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“Darth Vader: Black, White & Red” #1

By | April 27th, 2023
Posted in Reviews | % Comments

Some characters become so iconic that they become interesting ciphers to explore more significant themes. From Superman’s otherworldly nature translated through American values to Spider-Man’s down-on-his-luck everyman status, these characters work because they allow creators to tell unique stories. This is why an anthology series like ‘Superman: Red & Blue,’ works. It gives many creators a few pages to tell the story of what the first superhero means to them. It’s interesting to see a similar status given to one of the modern media’s most iconic villains, Darth Vader. What does Vader represent? Is he a tragic figure fighting for personal redemption? Is he somewhere between man and machine, a ghost of a man trapped in a dark shell? Is he simply the boogeyman of something far greater than himself? While the recent “Vader” series have explored elements of his past, his transformation, and his internal struggles, an anthology series allows exploring what Vader MEANS to the world. In “Darth Vader: Black, White & Red” #1, three talented creators set the tone of what Vader means to the universe; is he a man, a symbol, or something in between?

Cover by Alex Maleev
Written by Jason Aaron, Peach Momoko, & Torunn Grønbekk
Illustrated by Leonard Kirk, Peach Momoko, & Klaus Janson
Colored by Romulo Fajardo Jr., Peach Momoko, & Klaus Janson
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna

THE DARK LORD OF THE SITH LIKE YOU’VE NEVER SEEN HIM BEFORE! Following the successful black, white and red series produced by Marvel Comics, DARTH VADER now takes the spotlight for tales of terror by some of the industries most talented creators! PEACH MOMOKO will spin a story only she can bring to life! PLUS, the return of JASON AARON to the world of STAR WARS with Part One of his Vader tale spanning all four issues!

There’s something about the stripped-down anthology series that appeals to me. It allows creators to leave their mark without committing to a bigger story. Instead, it shows what the character means to them at a core level. Vader has been portrayed in many ways. He’s been a one-man army, able to take out whole battalions without breaking a sweat, a conflicted villain, uncovering elements of his tragic past, both a pawn in a larger game and a Chessmaster in his own right. In many ways, Darth Vader is a paladin of death, and because we know his ultimate fate, every story allows you to explore a facet of his character. This is one of the main reasons why “Darth Vader: Black, White & Red” #1 works so well. In essence, the first and third stories of the issue are practically identical, Vader dealing with a threat on his life, but what makes the issue so unique is that they feel opposite in their intended goals. Each vignette allows Vader to occupy a different mode and element of what makes the character iconic. In one, he’s a symbol of fear; in another, a force to be reckoned with; and finally, a man with limitations.

Starting with ‘Dissolution of Hope,’ the third story in “Darth Vader: Black, White & Red” #1 shows Vader as Chessmaster. Torunn Grønbekk does an excellent job balancing the ominous narration of the Sith Lord with the cautiously hopeful tone of an ill-fated rebel mission. While the story has shades of Rogue One (because we all know a rebel mission with Vader around isn’t going to take down the empire or remove the Emperor’s chief enforcer,) Grønbekk does an effective job of keeping you on your toes. There are plenty of moments when the mission is successful. This rebel crew takes out many higher-ups on Torku. They fight their way into the weapon they are trying to destroy. They even get their master scientist into the base. The problem is that they are dealing with a well-trained strategist who isn’t afraid of losing their pieces to win the match ultimately. Klaus Janson’s art effectively uses red coloring to highlight destruction, whether that’s the destruction of a culture or a building. But when Vader’s saber gets involved, the red acts as the ultimate shorthand for carnage. The last panel, especially red energy flowing from Vader’s clenched fist, shows the impact of a limited palate. You don’t see Lilan’s death, but you feel it.

Continued below

The first story of “Darth Vader: Black, White & Red” #1, ‘Hard Shutdown: Part 1,’ follows a similar basic setup to Grønbekk’s story but ultimately has a different conclusion. While Grønbekk paints Vader as a cold, calculating strategist, Jason Aaron leans into Vader’s vulnerable side. Vader has confronted yet another would-be assassin, a man looking for vengeance for his father. While Vader doesn’t recall this, he’s ready to defend himself and the slight against the empire. However, the would-be assassin has a larger plan, playing on the Sith Lord’s sentimentality and using his dead wife to plant a device that turns off Vader’s armor, immobilizing him. While the story is high on action, the red is used a little more frequently, which ultimately lessens its impact on the story. Whole panels are saturated in red light, suggesting chaos, but it sometimes lacks clarity in indicating action or just for visual effect. Of the three, this is the weakest but will be continued in later installments. In any case, though, Aaron’s voice for Vader continues to be strong and helps explore his conflicted side, showing that he can be beaten if you know the right buttons to push.

Bridging the gap, then, is ‘Inescapable’ written and illustrated by Peach Momoko. While this chapter of “Darth Vader: Black, White & Red” #1 lacks dialogue, it leaves the biggest impact. This story paints Vader as a literal specter of death, a boogeyman haunting the universe, a demon that haunts your dreams. In the story, an unnamed woman is haunted by Vader, a presence she can’t escape. From grains of sand to the night sky, to even her eye, Vader is there. It’s unclear if she is reliving the trauma of having faced Vader and gotten away or if that is just the thoughts of someone who exists in the universe with a mysterious figure who serves the empire. In any case, Momoko’s visuals are equally stunning and haunting, with some well-executed body horror and some genuinely unsettling visuals. Her use of red also has a higher impact, considering it highlights the early panels before dominating the later ones. It successfully shows what Vader might be to a person living in the world, a vengeful spirit in constant pursuit.

If there is any real criticism of this premier issue of “Darth Vader: Black, White & Red” #1, it would be to flip the first and last story. There’s something more impactful about starting with Vader as the great Chessmaster, moving to Vader as a vision of doom, and ending with Vader as a flawed character with limits. Of course, it makes sense that you put your biggest name, Aaron, first, but thematically it works better flipping those stories. However, this is only a slight criticism of a comic anthology’s otherwise excellent premier issue. It will be exciting to see who else takes a crack at this iconic villain, but the premier issue creates some big shoes to fill.

Final Verdict: 9.5 “Darth Vader: Black, White & Red” #1 is an excellent kickoff to an anthology series of one of the media’s most iconic villains, exploring what makes this character stand out.


Joe Skonce

Joe Skonce was born, raised, and currently resides in Ohio, but has been exploring fantastical and imaginary worlds for as long as he can remember. He loves big guys and barbarians, pirates and puppets, and is always down to find nerdy new things. Come say hi to him on twitter @tunabellgrande.

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