empire. After passing the Emperor’s test she is sent out by Lord Vader to assassinate Jul Tambor, great-grandson of the Techno Union leader that Anakin Skywalker defeated. While Sabé is gone though, Ochi has returned with another handmaiden. What does Dormé want with the Empire? And why would she risk coming aboard the Executor?
What is quite noticeable about this issue is that it mainly focusses on the supporting cast. Vader has very little to add to this plot other than a few threats. It is a testament to how well written Pak has made Ochi and Sabé, although some fans might wish that there was more of the eponymous Sith. It’s similar to Soule’s run of Darth Vader (2017) comics where Doctor Aphra became so popular that she went on to warrant her own comic series.
On the planet of Brentaal IV, the remnants of the Techno Union are in hiding. Driven off their homeworld of Skako Minor by the Empire, they want to avoid any further conflict. All except for Jul Tambor. He’s on a mission to rise up and take back what he thinks he’s owed. Even the great-grandson of Wat Tambor can’t escape the shadow of Darth Vader though, and he sends Sabé to assassinate the would-be revolutionary. It’s really interesting to see this generational effect that Vader’s actions have and how much of his past as Anakin comes back to haunt him again and again.
Sabé is still having to deal with the repercussions of becoming one of Vader’s commanders. She’s still going through a lot of emotional conflict. Rather than just trying to quickly assassinate Jul and then run away, she pleads with him to stop his rebellion instead. This is the type of diplomacy fans would expect to see from Padmé, and hints that Sabé hasn’t lost all of her goodness quite yet.
Unfortunately, her fellow handmaidens don’t quite agree. In order to save his own skin (again), Ochi agreed to sneak Dormé onto the Executor. She’s shocked to discover just how far Sabé has gone, remarking on her dark armour and personal stormtrooper guards. It suggests that Sabé hasn’t told her sisters what she is planning, if she is planning anything at all, and where her allegiance truly lies. Sabé has become such a fascinatingly morally grey character that it’s impossible to predict how Pak will write her.
It is also testament to Luke Ross’s drawing skills that he manages to make Dormé similar enough to Sabé to fool Vader, but different enough that readers can tell the difference! There’s a brilliant close-up panel of the two handmaidens and it is worth carefully admiring the very subtle differences. He brilliantly brings the Techno Union to life, managing a lot of expression even with all the technology the aliens have to wear. Darth Vader #29 really feels like a geeky homage to Revenge of the Sith.
Darth Vader #29 is challenging how everyone views Sabé, even herself. Is she playing along with Vader’s demands so she can secretly betray the Empire? Or has her game of sabotage turned into something real? And will the handmaidens try to save Sabé, or save her from herself? Pak’s leading the handmaidens into their own civil war and Darth Vader #30 can’t come soon enough!
Availability;
Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) is an ongoing series published by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via The Marvel App, ComiXology and from all good comic book stores.
