Series: Darth Vader
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Colorist: Edgar Delgado
Summary from Comixology: “Ever since Darth Vader made his first on-screen appearance, he became one of the most popular villains to ever haunt an audience’s dreams! Now, follow Vader straight from the ending of “Star Wars: A New Hope”, (and the pages of the new Star Wars comic book), into his own series, showing the Empire’s war with the Rebel Alliance from the other side! Writer Kieron Gillen and artist Salvador Larocca bring us a peek behind the mask of evil!”
Overview:
This has been the Star Wars book that I have been most looking forward too. I enjoyed Star Wars a lot, but personally I have always been more attracted to The Dark Side. In Star Wars: Knights of The Old Republic I always ended up becoming a sith and in any other Star Wars game, I always fell to the dark side (That may even explain why I have a Darth Vader tattoo). I mean, lets be honest, the villains are always so much cooler, and this book just continues to prove that. I’m a big fan of Keiron Gillen, he’s actually writing two of my favorite ongoing series, Angela: Asgard’s Assassin and The Wicked + The Divine and I think this book is now in my top 5 reading spots.
Highs:
This is a great story about what Vader gets into after the destruction of the first Death Star. His appearance at Jaba the Hutts palace is one of my favorite scenes in recent comics. I absolutely loved seeing Darth Vader release his rage on Jaba for confusing him as a Jedi, and the issue captures the vibe of the palace almost like Return of The Jedi did, which I think in of itself is a major accomplishment. It was also very interesting seeing/reading Darth Vader’s interactions with his master Darth Sidious. Sidious is upset with Vader at the moment for letting the rebels escape a hidden base attack on a moon of Yavin, so the tension between master and apprentice is highly noted. The art is also a great addition to this book with being able to capture the feel of the original trilogy, but yet still give it a new feel.
Lows:
I personally did not care for the $4.99 price, but with it being a #1 of such a major character I can see why Marvel would charge this. But, I hope to see the book to the same as Star Wars and drop to $3.99 for the next issue, which comes out February 25th. Besides the price my only serious other concern was Darth Vader’s speech bubbles. I really wish for this character they used some other from of bubble besides the standard white speech tone. I think if they used a more rugged bubble like in Swamp Thing books or the Iron Man series it would convey a different tone for the character. I found myself going back in forth between standard Vader voice and my normal mental voice when reading his dialogue.
*This section will contain possible spoilers*
I found it a little bothersome that Boba Fett is working alongside a Wookie in this series. He is one of my favorite characters in Star Wars, so it bothered me seeing this team up. I know that nothing from previous stories are cannon any longer, but my version of Boba is not fond of Wookies and hunts them for game. He even wears the fur of a wookie on his suit as a prize. So seeing him in the issue working along side one, makes me think they are going to try to give Boba Fett a strong Han Solo vibe in the new continuity.
The Final Say:
If you love Star Wars and Darth Vader, then you really need to read this issue and jump on this series. Darth Vader is as dark and looming as he is in the original films and Gillen does a great job capturing the feel of Vader. The art work is also absolutely beautiful. So much detail in each panel, it’s almost like you are watching this on film. From all the wrinkles and slime in Jaba the Hutt to the void that is space. Salvador Larroca and Edgar Delgado are a prefect artistic team for this book. Head to your local comic store and be sure to pick this book up. Overall this book is a solid 4 out of 5 and you need to get your hands on this. I just hope we won’t have to read Star Wars, Darth Vader, and Princess Leia in order to obtain the entire story…