Review – Vader Shows Defiance and Chooses His New Home in Marvel’s Darth Vader #20
FORTRESS VADER,” PART TWO! A thief faces the consequences for their crime. EMPEROR PALPATINE rewards DARTH VADER with three gifts…A thing, a choice and a voice.
Written by Charles Soule
Cover and layouts by Giuseppe Camuncoli
Finishes by Daniele Orlandini
Colores by Dono Sánchez-Almara and Erick Arciniega
SPOILERS AHEAD
When the previous issue ended, Vader was looming above two of the inquisitors who were taking it easy after successfully finishing the mission – obtaining the Force sensitive child. It seemed they were Vader’s new target, which this issue confirms. He shocks the inquisitors by trying to attack the red-skinned female inquisitor who was leading the previous mission. The black Twi’lek defends her by stopping Vader’s lightsaber and telling her to run. The issue is that Vader sensed the connection between the two which he considers a weakness – a weakness he intends to eradicate.
The two inquisitors run away together and it immediately becomes clear that Vader was right in that they have feelings for each other. Their only option is to try to kill Vader and then hide which will free them.
The two nameless inquisitors fight well together, employing smart tactics. Their battle with Vader creates chaos amidst the Coruscant traffic. The pair even manage to strike Vader once, but ultimately they are no match for Dark Lord of the Sith who manages to immobilize them and force them to kill one another. In spite of their horrible deeds in the previous issue, their final moments were quite touching.
Back in the palace, the Emperor berates Vader for the mass destruction he caused in the capital, including killing a senator vital to his plans. While he accepts Vader’s reasons, he intends to move the inquisitors off-world and prevent any further destruction. In spite of this, Palpantine is satisfied with Vader’s hunt for the Jedi, so he presents him with a present. But, Palpatine’s presents always have purpose to serve himself best – in this instance it is Padmé Amidala’s ship.
At the same time, he has a new mission for his apprentice. He needs to go to Alderaan and bring Bail Organa to heel. Vader initially refuses, shocking Palpatine. Vader says that he will complete any task Palpatine requires, but first he wants a world for himself. Palpatine offers him Naboo because of his obvious personal connections to it, or Tatooine for possible revenge, but Vader chooses neither, requesting Mustafar instead.
This issue was interesting for several reasons. First, we see Vader hunting down his own inquisitors because of attachment, which is a Jedi thing. He still considers it a weakness, which he shouldn’t. “There is only Passion“ is part Code of the Sith and selfish “attachment” should not be a problem. That, at least, was the reason he gave to the inquisitors. To the Emperor he said the female inquisitor would have betrayed them and let mother and child go, but couldn’t because she was caught. It’s hard to gauge a Sith, but it certainly seems Vader has not completely cut ties with his past.
On the other hand, the issue also shows Vader’s attempts at independence, not only killing his inquisitors which he considers to be his and his alone, but also defying Palpatine and requesting something for himself. I have to wonder if Vader failed to recognize these remaining weaknesses, deciding to challenge himself by choosing the place of his greatest defeat. Anyway, Palpatine should be satisfied seeing Vader going farther and farther down the Sith path.
This issue was gorgeous. Between the action, the Coruscant chase, and expressive close ups, Camuncoli’s art was on point. The coloring was also interesting with red details contrasting the overall cold blue/gray panels.
Overall, this issue is a perfect springboard for at least two interesting stories, Vader’s exploration of Mustafar and the Force, and Vader potentially meeting the adoptive father of his daughter in his new incarnation. But for now, we wait – until then:
this issue gets 7.5/10 STARS
NEXT TIME:
“FORTRESS VADER”, PART THREE!
• DARTH VADER returns to the place of his birth as he seeks the path to his destiny.
• Echoes from the past reach out to him — both from his own, and from the dark history of the SITH.
Staff member, comic and book reviewer. Cheers for the Light Side, but would drink with Grand Admirals.
