Comics Darth Vader (Marvel) #4: Vader, part 4 (of 6)

That issue was dark and violent and I loved every second of it.

 

Who are the emperor's replacements for Vader?

 

I like Aphra and Vader's dynamic so much, she is like a female Appo with extra snark, but still totally obedient to him.

Also her telling him he needs to win and when he has to kill her should do it immediately, it seems like genuine loyalty and I dig it.

 

Only bad thing about the issue

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That rodian eyed guy didn't last very long

 

That sure looked like

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a Naboo-style ship Vader used on Geonosis.

 

That was definitely a

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J-type 327 Nubian. Interiors match as well.

 

A private army of kidnapped force-sensitive children Sidious has been experimenting on and training Maul-style for a couple decades now?

 

Triple Zero is scary!!! Damn, I get cold shivers when I mentally picture him speaking in his high-pitched C3PO voice.

It's like ... you think you meet one of the most harmless things in the galaxy and then it turns out to be pure terror.

 

Well, Gillen is a huge fan of System Shock 2, so I guess he has a thing for evil robots.

 

Considering the other TCW references in this issue (Geonosian Queen, commando droids) it wouldn't surprise me if this was the case.

 

I'm just waiting for the unleashing of the Cloned Zillo Beasts to show up in the comics. Filoni has said that kind of story is way beyond his budget right now.

In all seriousness, though, this series is unrelentingly brutal. Which is exactly as it should be.

This is a great team, Jordan D. White! You're making a great Star Wars book.

 

I hope we'll see some of these characters on the silver screen!

 

Is aphra coming along for the next issue? I only ask because I want her to be used sparingly, right now for me she's walking the fine line between "just talkative" and "annoyingly talkative"

 

Well that was a great issue, definitely loving the HK-47 like feel of the droids although there were some scenes I was like 'should I really be laughing at this?', look forward to issue 5.

 

I'm wondering if

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it is the ship Padme used in TPM - a symptom of Vader's secret sentimental side?

 

Anyone else expect the mystery of rodian eye to last a little longer than 4 issues?

 

I liked this issue much better than the last, but nonetheless, I do have some complaints.
I like the scene in which Aphra stated her preferred means of death. Sounds callous, I know, but I appreciate that moment because it shows that Aphra knows who she is dealing with, displaying fearful respect. I didn't want their relationship to be all buddy-buddy. It is also in accordance with what we've seen of Vader before to refrain from killing her due to her usefulness (Boba Fett making demands in TESB).

Now, on to my complaints.
The Geonosian Queen's droids, specifically them being emerging from eggs. It doesn't make sense. I don't get it. I don't mind the idea of the Queen seeing the droids as her children, having a sort of motherly instinct that has to be fulfilled by any means necessary. I don't mind the idea of the droid design being modified to appear more Geonosian. But the droid emerging from eggs? Doesn't make a whole lot of sense, it could use some clarification.

Also, I'm not a fan of Vader jumping down onto the Geonosian queen's platform. This may seem like an odd complaint, but allow me to explain my reasoning.
I've always seen Vader's cybernetic limbs as not particularly agile, explaining his slower movement and lack of agility in the OT. He compensates for this lack of agility by using his raw strength and height to make himself a defensive rock. This, in conjunction with his skill with the force, allows Vader to overcome his physical limitations.
Having Vader fall from a considerable height sort of undermines what makes Vader cool in my eyes. I don't like how the prequels and TCW basically make all force-users superpowered ninjas, and I don't want to see that happen to Vader. The EU made this mistake, having Vader do freaking flips, and jumping out of moving starships high above a planet's surface and landing on his feet. It doesn't fit Vader, and as previously stated, undermines what makes Vader cool. He doesn't need to perform feats of incredible agility. Now, Vader's jump in this issue isn't near as bad as the old EU examples I gave, but it is a step in the wrong direction in my opinion. If the height from which he jumped was decreased that would've been fine, but I don't want to consistently see Vader jumping 50 feet or something similar.

 

I sure did. But now, I think that was the point, in 000-speak, "Oh, you think you are against one creepy man of mystery...haha, no, he's just one of a bunch of creepy specially engineered mystery men out to displace you and slice you to pieces. Hahahaha!"

And by the way, it nicely squashed the speculation spread by some that this character was Max Von Sydow in TFA.

 

Excellent, excellent issue. Opening the double-page spread of the Geonosian Queen gave me the same feel as the reveal of the Queen's nest in Alien: Resurrection.

Vader's terseness is on point. I enjoyed all the dialogue in this issue, and I think those who were irritated by Aphra's chattiness in Issue #3 will find her more agreeable.

One can tell Triple-Zero must have been as fun for Gillen to write as for the audience to read. I was never much one for droid characters, but this new murderous duo is super entertaining.

I must agree with Mmmmm Napalm above -- I do prefer a hulking Vader with slow, deliberate movements, but at least it's only one blip so far, and I don't think I need to worry about him being written as a total hyper-ninja-Goku like in Ye Olde EU, bleh

 

How long until the JCC Mary Sue Brigade catches up to Aphra?

Also,

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I hope Vader's replacements are full Sith apprentices Palpatine's been training, complete with Darth names, similar to Plagueis/Venamis. I'd think Palpatine WANTED Vader to unravel this plot as sort of a test; either he'd kill the potential replacements and prove his worth, or he wouldn't, then he'd be replaced anyway.

 

Star Wars : Darth Vader : Vader Part IV
Rating : 8,5/10
+I loved the action in this issue
+I loved the TCW connection with the return of Karina the Great
+Geonosis was sterilized ? **** that's pretty dark
+Triple Zero is a very fun character, because he also has a dark sense of humor, just like me
+Vader's replacements.. interesting... most interesting
+Is that Padme's ship ?
+Is it just me or did they hint at some kind of droid rebellion with Triple Zero ?
-I still hate you discount Indy

Favorite quote of the issue
''Haha you're on fire, and you're also dead'' - 0-0-0 = Triple Zero

 

The best ish of this title yet! Loved the Geonosian cyborgs, Aphra being a Vader "fan", BT related humor and finally finding out what this is all about! The AotC reference was awesome too! Art continues to improve, panel layouts also, color is good, writing is solid and engaging. Looks like Marvel is taking this seriously.

 

I'm assuming Boba Fett is gonna show up in the main Star Wars comic at Ben's hut?

 

C'mon, it's obviously an army of Starkiller clones.

Just as sure as some BT parts end up in Chopper.

 

I think Boba Fett doesn't show up until Star Wars #6.