Lit Comics Darth Vader by Greg Pak, February 2020

I'm glad we'll see Padme. I haven't watched the PT since 2015 (in preparation for TFA) but am watching TCW now and definitely think she needs as much attention as possible in Canon.

 

Disney is kicking their continuity crusade up a notch.

 

Especially as when he next sees Luke he's matured as a character to be very much like her. He's telling Leia and his father her last words without even know it.
Luke Skywalker: I've accepted the truth that you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father.
Darth Vader: That name no longer has any meaning for me!
Luke Skywalker: It is the name of your true self. You've only forgotten. I know there is good in you. The Emperor hasn't driven it from you fully.

Padme (Dying) There is still good in him, I know

 

Yep. Even though Vader tried to tell himself Anakin was dead, and his past meant nothing, it was always with him in some way. How couldn’t it be? You just don’t forget traumatic events. Straight after ROTS he was thinking of her. After ANH, and now after TESB. He simply buried himself in work as a distraction, as it was his only course of action anyway as the Empire’s chief enforcer.

 

yah it's actually possible for Vader to be slightly less murder-y in this vol like he was in Vol 1 and Vol 2. I mean, it's Vader, he'll be murder-y. But if he actually doesn't go for it once or twice, I wouldn't be surprised.

 

https://www.marvel.com/articles/comics/greg-pak-previews-star-wars-darth-vader-1

Spoiler

Ahead of the mag's release, Marvel.com got Pak's thoughts on writing this iconic villain in a fascinating new era.

“The immediate aftermath of The Empire Strikes Back is sort of the coolest place to tell a Vader story," notes Pak, "because at the end of Empire, we all remember Luke’s perspective: he gets his hand lopped off, he finds out that his father is Vader, Vader says, 'Come with me, we will rule the galaxy together.' And Luke is horrified by all of this. He lets himself fall down into the depths of Cloud City. He rejects his father and, he’s wrecked. And that’s whose perspective [the film] mostly follows.

"But this is the chance to follow Vader—because Vader is equally wrecked by that encounter," he explains. "When you go back and unpack that scene, you know that Vader serves the Emperor, but in this moment—when he sees his son, meets this son for the first time—he senses the Force in this kid. The Force is strong in this one. And Vader actually offers to join up with him, overthrow the Emperor, and rule the galaxy with his son. He thinks this is that moment where everything is going to change for him...and then his son rejects it. That’s huge!

"This scene parallels Anakin and Padmé on that platform on Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith. Spoiler alert! But you know, it’s the same moment; Anakin is flush with all this new power, and Padmé is horrified. She’s just found out he’s done all these horrible things—and, basically, it’s the same thing he tells Luke later: 'We will rule together. This is my galaxy now. It’s ours.' And similarly, she rejects him. This is the same cycle. [In Empire,] it re-traumatizes him.

"So it’s this incredibly emotional moment. And of course, being Vader, he's going to hunt down everyone who hid the existence of his son from him and destroy them. But every step of the way, he's going to get deeper into his own past. So it’s this big, thrilling, horrifying adventure story that's also laced with all of this emotion. Raffaele Ienco is drawing this and he’s incredible, and Neeraj Menon is coloring—and it’s got all that great grit that you love from the original trilogy—and Joe Caramagna is lettering it. It’s just an incredible pleasure to work on."

 

Spoiler

Having read issue one, I like the use of lighting and shading, to show 'emotion' on Vader's helmet

 

oooh would have Vader known about Exegol? Well considering there's a wayfinder on Mustafar, maybe probably.

 

I subscribe to the idea that Vader goes to Exegol and the events of Star Wars Tales #9 happens. The Sith Eternal Ressurects Darth Maul and Vader has to prove that he's a worthy Sith Lord.

 

Spoiler

It's Sabé right? Has to be. Though the fact that Pak did knew things about episode IX could lead to interesting things down the road. Are we going to Exogol? The wayfinders? Please don't kill Sabé.

 

What an incredible first issue! Vader so openly allowing himself to indulge in the past with a droid he knows is expendable is truly a special thing to witness.

 

It will take something big to remove that story from my headcanon.

 

Re issue #1:

Spoiler

The comics seem to be the perfect place to get inside the mind of Vader as he keeps conversations minimal which is how I picture Vader. He only talks when he absolutely needs to and since we can't see the expression on his face, then the flash backs show us what he is thinking.

It's good to see and revisit locations and events from Vader's POV, but most of this issue was 90% old stuff and only 10% new. This is fine as it's the first issue and the story needs to be set up to pay off later and I will give this comic that props that it's starting with a strong foundation.

No issues with the art. The random orange panel with nothing in it felt weird, but I guess it was a needed break where Vader's mind just goes blank for a second.

 

I like how they’ve integrated the Death Troopers throughout the saga now. Being very private, elite bodyguards makes it believable they were around, just not always seen.

 

elements of tros u say . Vader's Wayfinder, Exegol and maybe Vader meeting sheev Jr ?

 

I’d be surprised to see Vader meet Sheev Jr, but you never know.

 

Meet? Why stop there? I hope he's his babysitter.

Like, as much as I did not enjoy TROS, I am genuinely quite excited by the nonsense it came up with because it's FUN nonsense and going to make the nEU way more entertaining.

 

The closest Legends came to "Vader the Babysitter" was in the X-Wing comics - with Prince Harran.

 

I love images of Vader being nice with children, it's hilarious.



Jeffrey Brown should write/draw the Vader and Sheev Jr. comic!

 

Star Wars should be fun, but not at the expense of the plot nor should it contradict the character.

 

not thinking by episode 5 Vader wouldn't be nicer to children because of finding out Luke was still alive

 

I just finished discussing this exact comment with my son.

 

Yeah, it's been a while since I read volume 1 but if I remember correctly (and this makes sense) when he finds out Luke is his son from Boba Fett there's a contemplative feel. In volume 2 which I recently binged was FULL of emotion through all throughout. The last arc alone is full of Padme callbacks.

 

I hated the return of Palpatine and the "magic" Force concepts from TROS, so hearing that this series, and more comics, may follow after it isn't good news to me.

And concerning this issue...

Spoiler: spoiler

If that is Padmé, I'm going to be pissed.

That said, I kinda doubt it is her. There's too many more likely possibilities that actually make sense (Sabé, a clone, a twin sister, etc.). And looking at the last panel again, I noticed no moles on her face, and in the flashbacks of Padmé there were moles. It's a small detail, and maybe comes from my own wishful thinking, but maybe it's a clue that it's not her.