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Within the pantheon of nice villains, Darth Vader is correct close to the highest of the listing. Whereas he’s generally called a film villain due to “Star Wars” getting its begin on the silver display, it is most likely honest to say that few baddies in any medium have ever towered fairly as excessive as Vader. It is also price declaring that Vader has, over time, confirmed he could be simply as menacing — if no more so — on the web page, versus on the display. Working example, arguably the character’s most brutal second got here within the pages of a comic book e-book and never on a film display.
For a lot of “Star Wars” followers, Vader’s most brutal on-screen second got here on the finish of “Rogue One” in 2016. Director Gareth Edwards, on the final minute, added a now notorious scene that sees the Sith lord ripping by means of a bunch of unlucky Rebels as they attempt to cease him from retrieving the Demise Star plans. It is an actual crowd-pleasing second and among the finest demonstrations of Vader’s brute energy. That mentioned, there’s one other second from the character’s historical past that rivals this one when it comes to sheer brutality, as exhausting as that could be to consider.
The second in query got here within the pages of “Star Wars: Vader Down.” Printed by Marvel Comics starting in November 2015, the crossover sequence tied collectively the then-ongoing “Star Wars” and “Darth Vader” sequence, with thrilling outcomes. Very principally, the story facilities on Darth Vader who’s searching down Luke Skywalker after the occasions of “A New Hope” however earlier than “The Empire Strikes Again.” This leads him to face off in opposition to the insurgent fleet on his personal earlier than crashing onto a close-by planet referred to as Vrogas Vas.
The Rebel sees this as a possibility to take out considered one of their greatest enemies, and so they danger all of it to do exactly that. Or they attempt to anyway. It doesn’t go properly for them.
Vader Down is a superb Star Wars story, whatever the medium
Vader’s ship is finally introduced down over Vrogas Vas by Luke Skywalker, who acknowledges the chance earlier than them. Thoughts you, this was earlier than Luke knew that Vader was really his father, who was really Anakin Skywalker. The Insurgent command then proceeds to throw each useful resource at their disposal to seize Vader. On the very finish of “Vader Down” #1, the Sith lord and power for evil within the galaxy exhibits the Rebel why this effort is futile.
Vader’s ship is finally introduced down over Vrogas Vas by Luke Skywalker, who acknowledges the chance earlier than them. Thoughts you, this was earlier than Luke knew that Vader was really his father, who was really Anakin Skywalker. The Insurgent command then proceeds to throw each useful resource at their disposal to seize Vader. On the very finish of “Vader Down” #1, the Sith lord and power for evil within the galaxy exhibits the Rebel why this effort is futile.
As we will see, Vader is completely surrounded by dozens of Insurgent troops. With out an oz of fear, after being warned that he’s surrounded, Vader quips again with “All I’m surrounded by is worry. And useless males.” If I’ll? Sure. Completely hell sure.
The primary problem of the crossover was written by Jason Aaron, who was writing Marvel’s flagship “Star Wars” comedian on the time after they took over the license from Darkish Horse. He collaborated intently with Kieron Gillen, who was writing “Darth Vader.” In a 2023 interview with StarWars.com, Aaron mirrored on this specific second from the e-book, naming it as considered one of his favourite issues he is written for Marvel.
“That second from ‘Vader Down’ remains to be considered one of my favourite issues I’ve written throughout my time at Marvel. I liked attending to let Darth Vader reduce free with all his energy in such an epic approach. I could not go up the prospect to revel at midnight facet once more and put Vader in an much more perilous state of affairs … after which see how he carves his approach out.”
Darth Vader (2015) is well worth the time for Star Wars followers
“Vader Down” #1 ends on that cliffhanger and, to not spoil it for anybody who hasn’t learn the e-book, it doesn’t go properly for the Rebels. The remainder of the miniseries is simply as satisfying and it is really a wonderful “Star Wars” story, whatever the medium. Even for many who could also be followers of the franchise who do not sometimes learn comics, that is price one’s time, in my humble opinion.
Do not get me unsuitable, that Darth Vader second in “Rogue One” is without doubt one of the finest “Star Wars” film moments ever. There isn’t any query about that. However this second, and what unfolds in the remainder of “Vader Down,” is equally brutal, if not moreso. It actually is not a lesser second simply because it is in a comic book e-book versus in a film. To that finish, it is a reminder that a lot nice “Star Wars” over time has unfolded exterior of the flicks.
Oftentimes, a number of the traditional “Star Wars” books, corresponding to James Luceno’s “Plagueis,” get lots of the credit score. The identical could be mentioned of the “Inheritor to the Empire” trilogy, which birthed Grand Admiral Thrawn. However the comics have gifted us with some really nice storytelling over time as properly. I’d really feel very snug recommending Gillen’s 2015 run on “Darth Vader” to only about any fan. It provides lots of depth to the character and is, itself, very entertaining.
It is also the place we get to fulfill Physician Aphra for the primary time, who has since change into an important character. All of it results in this epic crossover occasion, one which performs out like an motion film in house, with Vader type of serving as John Wick determine, for lack of a greater comparability, taking down a military by his lonesome. It’s, in a phrase, badass.
You may seize the collected version of “Star Wars: Vader Down” from Amazon.