Published: July 26, 2023
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Jason Aaron, Steve Orlando, Frank Tieri
Artists: Leonard Kirk, Paul Davidson, Danny Earls
Inker: Mark Morales
Colourist: Romulo Fujardo Jr.
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Taurin Clarke
The synopsis;
TRAPPED ON THE FROZEN PLANET HOTH!
• FRANK TIERI sends VADER to HOTH.
• STEVE ORLANDO goes cerebral with THE CORRUPTION OF DARTH VADER’S MIND!
• PLUS: The Final Chapter of JASON AARON & LEONARD KIRK’s dark tales!
The review;
I am not happy! Issue four – I mean final issue – already! I cannot believe that this series is already drawing to a close. It has showcased some amazing talent in terms of both writing and artwork and I feel like we have only just started to scratch the surface. This has been a great way for readers to experience new writers and artists who they may not be familiar with, as well as see some very interesting takes on the Dark Lord himself. We haven’t talked about this issue, yet I am wanting a return to this series already. If Batman: Black and White can, then I can’t see why Darth Vader can’t! Before I get ahead of myself, let me focus on this finale. We are getting the last part of ‘Hard Shutdown’ by Jason Aaron and illustrated by Leonard Kirk. This ongoing story has been fascinating to read in terms of concept and execution and I’m sure this final part will measure up to the others. Then it’s onto our newcomers. The next story is called ‘The Inhabitant’ and is written by Steve Orlando. Orlando is well known for his Batman work, but I know him for his early work on The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers doing the Bulk and Skull parts! He is joined by artist Paul Davidson, who is well known to Marvel fans for working on a variety of different comics. They are followed by the story ‘Return to Hoth’ which is written by Frank Tieri, who has worked on a vast array of comics, particularly on ones focused on Wolverine (I can hear you all making the shing noise with your hands). He is joined by Danny Earls who use to be a professional footballer! Having seen some of his work, I can’t wait to see what he will bring visually to the stories.
Before I get into the stories themselves, I do just want to mention one of the variant covers. Long, long ago, my five-year-old self would dress up and play Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. As I got older, I then fell in love with the franchise all over again with the rendition from IDW and my son and I adore where this new series has gone. To look at the variant cover list for this issue and see none other than Kevin Eastman’s name was a thrill. In case you don’t know, he co-created the entire franchise! Having seen a lot of his work, the variant cover is a joy to behold in true Eastman style. My inner five-year-old is screaming with joy; cowabunga on the cover Mr. Eastman!
So, onto the stories themselves! The first tale is the finale of Hard Shutdown. There is an awful lot of action here, as there should be, that is shown to us by Kirk. He does a wonderful job of capturing each and every moment. When the lightsaber comes free and returns to Vader’s hand, you can see it flying towards him. Kirk is also able to capture the atmosphere perfectly here. The story has gone from intrigue and victory to slow mystery to out horror. This final part is the acceptance that there is no escape, a dark and inescapable truth. Our main character – aside from Vader – is Cyn. You can see from his face how insane he has gone from trying to do the one thing that one has been able to do. And I love how Aaron pushes this character to push Vader. I mean why try and call Vader out. Aaron takes the story there to show us just how much Cyn has actually underestimated Vader.
One thing that comes back again and again in this story is that Cyn has been able to control Vader’s suit. It’s a really clever idea that is quite unique and I don’t think has been done before in Star Wars. But once this initial wow factor has gone, as the reader, we realise that there is more to Vader (or anyone) than mere technology, that there is something far more profound. In our world today, we hide behind screens and technology, not realising how much more there is. Aaron, in a dark, twisted way, is commenting on our world today. Of course, he shows us this through Vader who quite blatantly shows the power he is controlling: the force. It is a worthy end to this four part story, Aaron and Kirk have worked fantastically well together and produced something that is a joy (or should that be horror?!) to read.
The next tale is The Inhabitant. From the very first page, the artwork from Davidson is stunning. The rain drops falling on Vader seem to come alive and the red is used very sparingly, waiting for the opportunity to go full pelt in panels. It is extremely effective in this story. But what really made my jaw drop were the panels of Vader in his bacta tank; each one looks amazing. Davidson really captures the feeling of captivity in these panels as well as the frustration on Vader’s face.
Along with this beautiful artwork is the writing from Orlando. The story is fascinating and like the one before, showcases a weakness in Vader: he is still (in part) organic. He maybe ‘more machine than man’ but his ‘man’ parts can still be infected by pathogens. I think the idea of this works really well, that even though he is a Dark Lord, he still has to undergo quarantine, he still has to worry about infections from those places he visits. For all his power, he still has to be treated like everyone else. The pathogen, Ghymnon, brings a nightmare to Vader, to ultimately try and kill him. Ghymnon works on the basis of fear, yet this is Vader: Fear is the fuel for the Sith. Without knowing his opponent, Ghymnon is powerless. How the fires of fear are presented, with full panels of red and seeing Vader through it, works tremendously well, particularly as the use of red up to this point in the story has been so minimal. This story really captures Vader so well, in terms of the writing and the artwork, that marry up perfectly.
Return to Hoth is the final tale of the issue and the series. It’s a simple tale of Vader returning to Hoth and being attacked by Wampa’s. This nostalgic visit is a great way to end the series and the idea that the Wampa’s are able to achieve far more than any one actual person against Vader seems to fit so well. The ‘know-it-all’ officer is a little detail that I love. He wants to point out things to Vader that really should be left alone, and he suffers the ultimate price. It reinforces what we already know of Vader and his quick temper. Tieri really has executed this all so well.
The ex-footballer Earls captures Tieri’s vision amazingly. Vader looks superb, masked in shadow and more outline than detail, it gives the mystery that Vader needs. The first full page panel of Vader landing on Hoth is stunning. The wreckage, the bodies, the snow, it will hold your gaze for longer than it should as you seek out all the little details contained within it. The use of red in this story is also really good. It usually comes from the lighting around Vader up until Vader himself actually falls. Like the story before, this minimalist way of using the colour really adds a detail to the work that is on display here.
When you have an issue that is this good, that shows off Vader this well and has such incredible artwork, how can it possibly be the last one? I started this series not knowing what to expect, of wanting to have high expectations but trying to keep them low. Yet issue after issue, the artwork, the writing, the whole atmosphere has shown again and again talent that knows how to best utilise Vader. Not only do you get to read some fantastic stories all about Vader, but it allows readers to learn some new names in the business, to see what else is out there and perhaps find some other series that might interest them. I really do hope that Marvel brings this series back, the quality that it has shown has risen my expectations comic after comic. This is an easy sell to any Star Wars fans. There is no need to ask what they have already read, whether they are current with other comics, this is out and out enjoyment that needs no prior reading. This is an example of how to write and draw incredible Star Wars.
Availability;
Darth Vader: Black, White & Red is a 4-part mini-series published by Marvel. This issue retails at $4.99 and is available via ComiXology and all good comic book stores.
