Star Wars: Darth Vader #1

Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) (Single Issues)

by Greg Pak, Inhyuk Lee (Cover Art), Raffaele Ienco (Artist)

“JOIN ME, AND TOGETHER, WE CAN RULE THE GALAXY AS FATHER AND SON!” In the shattering climax of The Empire Strikes Back, Darth Vader infamously reveals his true relationship to Luke Skywalker and invites his son to rule the galaxy at his side. But Luke refuses -- plunging into the abyss beneath Cloud City rather than turn to the Dark Side. We all remember Luke’s utter horror in this life-altering moment. But what about Vader? In this new epic chapter in the Darth Vader saga, the dark lord grapples with Luke’s unthinkable refusal and embarks on a bloody mission of rage-filled revenge against everything and everyone who had a hand in hiding and corrupting his only son. But even as he uncovers the secrets of Luke’s origins, Vader must face shocking new challenges from his own dark past. Writer Greg Pak and artist Raffaele Ienco unleash Darth Vader on his dark quest of vengeance and discovery!

Genres: Star Wars, Comics, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Comic Book

37 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 5, 2020

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

[Alexandra Elend Wolf]

Okay... I'm not all too sure about what I just saw... that ending can not be true.

As it is. Gosh, what a punch in the gut this work was.

Sure, I already had an idea of what it was gonna be about, thanks to the Star Wars Instagram account promoting it, but actually seeing it was better than I thought it could be.

Those recurring memories broke my heart.

Not a lot actually happens during the issue more than setting up for the rest of the volume but I'm really curious to see what's going on. After all, that ending, though confusing, is promising.
_________________________

A Vader story? Well, count me in for sure.

His story is one of the saddest things I've ever known and to say I've been obsessed with it since I was a child is putting it mildly. So, naturally, when I found out about the beginning of this series I just had to read it.

I'm super excited!!!

[Etienne]

So glad to see a new Darth Vader series has come to us in 2020. This is a more then promising first that! I'm totally in! Solid back story, good action, love the arts! Perfect wich is a rare thing for a first issue!

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

I am worried.

Seems to be falling into the trap of having Vader talk too much, and is also using an annoying Treasure Planet’s Ben to fill the gaps when he isn’t.

Get Gillen back, please. I Stan for Gillen.

[Matěj Komiksumec]

Dost jsem se bál kam se vydá nová Vader řada jenžto a protože ty předchozí byly super. A tahle začíná taky tak. Vader je klasicky badass a příběh příjemné odsýpá. Baví mě nová postava droida a očekávaný zvrat na konci byl vlastně taky dost příjemný.
Těším se co bude dál.

[Juho Pohjalainen]

It's a nice premise - seeing the big reveal and its aftermath from Vader's point of view - but contains way too much of the dialogue and plot points of possibly the worst Star Wars main episode. Also, I don't like the droid.

[Sid]

dad vader is feeling some *feelings* in this one. and he's emo and angry. whats new

[Cathryn]

The art in this comic was really good. I thought it was a good introduction into the struggle that was Anakin/Vader’s life. The flashback panels were a little chaotic, but that fits the story perfectly. It also has quite the cliffhanger ending!

[Derek Neveu]

I loved almost everything about this book, but I’m not sure how I feel about the last panel.

[Clint]

I impulse bought this in my local comic shop today. I didn’t hate it, nor love it. Solid three star. I won’t add it to my pull list, but will look for it in trade.

[J.O.]

This was really good. We dive into the man behind the mask. Vader goes to learn about his son as he reflects on his past. I am already looking forward to issue 2.

[Nicole Magolan]

This new comic is beautifully told through its story and artwork. The emotion tears across the pages as Vader, post-ESB, attempts to learn more about his son. This is prime time anakin angst hours and I am HERE FOR IT.

The artwork is STUNNING. The striking red used for flashbacks perfectly expresses Vader's rage and pain. The story is simple, emotional, and well-paced -- if not entirely original. It is mostly Vader visiting old memories, accompanied by a chatty new droid (who isn't too annoying, thankfully). But the sheer presence of Vader is enough to keep this story grounded.

I would give this issue a full five stars if I wasn't so annoyed at the plot twist ending. I am sick of Star Wars bringing back dead characters. Even though this will probably be explained away in the next issues anyway, the pointless return of this character does nothing but ruin the overall story. It meddles with character's motivations. It lowers the stakes within the universe. Death doesn't seem to mean anything. (So...since we're doing this...when are we bringing ben solo back, huh?)

[Delegate Zero]

This is more of a review of the whole series rather than this issue, as I just wanted to get my thoughts out there.

I hate to say it, but I've been hugely disappointed by this series. Especially given that the previous two Darth Vader series have been the gold standard for Star Wars comics, this one is woefully lacking. Not only is its character progression for Vader unoriginal, feeling like a retread of beats that were done better and more elegantly in the aforementioned series, but frankly, nothing here flows as well as it did in those. The goals and direction of the plot are unclear and often meandering, the characters are broadly drawn (although admittedly entertaining in Ochi's case), the art is mediocre, and for the first time in any of these series, the comic takes huge, and hugely detrimental, detours into meaningless events (War of the Bounty Hunters and the Crimson Dawn one) that absolutely demolish the little narrative momentum that has been built up over the course of the series. I'm sure I wouldn't have been as critical of these asides if I had read the core events themselves, but I should at least be given some idea of what's going on within the series itself instead of stumbling into each issue bewildered as to what in god's name is happening.

I've read up to issue 20, and I don't think I'll be continuing beyond this. Needless to say, I am sorely disappointed by how this series has turned out and I hope my excursion into the 2020 core Star Wars comic (written by Charles Soule, of Dark Lord of the Sith fame) is more fruitful.

[David]

"Join me, and together we can rule the Galaxy as Father and Son!"

Marvel's new Darth Vader series, kicking off at almost exactly that point in The Empire Strikes Back, where Luke has just discovered his true identity, this sees Vader off to find out just who hid Luke from hima ll his life.

Juxtaposing several key scenes with flashbacks to his previous life as Anakin Skywalker, this - perhaps - is more of a 'deep dive' into Vader's inner being than any of the previous Darth Vader comics have been, although that cliff-hanger ending …

[M]

This is a good start to what I imagine will be an impactful Vader story. It takes place right after The Empire Strikes Back, and follows Vader as he travels to find out about Luke’s past, but ends up running into ghosts of his own. The art is crisp and clean and feels like Star Wars.

These are the kind of Vader stories I like - the ones that explore his past and how he views his ghosts through the lenses of his mask.

[Steven Shinder]

Sure, Vader does cool feats in this. But it feels rather redundant having Vader visit the Lars moisture farm yet again after he had done so in Gillen’s run. And the “twist ending” feels super gimmicky. Also, the flashbacks are starting to feel old hat to me. On one hand, it may feel consistent. On the other hand, it kinda feels like the same old tricks that made people love the other comics.

[David Dalton]

Here we go, back to the heart and soul of Star Wars: the life of Darth Vader. What a tragic Shakespearian character he is. I was looking forward to being in on the ground floor of this version of the Vader stories. I have read almost all of the 2015 and 2017 collections and loved them all. Great art and love the story!

[Brayden Raymond]

Not a bad start to the refreshed Vader run from Ep5-6 I like how Vader is confronting his past in his search for Luke. Although the assisting droid he has is fairly annoying and I find it difficult to understand how the droid knows so much about Luke if the boy was to be a secret on Tatooine

[Ash Cicalo]

Looking for More Vader??

I have always been fascinated by the story of Vader. Does he remember his past?? How much does he remember?? This comic really pulls you in. It’s a great start to this series. I can’t wait to read more!!!!

[Ange VNs]

Easily the best comic post prequel trilogy. Actually has callbacks to the prequels, good pacing, good plot, characters we haven't see forever make a triumphant return, and a bunch of good moments. Only flaw is it relied a little too much on quoting scenes from the Prequels.

[Adam Gilbert]

Vulnerable Vader: a unique and rich story start

Cool threads coming together for a fantastic story! Reading the Padme novels and some other Star Wars media all contribute to rich stories between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.

[Brian DeAuGuStines]

What?!?

True biggest twist in Star Wars, since we learned Luke and Leia were Vader’s children. Unreal. Great writing and art.

[Beta_Critic]

Wtf just happend

[Abdo]

I wish to see in the upcoming issues more unexpected stories, not just carving from the franchise.
The story and art is amazing btw.

[Timothy Aulph]

More details to a familiar story

I like how this series is diving into Darth Vader's mind after discovering he has a son. Very interesting so far. Looking forward to the next one.

[Leigh]

My favorite star wars comic of all time. I love having my questions answered after all of this time.

[Marta Duda-Gryc]

Oh, nice! And I do appreciate the droid, without him it would probably be too heavy. Especially with this punch in the gut at the end.

[Iris Bratton]

These comics just prove Vader is SO COOL!!!

It's so interesting to see his perspective after the events of Emperor Strikes Back. This is a fantastic start to the series!

[Sean Gaillard]

The Circle Is Complete and Yet It Continues!

A satisfying extension into the story of Darth Vader! Highly recommended. Creative and resonates with solid storytelling. A must read!

[Nick Nguyen]

3.5 stars

[Simge]

What a cliffhanger, wow