Whether you think there is too much Star Wars or not enough, “Star Wars: Darth Vader” has been a strong comic book. Whether in its original incarnation by Gillen and Larroca, the next volume by Soule and Camuncoli, or the current Greg Pak run, the “Darth Vader” comics have found surprising nuance in an otherwise one-note character. In recent years, the series has even woven together parts of the “Star Wars” mythology in ways that feel sensible and right. With “Don’t Miss This,” we try to spotlight series we think need to be on your pull list. This week we are considering the staying power of Marvel’s “Darth Vader” series!
Who’s this by?
Greg Pak isn’t just an influential writer, he’s achieved legend status. Heard of a little story called ‘Planet Hulk’? They made a famous movie out of that one. He’s also done a lot of good work with “X-Men” characters, especially Magneto. His work on “Hercules” is some of my all-time favorite Marvel stuff. When I tell you that the man is a Rhodes scholar, know that I am being literal. Greg Pak rules.
He’s joined by a rotating team of artists. The series premiered with Raffaele Ienco drawing. More recently, it’s been Ibraim Roberson, and a few notable issues with art from Guiu Vilanova. That rotating bullpen prevents one artist from establishing a dominant style, but that works just fine for “Star Wars” which tends to go more realistic than other comics. As such, “Darth Vader” is a writer forward book. But Pak is a pro collaborator, and each issue is built around a showcase drawing of a Weird Star Wars Thing.
What’s it all about?
I assume I don’t need to introduce Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith, who once was named Anakin Skywalker and now terrorizes the galaxy in the name of order? It’s that Darth Vader. The first volume of “Vader” took place right after Episode IV, when Vader had just figured out his relationship with Luke. Then we looked at the time after Episode III, when Vader was still getting used to being a gimp suit robot wizard. This story takes place after Episode V, when Vader is sort of a mess (when is he not?) but like, a just-cut-off-his-son’s-hand kind of mess. And he’s joined by an unlikely ally.
As with previous volumes, it’s easier to follow Vader from a specific perspective. In this story that role has fallen to Sabé, former handmaiden and body double for Anakin’s wife Padmé. Who is dead. Because he murdered her. Or broke her heart. Same difference.
This allows the book to explore the whirlwind of emotion these two feel. Sabé is a walking reminder of Anakin’s greatest sin and Sabé herself needs to figure out if she’s going to murder Anakin, redeem him, or fall into the darkness herself. It’s a fascinating character to zoom in on, and her inner turmoil keeps the tension high.
So why should I read this?
I don’t know what you like about Star Wars. Some people are all in for Grogu, and I get that. But I think this series makes a strong argument for the power of licensed media. It’s not like Disney couldn’t greenlight a Sabé movie right now. You know they want to. It wouldn’t be hard. Sabé was played by Keira Knightley in the original movie and she is no stranger to a Disney payday. I don’t know what that huge movie would would feel like, with the desperate sweaty apparatus of Disney marketing riding on its shoulders. Probably not great.
“Darth Vader” isn’t a massive movie though. This is a rinky-dink comic book, and it’s here to tell a story. That story gives depth to a character who barely said ten words on screen. Is that a story that “needs” to be told? That’s the wrong question! It’s the story Greg Pak and co found, a character in a moment of crisis, abandoned by the sweeping saga of toy sales. If every bit of “Star Wars” media was as thoughtful and sensitive as “Darth Vader,” you’d be begging for more, guarantee.
How can I read this?
“Darth Vader” is published by Marvel, and is available wherever you buy those. Print book stores, digital library borrow, or monthly subscription, this shouldn’t be a hard comic to find!
