Comics Darth Vader #16: The Shu-Torun War, part 1 (of 4)

Interesting that the Vader annual takes place before Vader Down, according to the opening crawl.

 

I got the impression that it took place after Vader Down as well. I've read it only once though, so maybe that's why this wasn't as clear to me.

 

The fact that Vader was on his mission with the droids and no sign of Aphra certainly implied it was after she was captured by the rebels. Time to update my timeline.

 

So childish and petty.

 

That's how you deal with your annoying boss!

Palpatine's expression is pure gold.

 

Yessss, yesss, good to see him act like his previous self... It is high time for Palpy to see what it means to be this guy's teacher/master

 

I love sassy Vader, he is the best.

 

A nice start to the new arc, though the timeline is a bit confusing (before or after Vader down?!). It's nice for Vader to have a bit of break from Aphra as I've always found her character (as awesome as she is) to be a bit unnecessary when paired with Vader. Also

Spoiler

Was that Chanath Chaa from the Lando mini at the back of that group of bounty hunters at the end?

 

Spoiler

Was that droid in the back, Highsinger from TCW !?!?!?!??!

 

That line...

"You wish me to prove myself, master. Give me a fight worthy of my time"

 

So Vader gets the news about Luke being on Vrogas Vas (DV #12), takes a side trip to Shu-torun to set up the events to happen later (DV-A1), proceeds to Vrogas Vas (VD arc), gets taken down and now the Shu-torun events continue (DV #16)? I guess it's not too hard to follow. Not everything has to be linear, but thanks to those above for pointing it out as it took a few minutes to process and it helps to type it out and see it myself.

As for #16, I thought Trios was more of a badass, and while I appreciate her going into battle with Vader and standing up to him, she had her hand near or on her face way too much. It made her look weak.

Also, Aphra needs to be returned dead or alive. Returned to who? Vader's identity is shielded, so who do the bounty hunters think they are working for?

 

Vader's sassiness was positively delicious in this issue although the lack of Aphra was a damn shame.

 

So Vader is self-aware how the last 15 issues have been rather pointless and silly?

 

Unpopular opinion: the Darth Vader series is in its 16th issue, and I still can't give a damn about it. I keep trying, I swear, but it just doesn't work with me.

 

You would think that as soon as Vader learned about Luke on Vrogas Vas he wouldn't waste any time getting there. It's interesting the way they decided to put the Annual issue before Vader Down. It doesn't make perfect sense but I guess it's not a big deal.

 

I don't care what the official timeline of the Marvel series is, the events of the vader annual take place AFTER Vader down to me!

 

But he left the droids with Aphra when he left to Vogras Vas, didn’t he? How were they in the Annual issue?

It couldn’t have happened after Vader Down either, because of the crawl.

I’m thinking more that the Annual story happened somewhere between the first arc and second arc of the DV series.

 

So going by this comics formula the arc after this will be six chapters long (20-25) and 25 is usually a pretty big number in Marvel (often a special double issue or a big story/event) so maybe the next arc will finally conclude the Vader/Cyborg/Tagge storyline

 

I think it was clarified by Jordan White to take place between issues of Arc #2, not between arcs. Vader off doing things while Aphra is off doing things in that arc. A bit of time passes in that arc. I don't see it being a problem. Annual was more like, "Meanwhile, while Aphra was off doing her investigative stuff, Vader was multitasking, and still doing his day job. Here's a look at what that looked like on one occasion."

 

Hmm, what's the galactic geography like? Is Shu-Torin on the way to Vrogas Vas?

 

Spoiler

Is that who I think it is behind BK?

 

Ohhh, now that's a neat link if it turns out to be so.

 

Wow, Vader was at his most evil in this comic. I had to actually do a double take once.

Also, Vader is not a diplomat. He couldn't be more tactless if he tried.