Comic Review: Darth Vader (2020) #50

Master, apprentice, administrator, bounty hunter, Jedi, son, and daughter all feature on the incredible direct cover for this final issue. It’s all come down to this moment and the art represents Vader’s past and future in an amazing composition brimming with detail. Chew’s variant is a stunning ‘What If’ moment that has Leia wearing Imperial armour while Vader stands behind her, Reis’ variant focuses on Vader’s nemeses as Ochi of Bestoon and Sly Moore try to undermine the Dark Lord’s authority. Meanwhile the final anniversary variant for this series by Sprouse has Qui Gon Jinn and Obi Wan dramatically duelling Darth Maul.

After Sabé, former handmaiden to the Queen of Naboo, tests Luke Skywalker to ensure his allegiance to the light side of the Force, the two are faced with Vader and the Imperial Schism. One wants Luke dead. But Vader is determined to crush the Schism and take control for himself. Yet on the Outer Rim world of Caranthanax B, a darkness rises as hate and anger clash in one final showdown… 

In the previous issue a lot of fans, including myself, had issue with Vader saving Luke. It really doesn’t fit with Vader’s characterisation at this point and just feels wrong. It takes away from the climactic moment in Return of the Jedi when he chooses to save his son. Having a similar moment beforehand doesn’t make sense and lessens the impact of that ultimate choice. Unfortunately, Darth Vader (2020) #50 doesn’t redeem itself.

Vader is already struggling with some revelations in The Empire Strikes Back and by Return of the Jedi he’s being pulled to the light. Luke’s arrival into his life changes Vader’s perspective. He knows the Emperor has lied to him for a long time. Yet this issue tries to suggest that Vader is falling even deeper into darkness as the Emperor taunts him with hate and anger. He’s practically defeated once the Emperor is done with him, returning to the shackles of his servitude in the Empire.

While Vader is aware that rebelling against the Emperor has not worked previously, nor is it an easy task, he’s not utterly defeated. Earlier in this series with the handmaidens did a better job at Vader realising that he can’t escape the Emperor by himself – his master pulls too many puppet strings. It’s one of the reasons Vader is so determined to recruit Luke. He’s a person that the Emperor has never controlled and one of the few who could stand up to him.

But all of these messages have been muddied by the length of this series. And this final arc has not felt like it has captured Vader’s realisation that he can’t rebel against the Emperor successfully.

This is certainly not the Vader that we see in Return of the Jedi. Although he may have said that rising up against the Emperor was pointless, part of that could have been to dissuade Luke to keep his son safer, or on the other hand it’s because Vader has lost a lot go hope. Yet this finale leaves Vader absolutely hopeless. And would a truly hopeless person rebel at the final moment?

Another issue is the Imperial Schism. Surprise – it was Palpatine’s plan all along. What was the point of everything Sly Moore has done this series? Was anything she said or did relevant? We know that the Emperor has many ploys and plots happening, but having Sly being sly was actually a really interesting idea. This sense that not all Imperials were happy with how the Empire was being run fits into the narrative of why some helped the Rebel Alliance or simply deserted. To then have all of this be undone in this finale is truly frustrating. Sly is nothing more than a lackey for the Emperor after all.

While Darth Vader (2020) #50 has some very frustrating moments, one part that has kept me hooked from the beginning is Sabé. Her journey has been absolutely brilliant, and it’s added so much to her story. Now that she knows Luke can’t by swayed by the Sith, she escapes Imperial clutches once again to go and find Leia. Their interaction was perfect. She doesn’t reveal why she’s tracked down Leia. Sabé just wants to see Leia and hear her beliefs for the galaxy. And what she finds is a courageous leader who would make Padmé proud. Hopefully we’ll get a bit more of Sabé in future storytelling – along with the other handmaidens – as I feel there’s more that could be explored.

And, of course, the artwork doesn’t disappoint. Darth Vader (2020) #50 is a smorgasbord of amazing artists who have lent their artistic styles to each section within this finale. Ienco takes on the battle scenes in Chapter One, which are incredibly cinematic and only add to the intensity of certain moments. Then Paul Fry illustrates Chapter Two, with his scenes on Coruscant beautifully focusing on characters and emotions rather than the bustle of the Imperial Palace. Luke Ross returns for Chapter Three and his incredible attention to detail for likenesses brings Leia to life in what could almost be movie stills from Return of the Jedi. Finally, Adam Gorham’s gritty artwork is perfect for an epilogue focussing on Tatooine and a certain pair of familiar faces from The Phantom Menace.

Darth Vader (2020) has had some great moments, and it certainly has added to the lore of the handmaidens. Vader’s story has been interesting and heartbreaking, but this final arc has felt unnecessarily long, undoing some of the storytelling that’s previously happened earlier in the series or just clashing with his portrayal in Return of the Jedi. Nevertheless, it has still explored a lot of different facets of the Empire. Greg Pak, Raffaele Ienco, VC’s Joe Caramagna, Leinil Franic Yu, Romulo Fajardo Jr., Federico Blee, Mark Paniccia, and everyone else who has worked so hard on this series deserve all the credit for 4 years of storytelling with a rollercoaster of emotions. While Darth Vader may be taking a break, you can pick up the newest Star Wars Marvel series coming next month – The Battle of Jakku: Insurgency Rising!