Published: December 16, 2020
Rating: T
Writer: Greg Pak
Penciler: Raffaele Ienco
Colourist: Neeraj Menon
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Aaron Kuder, Richard Isanove
The synopsis;
INTO THE FIRE! Hungry for vengeance after his brutal punishment at the hands of THE EMPEROR, can DARTH VADER uncover his master’s secrets in the depths of MUSTAFAR? Stripped of his greatest weapons, can the dark lord survive the fire and the EYE? Or will he be overcome as the EYE turns Vader’s every question back to his own terrible secrets?
The review;
Kuder’s direct cover for Darth Vader #8 almost has a pantomime feel to it, as the Eye of Webbish Bogg hides behind Vader, while the Dark Lord appears to be searching for it. It almost makes you want to shout “he’s behind you!”. The colours on Sprouse’s anniversary variant are beautiful, the pastel pinks immediately evoking Bespin clouds, whilst Ienco’s design variant is really unusual, showing a blueprint-like plan for Ochi of Bestoon’s character poses.
After fighting with Ochi of Bestoon, a Sith assassin, Darth Vader is trapped in the caves that run underneath the fiery surface of Mustafar. The only way out is through, and Vader is being pulled towards the Eye of Webbish Bogg. It’s an escape but only if he can answer the Eye’s riddles. Winding through the caves is no easy task though, with Vader having to fight the monstrous creatures that inhabit Mustafar – all the while being taunted with the promise of information from Webbish Bogg.
Well Pak certainly plays with reader’s minds this issue! Darth Vader #8 is like a Star Wars adventure meets a shrink appointment, with the result being a deep psychological look at Vader. At the same time Vader is looking within himself, and he questions things, which then makes fans question things, and the result is a story that’s confusing yet brilliant. The Eye of Webbish Bogg teases and taunts Vader with questions about choices, and whether Vader has chosen or been chosen, and it’s the confusing nature of their interaction that makes the Eye so oracle-like in nature. Rather than give Vader obvious answers, the Eye wants Vader to come to his own conclusions – whether they are the right or wrong ones.
Ienco’s artwork of Webbish Bogg is clearly based off the deleted scene from Episode IX, where it speaks to Kylo Ren, and his artwork really brings the creature alive. The lines creeping over the host to show that the Eye is a parasite, the creepy way he keeps it in shadow until some of the very last panels. There’s also the way that the Eye can somehow cast illusions that’s just mind-blowing. However, Ienco also adds in lava fleas (from Revenge of the Sith), some fireflies that actually spit fire, and even the Star Wars equivalent of a minotaur. Darth Vader #8 might be all about the Dark Lord, but the fauna of Mustafar is a standout throughout.
As for Vader himself, he’s determined this issue. Sith use their anger and hate to draw upon the Dark Side and Pak shows this through Vader’s doggedness to reach Webbish Bogg. He’s been injured and jury-rigged himself back together, yet he still battles monsters and wades through lava. Vader gives himself no quarter, nor anyone else. Whether Pak will continue this enraged Vader into the next issue will be interesting to see.
Last issue there were lots of tie-ins with Episode IX, and there is one important one here that could have repercussions for future issues. However, one surprise cameo is Sly Moore, who has gone from Chancellor Palpatine’s adviser to the Emperor’s aide. She’s as creepy as ever with a fantastic vampiric-style costume designed by Ienco. She could appear again – in the Prequels Sly lived up to her name of just silently appearing and disappearing on screen.
Darth Vader #8 is a focus on Vader, so Ochi only appears briefly. He’s quite arrogant, crowing about supposedly defeating Vader. Another Sith Lord once said something about pride and downfall, and Ochi’s arrogance could cost him in a future issue. The finale of this comic certainly hints at a rematch between Vader and the assassin.
Vader has some information and gift from the Eye of Webbish Bogg that might uncover his master’s plans, but whether this will be enough to appease the Emperor is unclear. But before he can leave Mustafar, Vader has to retrieve his lightsaber from Ochi and somehow find a ship – all of which will happen in Darth Vader #9 in 2021!
Availability;
Darth Vader (2020) #8 was published December 16, 2020 by Marvel Comics. This issue is available via The Marvel App and from all good comic bookstores and retails at $3.99.
