Review: ‘Darth Vader’ #45 Leaves the Schism Imperial Questioning Vader’s Motivations
Darth Vader issue #45 slows down the pace for an exploration of the Schism Imperial and its diverse views, particularly on Vader himself. The first half of the issue is fairly exposition-heavy, though I am perhaps influenced by my own biases against this kind of journeying dialogue, and I wasn’t expecting much from the issue because of it. But the second half offers far more intrigue and demonstrates the larger role these events may have to play in Darth Vader’s redemption arc overall. So let’s get into it.
Spoilers ahead.
We begin on the icy planet Tython with a small group from the Schism Imperial, consisting of Tauntaza, Corleque, Pryde, and Fabarian, trekking through the snow. As I mentioned earlier, the journeying exposition is not my favorite method of storytelling. Still, it does provide readers with a broad overview of the Schism’s cynicism toward Darth Vader, with the exception of Pryde, who holds his own as the devil’s advocate. Pryde holds deep respect for Darth Vader and his methods, claiming his adherence to order as the prime motivator for this belief. It is particularly interesting that Pryde is a member of the Schism, given that Pryde, at some stage, reignites his devotion for the Emperor and continues this servitude long after the Empire has fallen.
Corleque simply attributes his misfortunes to Vader, a fair reason for the love lost. However, Tauntaza and Fabarian seem to have a particularly good read of the man behind the mask. Tauntaza claims she does not believe he even knows what he wants and that his strive for order is merely a guise for his true weakness. I particularly like the writing here, as even Tauntaza cannot possibly know how right she is about Anakin Skywalker.
Darth Vader and Sly Moore meet the group outside the Martyrium of Frozen Tears, a location within a Jedi Temple introduced in issue #40 of the 2016 Doctor Aphra series. It is a place with great significance to the Force and the Jedi, containing a pillar of pure kyberite used as a confessional, the object of the Schism’s mission here.
Pryde is sent in to clear the area, as it had been briefly used as a Rebel base, and unknowingly awakens the martyrium, releasing the memories of Jedi who had come to confess their failings. Sly Moore reveals they can only be seen by those who are Force-sensitive, of course, and believes them to be a trap set by the Rebels. She expresses obvious displeasure at the sight of their perceived sins, which she sees as pathetic and minor in nature.
I was surprised, however, to see the echo of Luke Skywalker, bowed down at the confessional, perfectly primed to send Vader’s loyalties once again into turmoil. Vader immediately throws Sly to the ground using the Force, preventing her from witnessing the words of his son. Luke expresses his uncertainty about being called a Jedi and his right to use the confessional, but far more potent are his dwellings on his father’s offer at the end of The Empire Strikes Back.
A major aspect of Luke’s arc is the temptation to join the Dark Side, the conflict between saving those he loves and committing himself to the Jedi Order. However, this conflict is rarely ever shown so explicitly in terms of this offer. Luke implies that a part of him wanted to take Darth Vader’s hand, not just to save him, but to join him, not out of any desire for power but a desire to be with his family. This image is such a beautiful depiction of the conflict, and the love and attachment he has towards the idea of the father he never knew, an attachment Vader could not let go of after discovering the monster he actually was.
And in true, emotionally mature Darth Vader fashion, he orders that the kyberite be mined and the whole temple be destroyed. The Schism is left with the musings of Pryde, whose unwavering faith is juxtaposed with the images of a Darth Vader once again entirely obsessed with the young Luke Skywalker, any semblance of a drive for order and peace nowhere to be found in his endlessly searching mind.
Overall, this issue does drive home the deepening fractures in Vader’s intent, wedged by the echoes of Luke Skywalker that are never far from Vader’s mind. The events at the confessional reflect Luke’s own vision of Vader at the cave on Dagobah, emphasizing the contrast between Luke’s fear of becoming just like his father and Vader’s obsession with making it so. In each situation, both characters immediately raise their weapons to the figments they encountered, both indicating a fear of the love they have for one another, one that neither seems to realize. This mirroring and accompanying artwork is one of the reasons I will say I enjoyed this issue, despite its slow start.
If you haven’t read it yet, check out our review for Darth Vader #44.
Rating: 6/10
Rosalie Lambert is a law student from Australia with a deep love for Star Wars, fantasy, and epic stylistic storytelling. Growing up in the country, Rosalie has always loved nature and outdoor activities, and has a passion for human rights and social justice that she wants to work towards in her field of study.
