Published: March 22, 2023
Rating: T
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Ibraim Roberson
Colourist: Federico Blee
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Rahzzah
The synopsis;
HANDMAIDEN NO MORE?
Few bonds in the galaxy are as strong as the sisterhood of the former handmaidens of Padmé Amidala. But all that was threatened when Sabé entered the service of Darth Vader, the man the handmaidens always believed was responsible for Padmé’s death. Now Dormé, Saché, Rabé and Eirtaé are determined to save Sabé – or stop her, no matter what. But the influence of the Dark Lord is strong and dangerous – and not just to Sabé. What path will the handmaidens choose? And how does all this play into Darth Vader’s true plans?
The review;
Caught in the red glare of Darth Vader’s lightsaber, the royal handmaidens are posed in harsh silhouette, their weapons gone and being transported to an unknown fate. It’s a brilliantly unique cover by Rahzzah that pushes scale in such an imaginative way, making Vader all the more imposing. Larraz’s variant does something similar, looking up at Sith Lord in a corridor that could be straight out of Rogue One. Meanwhile Momoko’s women’s history month celebrates with Sabé and Sprouse’s anniversary variant portrays the dreaded arrival of Emperor Palpatine.
Having discovered that revolutionary Jul Tambor will stop at nothing to destroy Darth Vader in order to rule his home world of Skako Minor, it is up to Sabé to put a stop to his plans. However, her sisters have come to save her from the Empire, believing that Sabé is being used as nothing but a pawn. As the women clash and Vader watches on, the choice that Sabé makes will not only determine her fate, but it will also affect the destiny of each handmaiden.
Darth Vader is no stranger to the brutal sting of rejection. He tried to convince Padmé to join his side in order to build a better galaxy and she refused. Years later he appealed to his son, who also refused to stand by his side. Even after these betrayals, Pak writes a Vader that is still intent on trying to convince others to join him. It hints at the loneliness of the Sith Lord, always standing in Palpatine’s shadow without the trust of anyone else who could help him achieve his goals. At the same time though, Darth Vader (2020) #32 finally suggests what Sabé is really doing as part of the Empire.
Sabé has always been more independent than the rest of the handmaidens, and while she served as Padmé’s double during her time as a senator on Coruscant, they drifted further apart. Throughout the series so far Pak has been writing Sabé as this lone wolf, seemingly switching loyalties on a whim. Yet this issue suggests that the handmaiden has stayed more loyal than any of her sisters realise. As Vader offers Sabé a position by his side, one where she can help bring peace to the galaxy (you know the speech by now), she chooses to condemn her own soul in order to protect her sisters.
All the other handmaidens have moved on. They have made lives, friendships, and families for themselves in the wake of losing Padmé. All except for Sabé. She’s cut herself off from others so much that she’s not afraid of losing herself to the Empire. In her own eyes she is already lost. Rather than risk the other handmaidens falling under Vader’s thumb, slowly being corrupted and losing their kindness, Sabé willingly accepts that fate alone. It’s a selfless act, and quite surprising.
From there Sabé spirals into her role as a Commander of the Empire, manipulating Jul Tambor in a dark twist of her senatorial skills. She destroys him just using words, a skill Vader has never had, so she is a valuable asset. In a poignant moment between the two, Sabé admits how she always compared her actions to what Padmé would likely do, and yet now she has no idea. She’s lost sight of what her queen stood for, really showing how far Sabé has fallen. Meanwhile aboard their ship the handmaidens mourn the loss of their sister, while Ochi has the best existential crisis ever, realising he will always be surrounded by strong women who can outsmart and out-fight him. His plan for getting rid of Sabé has backfired in the most ironic way.
Pak has set up such an interesting dynamic between Sabé and Darth Vader, but how can it last? We know she’s gone by the events in Return of the Jedi, so Sabé cannot remain in the Empire. How this will come to pass will likely be explored further into this series, but for now, things are looking pretty bleak for this once loyal handmaiden.
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.
