Darth Vader is a popular character, from the time he first appeared on film. In this case, by Darth Vader comics, I am referring to those where he is the star, where the whole arc is set on him. He is obviously felt if not seen in every comic of the original trilogy era, including Empire, Rebellion and Dark Times. But he has starring roles in others, and those are where I mean to focus.
Purge
Still furious at what Obi-Wan did to him in battle, Vader has made it known that he will do anything to find him. He is determined to track down all the Jedi, but especially Obi-Wan – and this in spite of the Emperor insisting they are of no consequence, and he has other duties. Jedi set a trap for him on Kessel. This is a Darth Vader comic that shows how his legend grows. He is outnumbered by several Jedi Masters – yet he does need help. Palpatine knows how to spin this to make it look like he did it all single-handed, to instill fear of him in the galaxy.
This Darth Vader comic really surprised and interested me because it shows his legend wasn’t entirely earned, at least not at the time. Sure, he took down unprepared Jedi in the temple with an army of clones. But taking down a bunch of Jedi who are prepared for him is a different challenge altogether.
Purge Seconds to Die
Shae Koon, neice of Plo Kloon, seeks to destroy Vader. This story is told from her point of view. Her idea is simple: lure out the Dark Lord, by pretending to Palpatine she would serve him. But a glimpse of the far future and the real fate of Anakin Skywalker changes things.
This story is pretty short. But it is also unique due to Shae’s abilities.
Purge the Hidden Blade
Not all Darth Vader comics make him look good. Darth Sidious would have him guard a weapons plant when he wants to be chasing Jedi. When two Jedi show up he proves that the rebelliousness of Anakin Skywalker still lives – and in this case, his master is less than pleased with the results.
This is another that shows another old Anakin trait, and it intrigued me because clearly the kindly old Senator who Anakin befriended is no longer so accommodating. Now he’s a taskmaster far harsher than Obi-Wan would dream of being.
Purge Tyrants Fist
Vader has to not only take down a Jedi, but destroy his very reputation. To remove every positive trace of Jedi history from the planet, with the aid of the Empire. It wasn’t all just lightsabers and blasters. It included removing statues, renaming things, offering opportunities only the Jedi had offered. Until finally the one, hiding Jedi has lost all support from the natives.
This Darth Vader comic one shot is a perfect explanation for how the Jedi went from being famous beings of legendary skill, to being nearly forgotten and written off as myths within a generation. I found it an important detail that villains don’t always kill people: they erase their heroes, overwrite their history until its forgotten as well, in order to prop up their own regime and belief system.
Darth Vader and the Lost Command
This is when the physical and spiritual wounds are still fresh. He requires painful medical care and his grief over losing Padmé is still fierce. Anakin Skywalker lies not so far beneath the surface at this point. He dreams what might’ve been had he not fallen, had he taken down Palpatine and was still with his wife and child, publicly, yet still a Jedi. But a mission to find a lost star destroyer will have someone take advantage of those dreams and show just how unstable he currently is.
There are those that want to kill him, and those even in the fleet who have no desire to serve an Empire.
This is my favorite of the Darth Vader comics. It came as individual arc, but my version is a hard cover graphic novel, and I say it deserves it. I really appreciate seeing this transitional period, where he hasn’t managed to bury Anakin entirely. It goes well with Dark Lord: Rise of Darth Vader and they are close in the timeline. The art is beautiful too, always a nice bonus to a good story.
Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin
This one fooled me the first time. In a Darth Vader comic one naturally expects him to be the bad guy. In this case though, his actions didn’t seem unreasonable on second glance. The Empire is forcing a renegotiation of a business and a member decides to let his son stop it by force. With Vader present, its obvious how this ends up. Then the man wants revenge. To top it off someone seems to be out to kill the Emperor, and how could he get so close?
The quest for the assassin as well as who is after the Emperor leads him to a world with multiple downed Imperial starships. Unbeknownst to him, it will involve a test of loyalty as well as skill.
This particular Darth Vader comic adds just a bit to Death Star lore. It also reveals how sneaky Palpatine is. Vader finds he’s the subject of yet another prophecy involving a cult (I can see why he might be sick of prophecies).
Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison
Who knew the Jedi were running a secret prison, with war criminals not even brought to trial? Apparently Anakin Skywalker wanted to know where his prisoners went, but only as Darth Vader will he find out. He needs a place to take the Emperor to heal, after a coup attempt by the leader of the academies and his soldiers nearly killed him.
But this Darth Vader comic isn’t told from Vader’s point of view, but one cadet who is absolutely loyal to him and the new Emperor. Unfortunately, Vader knows the truth about loyalty of the Empire and Sith. It is only worth something until the one loyal becomes a rival, intentionally or no.
I like how this gives us yet another glimpse into Anakin, as well as tantalizes with adventures of he and Obi-Wan, by just mentioning how some of these prisoners were caught. I’d have loved reading those adventures! But these Darth Vader comics are all we are to have, alas. It’s sad to see him already turning to murder as soon as he sees a rival. But it reminds me a bit of how he treats Mara Jade: she didn’t see herself as a threat to him, but she didn’t know that she was treated much as he had treated Anakin Skywalker! No doubt Palpatine had to make it clear he was not to snuff out his personal favorites.
Here is a trailer that was released for this particular Darth Vader comic:
Overall Darth Vader Comics Reviews
All in all, Dark Horse did a fabulous job it’s Darth Vader comics of transitioning Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader, then moving into his ruthless side. This works well to reflect how the part of him that was Anakin Skywalker became buried, yet was still there for Luke Skywalker to access in the end.
These Darth Vader comics were also included in some Empire omnibuses. Darth Vader and the Lost Command, Darth Vader and the Ghost Prisonand Darth Vader Tyrant’s Test had hardcover graphic novel releases. The Purge comics were combined into one graphic novel. Purge comics also were released in comic 2 packs with action figures such as Bultar Swan and Kaffi Annan.
Obviously in addition to these, he shows up in the other series.
Dark Times comics has him, briefly, especially early on, in mid-transition, showing a reaction to the changes the Empire make that are anathema to all Anakin Skywalker stood for. It interweaves in the timeline with these Darth Vader comics. Shadows of the Empire we see that glimpse where the part of him that is Darth Vader still has a yearning toward his son.
Obviously other comics that feature him heavily are Empire series, Rebellion, classic Marvel Comics and the classic newspaper strips. There are also a few in Tales comics: particularly one where he discovers the Jedi known as the Dark Woman, Anya Kuro. That particular story is considered canon to the EU. There is another where he battles a clone of Darth Maul. That is probably infinities, though what he reveals about his hatred in it is interesting.
Darth Vader Comics Continuity and Lore
Star Wars before it was named Republic introduced Plo Koon’s niece, Shae Koon.
Other stories of the era include
- Dark Lord: Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno
- Coruscant Nights series by Michael Reaves
- The Last of the Jedi series by Jude Watson.
Original Trilogy ties with these Darth Vader comics:
- Empire
- Rebellion
- Classic newspaper strips
- Classic Marvel comics
- Webcomics (Hyperspace web comics)
- Shadows of the Empire
