Comics Vader Down (One-Shot) (Vader Down, part 1 of 6)

It's a win-win with Aphra. Either she lives and we continue to get a great character well into the future, or she dies and we know that LFL is willing to allow popular characters to be killed off if the story demands it.

 

Just remember: What one writer at Marvel can do, another can un-do!

 

Full covers for issue #1 of Vader Down, and issue #2 of Vader Down/issue #13 of Darth Vader (out in November)

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

I wouldn't start up the Aphra death watch clock until we know if/when Gillen is leaving the book. But Marvel is also very good at resurrections, like, 6 months later.

 

That is so retro. I love it.

 

Aphra will die.

I have foreseen it.

And, perhaps more significantly, Gillen has foreshadowed it:

"When you need to do it, do it. And lightsaber, please."

 

Or that might be a red herring to throw us off track. At this point in time, it's impossible to tell how she'll end up.

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I hope in the SW issues of Vader down it isn't just the core three walking around going "where's vader?"

 

They drive around in a van-like speeder.
"Darth Vader where are you?"

 

Or simply character development to show us her relationship with Vader and her acceptance of the mission knowing she has no choice.

 

Those covers are excellent.

I like the Vader Down typeface design too, should act as a good bit of signposting for those not reading both books.

 

Indeed or it could be many things at the same time. It's hard to tell what Gillen truly intended for the scene to be.

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I've never read anything from Gillen that I know of but I usually don't pay attention to writers/artists. From what I'm reading he could go in any direction at any moment but who knows how much restraint the LSG has put on him.

 

Those covers are fantastic. I'm really looking forward to Vader Down. I'm looking forward to Shattered Empire more but the concept sounds pretty cool and I think both Aaron and Gillen have done a good job so far.

 

Finding Vader

On her journey Aphra & the droids will run into vegetarian Anzati, Bespin beldons, and a hoard of greedy Jawas that want to take the droids apart. Vader eventually gets stuck in a tank in Dr. Evazan's office. Hijinks ensue.

 

So you figure the odds on another Luke / Vader confrontation in Vader Down? I was able to be totally okay with what happened in SW #1/#2 because it was barely a confrontation, Vader promptly spanked Luke and had no idea who he was. Now that Vader knows who Luke is it gets .... dicey. Especially if they cross sabers long enough.

 

Exactly. My biggest concern with new material of characters we already know so well (even excluding Legends EU) is that any stories before RotJ will alter the reasoning behind characters decisions later on and affect the thought process of the characters during moments of the OT.

 

"Find the son of Skywalker."
"Yes, Master."

Cue Bespin...

"Ah, young Skywalker - what the hell? You again!?"

No. Just no.

 

Vader and Luke confrontations are fine as long as the spirit of Obi-Wan keeps interfering to save the kid's bacon.

Vader: Luke, I am -
Obi-Wan: TOTALLY WIZARD! (run Luke, run) WOOOooOOooo!

 

I wouldn't be bothered by another Luke/Vader encounter. If other people were around, I can totally see Vader not wanting to say anything about their relationship or his plans to use him.

I really want an encounter set between ESB and ROTJ. (Not a fight, but more of something where Luke sees the potential for good in him)

 

When exactly does Luke realize there's potential for good in Vader? Was there a precise moment in the movies where this happened or just at the end?

 

The movies don't explain, but I'd like to have something happen during the time between ESB and ROTJ where he starts thinking that.

Vader and Luke encounters in the new EU don't bother me if handled nicely, but I'd much rather see between ESB and ROTJ than between ANH and ESB.

The time between ESB and ROTJ can allow for character development on Luke and Vader. They are different in ROTJ than in ESB. They are more mellow. Perhaps they had some encounter that changed them.

 

I think the Bespin duel could qualify for the trigger:

Luke: Vader could have killed him but didn't.

Vader: Luke was far better than he ever expected.

 

The first thing could actually work, Vader isn't going to go all "I am your father!" if Han & Aphra are right there. But, once again, due to Luke's powerset at the time post ANH and pre Yoda training in ESB, it would still go the way of "Star Wars" issue #2. Vader smackdown in seconds. There are ways to tapdance around it but I think the way it was handled in the first two issues of the "Star Wars" book are pretty much the best, most complete way to fit in with the other movies.

As for a post ESB / pre ROTJ encounter, that is actually a good point. Luke, frankly rather abruptly, in ROTJ is telling Yoda and Ben and Leia that "There is still good in him, I can feel it." when, quite frankly, in ESB Vader chopped his hand off and tried to basically take him over. Not seeing much good in there, so a post ESB encounter where Luke starts to see the good side, somehow, I think would totally fit. Let's just say it'd fit better more than another pre ESB confrontation/duel.

 

I'm not sure there is really any 'proof' for Luke's hunch. Yes, he's proven correct but it took him being tortured with Sith Lightning for a good few minutes for that 'good' to rise up and do something. If Sid had decided to kill him quick with the Lighting x10000 setting....

I think Luke's aware it's a massive gamble too. Sure Vader fired on him in the Death Star trench and hit R2, so Mr Kill Everything missed? Similarly, he lost a hand but Vader couldn't have TK'd Luke off that platform to him at Bespin? This all says something is going on but is it what Luke think it is?