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A new issue of Darth Vader, new story arc, and one of the coolest scenes you’ll ever see open a Star Wars comic, featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi!
So what’s it about?
Read the preview.
Why does this matter?
This is a pre-A New Hope story which continues to develop Darth Vader from the Emperor’s bodyguard to a leader of people in the Empire. Plus, it opens with Obi-Wan!
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Ugh, the high ground.
Giuseppe Camuncoli, with inks by Daniele Orlandini and colors by David Curiel, draws a good issue — the opening fight sequence is a highlight. We also get a shot of Vader getting his helmet put on in his meditation chamber that’s excellent. Ships continue to look great too.
The last issue seemed to suggest the goodness inside Darth Vader finally died. The opening of this issue seems to confirm it with a killer scene between Obi-Wan and Darth Vader. Avoiding spoilers here, but we get to see Vader take on Obi-Wan on Mustafar. The advantage is Obi-Wan’s of course — he has the high ground, after all — but in this scenario, Vader has much more power and we get to see how it plays out. It’s pretty badass and also a nice reminder that Vader is very evil.
The rest of the issue establishes the Emperor’s desire to clean things up on Mon Cala (the same planet Leia, Han, and the crew are adventuring over in Star Wars #45) and gets the reader tuned into the politics of the Mon Calamari people. Soule is clearly doing some digging, showing us how the people work and there’s a fun cameo that’ll get Star Wars fans excited. We also get a sweet Krennic reference, as well as plenty of scenes for Tarkin to chew up the scenery.
This issue also has a major reveal near the end. For all the work Soule has put Vader through to kill off the last of the Jedi there always seems to be more hiding out. That’s all I’ll say!
Of dressing fabulous!
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It can’t be perfect can it?
The politics of Mon Cala do get a bit boring and you’ll be wishing things moved along a tad faster. It is fun to see Tarkin going through their options with his generals, but these two pages seem to run on. We already know Tarkin and Vader will be at odds, but this is establishing why. That said, do we really need to see a major go over how to use propaganda to beat the Mon Calamari people?
Is It Good?
Tons of Star Wars references and cameos, a huge cliffhanger, and a flashback that brings back Obi-Wan? If it wasn’t mostly setup, I’d call it every Star Wars fans dream come true!
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