Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 8: Dark Droids

Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020)

by Greg Pak

The Curse of the Jedi looms — as Vader is swept up in the DARK DROIDS event!

Killer droids have taken over Darth Vader’s flagship Super Star Destroyer, the Executor! Will the lessons of Jedi Masters Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan save the man who was once Anakin Skywalker from the Scourge — or make him a tool for its galactic conquest?

COLLECTING: Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) 37-41

Genres: Star Wars, Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction

112 pages, Paperback

Published April 9, 2024

About the author

Greg Pak is an award-winning Korean American comic book writer and filmmaker currently writing "Lawful" for BOOM and "Sam Wilson: Captain America" (with Evan Narcisse) for Marvel. Pak wrote the "Princess Who Saved Herself" children's book and the “Code Monkey Save World” graphic novel based on the songs of Jonathan Coulton and co-wrote (with Fred Van Lente) the acclaimed “Make Comics Like the Pros” how-to book. Pak's other work includes "Planet Hulk," "Darth Vader," "Mech Cadet Yu," "Ronin Island," "Action Comics," and "Magneto Testament."

Reviews

[Bernardo Martinho · Rating 4 out of 5]

This volume serves as an extension of the Dark Droids event, with impressive action sequences and presenting some interesting dilemmas, related to the concept of man/machine. The dynamic between Darth Sidious and Darth Vader seems to be approaching a breaking point, something I've been enjoying, but it's taking too long in my opinion.

The main theme that I really liked, as it revealed character evolution, is that Vader no longer lets his hatred control him; instead, he controls that hatred, which is interesting because Sidious then takes advantage of that. This ends up creating a continual spiral of chaos, which is ironic, given that both characters claim to seek order. Some interesting ideas were thrown around here.

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining enough but the whole Droid Hive-Mind Virus business throughout these comics has been a bit silly.


Believe me, they had it coming.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25
Perhaps the best Dark Droids story with the most satisfying conclusion that actually explored the concept of a hive mind in relation to Vader's characters arc.

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. I know I loved this book because I just kept reading it and suddenly discovered it was finished. Great artwork, the story is set with the Dark Droids main story as the back drop, but it also moves Vader's story along nicely in both his own development and the internal power struggle between him and Emperor Palpatine.

Since the Force Wave hit, Vader's connection to the Force has been diminished. However, using artefacts and technology as a crouch Vader seems more powerful than ever. Now, with the Scourge and the "only strongest survive" philosophy of the Empire, Vader is forced to look internally to restore and possibly grow his powers. Also, will Vader be forced to trade one master for another?

This reminds me of the first volume/book of this series. Showing Vader as an undeniable force of nature, but also showing his intelligence and tactical side. This crisis might be over, but there are more people out to get or use Vader than ever. The book finishes with a thumbnail and a couple of full-page varient covers in the gallery.

[Matthew Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Don’t make Vader angry. You won’t like Vader when he’s angry. “That’s my secret Cap. I’m always angry.” A lot of Hulk-like parallels in the man versus machine volume this one was but overall another strong example showcasing how strong Vader really is.

[Shaun Stanley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 8 Dark Droids collects issues 37-41 of the DC Comics series written by Greg Pak, art by Raffaele Ienco, and colors by Federico Blee.

After conquering the force waves by embracing his hate, Vader returns to The Executor as the Scourge droid virus spreads throughout the galaxy including aboard his own flagship. The Scourge has its sights on infesting the half-man, half-machine Vader.

Leave it to Pak to write the best tie-in to the Dark Droids event. I believe the reason it works so well is that it still largely continues to build off the same themes introduced in earlier volumes and Vader not being thrown into the main event story line. Ochi and Sabé are missing here, but I imagine they will show back up soon.

[Tyler Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even when the story is semi rushed to fit an event Darth Vader will always just be sick as hell. Love seeing how ruthless he can get and how absolutely evil Palpatine can really be. Vader’s involvement with this event has been the least of all these stories but he also got to know the Spark the most, other than Aphra who was the Spark for a time. Excited for this Schism Imperial story that’s coming next even though we know that’s unsuccessful.

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've got one more Volume of "Dark Droids" to read (D-Squad) and I think I have just about worn out my enjoyment for the idea of the story. BUT, with Vader.... you know his Volume is going to be epic!
Vader has been having trouble with the Force, and with the arrival of the Scourge, you'd think he would be much worse off, but its just the boost he needed to get his control of the Force back. He is even able to withstand an attack from the Emperor!
Overall, a good read, but nothing too insane.
Recommend.

[Sarospice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pak has done a great job in his run on constantly challenging Vader and Anakin, to make him stronger. Here, the Dark Droids try to take over Vader's body and find that harder than anticipated.

[ashlabooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Darth Vader: Dunkle Droiden

Im letzten Band verlor Vader durch eine starke Machtwelle seine Beherrschung über das mysteriöse Energiefeld und versuchte sie mit Hilfe der Abenteuerin Doktor Aphra zurückzuerlangen. Ein Versuch, der nur begrenzt glückte. Und nun bekommt er es auch noch mit der Plage zu tun, welche Droiden befällt und sie zu willenlosen Subjekten umfunktioniert...

Die Handlung:

Bei der Bekämpfung der Plage gelingt es dem Dunklen Lord seine Machtbeherrschung zurückzuerlangen und er erkennt in Palpatine seinen wahren Feind. Ein Kampf der Sith scheint unausweichlich...

Meine Meinung:

Gewohnt actionreich setzt sich Vaders Reise fort. Autor Greg Pak nutzt mit der Konfrontation mit Palpatine ein bekanntes Narrativ, welches Vader seit Jahrzehnten verkörpert. Insofern also nichts Neues, allerdings etwas Bewährtes. Dabei spielt der Konflikt mit der Plage zunächst fast nur eine Nebenrolle, wird aber später gewinnbringend eingesetzt. Dabei zeigt sich Vaders eindrucksvoller Wille, indem er die Droiden-Krankheit versucht für sich zu nutzen. Ein spannendes Konzept. Das Ende führt schließlich (schon wieder) eine neue Antagonistenfraktion ein, die mittlerweile fast wie Sand am Meer vorhanden sind. Die Zeichnungen sind gewohnt klar und mit starken Farben getuscht, was das Actionspektakel unterstreicht.

Fazit:

Die Mischung aus Bekanntem und Neuen macht es. Ein sehr actionlastiger Band mit tollen Zeichnungen.

Werbung: Vielen lieben Dank an Panini für die Bereitstellung des Rezensionexemplares!

[Ahdom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 8: Dark Droids plunges readers into the gripping turmoil of the DARK DROIDS event, where Darth Vader faces a formidable challenge. Killer droids have seized control of Vader's flagship, the Executor, setting the stage for a high-stakes confrontation. The narrative skillfully weaves in the lessons imparted by Jedi Masters Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, introducing a layer of complexity to Vader's internal struggle. As the Curse of the Jedi looms large, readers are treated to a fascinating exploration of Vader's character and the precarious balance between his past and his allegiance to the dark side. The galactic conquest unfolds with intensity, making this volume a standout addition to the Dark Droids event and a must-read for fans immersed in these chapters of the Star Wars universe.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I barely recall this Dark Droids tie-in. As far as I can recall, Darth Vader battles a number of droids that have been taken over by the Scourge (an easy guess) and also battles Palpatine, who has turned his dickishness up to 11 for some reason.

I miss when Darth Vader actually did stuff.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

So after tracking down a reading order for the Dark Droids series, I decided to dip into these volumes in what I found was a near-chronological ordering of the issues, with Dark Droids wrapping up shortly before Star Wars, Bounty Hunters, and Doctor Aphra (which all felt like epilogues to this in their own ways). As such, I'm going to have this review in EVERY Dark Droids TPB review to open with my thoughts on the series before then moving into the specific TPB in question.

The Dark Droids Series:
I have VERY mixed feelings about this run. I didn't think it was bad, really, outside of one particular TPB -- everything else received 3s and 4s from me. However, nothing really excelled or really excited me. I think one of the major reasons for this is the framing -- this is all meant to take place in between ESB and RotJ, and it just don't make sense that come RotJ, we don't see ANY fallout from a mass droid uprising and the deaths of what in the series looked like thousands but given the galaxy-wide spread, was likely BILLIONS and BILLIONS of lives lost. Also, RotJ doesn't feature an uptick in cyborgs or hybroids (I really didn't love that name either!) which leaves this series feel like it only has stakes for characters we don't see in RotJ. Unfortunately, there aren't really any major character deaths either -- and to top it all off, any side characters for this run were mostly relegated to such a background role that we don't know a ton of what happened to them (sorry, Magna's cool squad!).

This idea is a really cool one, and I do like how it spins (somewhat clearly) out of all the stuff that happened around the Spark Ascendant stuff from Hidden Empire. I honestly think keeping the scale smaller and maybe relegating this to one system with some convenient story contrivances (or hey, I dunno...maybe drag all the important characters back to No Space?) would help this to make more logical sense within the larger framework of the Star Wars stories.

Darth Vader, Vol 8:
Generally, I like Pak's run on Vader, though Vol 2 earned one of my rare 2-star reviews for a Star Wars series. So I know these runs can be mercurial, but this was another one that I thought was a bit weaker than I'd have hoped. I know Vader has been slowly building towards some sort of bigger confrontation with Palpatine that sees him cowed but also mildly rebellious come RotJ to justify his turn by that film's end, but here it felt forced. The art in the penultimate issue of this TPB was also so chaotic and unclear that I really wasn't sure who was where during the rooftop confrontation, nor what silhouettes I was observing. I really liked the idea of Vader's powers being wonky in the wake of Qira using the Fermata Cage, but again, Vader just seems to...decide to harness his powers more clearly later in this run? It never feels like anything actually manifests as a tipping point. And this series, as a whole, never resolves Vader's seeming third attempt at creating a droid army for his personal use, unless that thread gets picked up in future issues after the end of the Dark Droids run? I don't think I should be this confused!

One thing I did love, that I'll always love, is another appearance of the Eye of Webbish Bog, one of the weirdest creations in the Star Wars lore that I wish I got to spend even more time with.

[Ian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Book 8, tying-in to the Dark Droids crossover event.
After defeating one army of rogue droids, Vader finds himself targeted by another, this time in the control of the entity known as the Scourge. Gaining control over his erratic Force powers once more, Vader returns to Coruscant to confront the Emperor, with the Scourge's droids not far behind.

I've long wondered what it is about Greg Pak's characterisation of Vader that I dislike so much, but in this book I at first thought it was because he portrays Vader as a sulky toddler. By the end of the book I realised that it's not just that, however. It's that he portrays Vader as a sulky toddler who is also an idiotic incompetent, who is only elevated to protagonist status by being surrounded by characters who are even more annoying and incompetent.

So here we get Vader throwing tantrums, terribly-written banter comedy among his droids (like Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor, I'm totally against banter) and yet another scene of 'Vader attacks Palpatine, Palpatine beats Vader, both just decide to carry on as if it didn't happen'.

And, in case you were wondering, the Dark Droids crossover adds nothing of interest to this book and this book adds nothing significant to the crossover.

* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-4 ABY

This graphic novel is the eighth collected volume of the Star Wars Darth Vader (2020) series. It collects issues 37-41 and follows the epic events of the "Dark Droids" arc. In this arc, Vader's flagship has been taken over by the Scourge, an entity turning droids evil, killing whatever lay in their wake, and aiming to find an organix host. Vader, more machine than man, is perfect for that role. With most lifeforms on the Executor killed, the Empire finds Vader's ship to be a risk. But it's Vader; we all know he'll Sith the droids to death, as well as any one else who might get in his way.

This collection isn't as interesting as some, but still intriguing when it comes to Vader's memories with Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan, his choices with the Scourge, and his interactions with Palpatine. The art, as always, is absolutely phenomenal. I find myself just staring at a page with Vader's design, noticing the shading and details that just make this comic series so perfect. The Darth Vader (2020) series continues to be an iconic installment to the Star Wars universe that fans, especially those of our classic Sith Lord, will devour.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt really crowbarred into the overall event, as its storyline feels very inessential, and almost contradictory to the main Dark Droids storyline. The Scourge is torn between wanting Vader to unlock his powers, and being concerned about his violence. There's a storyline about the Executor being overtaken by the Scourge that has some weird moments for Imperials, too - definitely focuses on empathy being a negative in general, which is kind of weird. Also, this story doesn't really move forward Vader's story much. Oh look, someone else the Emperor has sent to kill him, ho hum....
If all you're looking for is Vader violence, you'll get that in spades - destroying droids allows him to be excessively destructive. But overall, it's not much of an addition to his storyline.

[Subham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was actually a pretty fun read and first GN I read this year and I am in love with it, it continues Pak's ability to make the series so epic and like show Vader being awesome with the events of dark droid happening and the scourge taking over everything, that whole story with the "executor" surrounded on all sides by Star destroyers and then you have scourge taking over.. and Vader surrounded on all sides.. its freaking epic and then you see him vs Palpatine and the whole thing with "hate" and it does so well to show the evolution of Vader between episode 5 and 6 and seriously hats off to Pak for still making the series so awesome!!

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Wars, Darth Vader, volume 8, Dark Droids.
Not much character depth but fast paced action. ***

#37- CURSE OF THE JEDI, SCOURGE OF THE DROIDS
"We won't be able to RETREAT!" - Ought-Six. "You will NEVER retreat." - Vader

#38- EXECUTOR EXTIRPATUS
".. you may fire when ready." - Admiral Piett

#39- CRUCIBLE OF HATE
"He's been TAKEN OVER! RUN before--" - Zed

#40- THE MASTER'S TRIAL
"The more YOU hate me.. the more ANY of them hate me.. the stronger I become." - Palpatine to Vader

#41- MORE MACHINE THAN MAN
"Lord Vader! You are SURROUNDED!... SURRENDER and return fur JUDGMENT, or face the CONSEQUENCES!" - Admiral Piett
"I choose.. consequences." - Vader
…..

[Tom · Rating 1 out of 5]

My least favorite volume in this series so far. A predictable outcome as this one is forced to tie into the Dark Droids crossover, which is my least favorite of the crossover events for this comic line. Even setting that aside, though, I don't think this volume manages to do much with the space it has to play in. The mini story with Vader in the Dark Droids spinoff book were better than this volume, by my estimation.

I had to chuckle a bit when Vader faces off against a droid and we get narration to the effect of "nuh-uh, this droid is force-proof, and also Vader-proof, so there!" Really took me back to the days of playing pretend with Star Wars toys as a kid.

[Cannon Qorson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Idk i didn't hate it.

Idk if I'll finish this series its gotten kinda stretched out. This volume is basically one long series of monologues and Vader blowing stuff up with his cool shield thing. This series was cool when Sabe was around but then she got yeeted into the ocean. Otherwise its starting to get a bit repetitive. Vader has plot armor so he's invincible and everyone who tries to assassinate him fails miserably.

Dark droids is an awesome idea that would have been better if it was a standalone series instead of a crossover and if it was maybe set at a different time period so it could have the actual consequences it deserves and not just feel like filler.

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I lot of Vader just talking about hate and sploding stuff. The last page of this sets up a storyline around Schism Imperial and tbh I fully hated the character designs on that page so we'll see how the next Vader volume goes.

I also don't love all of this retconning that the Emperor knows that Vader constantly hates him and wants to kill him. A little bit of this is reasonable for Sith relationships but too much just completely removes any level of suspense that one feels at the end of RotJ before he chooses to save Luke and kill the Emperor.

[Patricia Puckett · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know that this was a tie-in the whole Dark Droid thing across several SW series runs... but once again, I was reading a Darth Vader comic, and it felt like he was bit player. A little bit more than the bounty hunter one earlier in this run, but still. I felt like we were spending more time with the droids traveling with him than with him. And the part of this arc that was the most intriguing... was solved so quickly and with what felt like minimal effort. Not one of my favorite arcs so far.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

The effect of the Scourge reaches Darth Vader, who finds himself a prime candidate for its terrible power. Of course, Vader is Vader, and he won't let anyone into his head that's not meant to be there.

There's also a subplot about cyborgs that kind of parallels what's going on in the main plot. Honestly, I'm just glad we're shot of Sabé and the handmaidens at this point. They were a good idea that ran their course a while ago.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another strong entry in the dark droids crossover, which I really did not expect to like as much as I did. It's a simple, borglike villain but with a personal touch that fits Star Wars well, and it allows all of the characters to fight it in their own way in their own parts of the galaxy without feeling forced together. Pak continues his masterful run on Vader with efficiency that matches the character.

[Martijn Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts of pretty weak. With vader wielding staff and shield from the previous volume, botteling the dark droids.Thankfully it catches up Midway with great writing when we delve into vaders mind and we get to read more fuel for him to eventually betray the empire. The cliffhanger teases another crossover which is a bad thing. It's time to get to the events in Return of the Jedi.

[Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably my least favorite TPB for the Dark Droids crossover. There's some cool moments, such as Vader taking control over a handful of droids, but otherwise it wasn't anything special. Palpatine trying so hard to kill Vader in this is a bit ridiculous. The artwork is alright.

[Néstor Vargas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not follow the whole event again. Should I give it a try? It’s good to keep droids relevant, and this Hive mind story showcases how dangerous they can be for most people. The conclusion was a bit disappointing.

[Jonathan Farrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent entry in the series, with some really cool concepts that kept things fresh. While it had a few ups and downs, the highlights outweighed the weaker moments, making it an exciting and worthwhile read. A creative addition to Vader's storyline that kept me hooked.

[Iván Pedro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me ha parecido la mejor historia relacionada con el crossover Dark Droids. Ha ahondado muy bien en Vader y su historia personal, así como en sus miedos y odios para acabar combatiendo de una manera interesante a esta plaga de droides infectados. Me ha parecido mejor volumen que los anteriores.

[Christian · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read the Dark Droids run of this together with runs of Star Wars and Dark Droids, and a couple of other single issues. Everything from Charles Soule was alright, and everything else mediocre or bad