What do you think?
Rate this book
Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020)
Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 4: Crimson Reign
Red revenge! Lady Qi’ra not only insulted the Empire, but challenged it. In the end, Darth Vader showed her criminal organization that the Empire is not to be toyed with. But now, fearful whispers echo in every corner of the Empire — Darth Vader is on the hunt, searching for anyone with any connection to the Crimson Dawn. How deep has the Dawn infiltrated the galaxy — and are all their operations worthy of the wrath of Vader? In the bowels of Bespin, Darth Vader once told his son he wanted to bring order to the galaxy. Now his promise will be put to the test, as he leads an unlikely crew of heroes and assassins against the Crimson Dawn!
COLLECTING: Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) #18-22
COLLECTING: Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020) #18-22
120 pages, Paperback
First published October 18, 2022
About the author
Greg Pak
1,664 books603 followersGreg 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."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews
November 15, 2022
It's a good book. I have to say I did enjoy vol 1 and 2 slightly more than this one, but still a good book.
The war between the Empire and Crimson Dawn continues. Now Darth Vader is on the offensive. Who can he trust, and can they trust him? A lot of changing loyalties in this book, it is confusing who is on which side, but the strongest thing in this book is the look into Vader's mind. Going back to his conversation with Padme and his darkest days.
Dispite how powerful Vader is. This book is also a reminder of how brilliant a tactician is, determined and ruthless Vader. As he unearths traitors in the Empire, what if someone discovers his secrets again. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.
The war between the Empire and Crimson Dawn continues. Now Darth Vader is on the offensive. Who can he trust, and can they trust him? A lot of changing loyalties in this book, it is confusing who is on which side, but the strongest thing in this book is the look into Vader's mind. Going back to his conversation with Padme and his darkest days.
Dispite how powerful Vader is. This book is also a reminder of how brilliant a tactician is, determined and ruthless Vader. As he unearths traitors in the Empire, what if someone discovers his secrets again. The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.
December 26, 2022
2.5 stars. A few too many characters and the story jumps around basically like space travel only takes a matter of minutes which makes the pacing seem like a mess. This volume didn't have the care that the last 7-8 years of Vader comics are usually produced with.
April 7, 2025
Sabe Bad Ass!
October 17, 2022
These five issues comprise the Crimson Reign issues of Darth Vader, but they're mostly just more Vader being Vader - Crimson Dawn are mostly just incidental aside from a little subplot with Ochi Of Bestoon that won't play out till next time.
Of more interest is the return of Sabé, Padmé's handmaiden from earlier in the series. She's a great foil for Vader, and it's nice to have someone around who doesn't just seem either terrified of him or overconfident to the point that he kills them. We all know her days are numbered, but it's fun to see her sparring with Vader on equal footing, I'm glad she's back.
Raffaele Ienco remains on art for three of the five issues here, with Leonard Kirk appearing on one, and Guiu Villanova popping over from Eternals to do an issue too. Vader's always been a decent looking book, and there's no change there, though Kirk's still not one of my favourite artists.
Vader's Crimson Reign tie-in might not get him any more long term readers if they're looking for overarching plot points between this and the other Star Wars books, but it's still a solid read for those who've stuck around this far.
Of more interest is the return of Sabé, Padmé's handmaiden from earlier in the series. She's a great foil for Vader, and it's nice to have someone around who doesn't just seem either terrified of him or overconfident to the point that he kills them. We all know her days are numbered, but it's fun to see her sparring with Vader on equal footing, I'm glad she's back.
Raffaele Ienco remains on art for three of the five issues here, with Leonard Kirk appearing on one, and Guiu Villanova popping over from Eternals to do an issue too. Vader's always been a decent looking book, and there's no change there, though Kirk's still not one of my favourite artists.
Vader's Crimson Reign tie-in might not get him any more long term readers if they're looking for overarching plot points between this and the other Star Wars books, but it's still a solid read for those who've stuck around this far.
January 25, 2025
Empieza con Vader queriendo vengarse del Alba Escarlata y empezando a golpear todos los sitios donde ellos ataquen, incluso si están aliados con algunos agentes del Imperio. En Vincorba se alía a unos luchadores que odian al Alba. Valance . Cuando destruyen un puesto del Alba se dan cuenta que está infiltrada hasta altas esferas del Imperio. Sabé mientras se ha afiliado al Alba para que Vader la busque y encontrarlo pero aquí se entera que Anakin y Padmé tuvieron un hijo. Sabé tendrá un plan para engañar a Vader y de paso a miembros del Alba como Ochi y Dora Moore.
Me gusta, aunque entiendo que a algunos les canse, la cantidad de veces que Pak usa los recuerdos de las precuelas durante su narración. El final entre Sabé y Vader me encantó y anuncia lo que se viene.
Me gusta, aunque entiendo que a algunos les canse, la cantidad de veces que Pak usa los recuerdos de las precuelas durante su narración. El final entre Sabé y Vader me encantó y anuncia lo que se viene.
February 13, 2023
Crimson Reign commits the cardinal sin of having Darth Vader be an ancillary character in a Darth Vader book. Instead, we spend most of Crimson Reign with Ochi the assassin and his terrifically dull band of mercenaries who hate Crimson Reign. Ultimately, Darth Vader's goal is to destroy Crimson Reign from the inside... maybe? I just don't know and it seems clear that none of this will matter in the long run.
A Darth Vader comic should be wordless and action packed. Vader arrives, says nothing, demolishes everything, moves on. Dialogue is a waste of space.
Oh, I guess Vader is also going to team up with Amidala's handmaiden, Sabe. Maybe that will be interesting in the future? It's not very interesting here.
A Darth Vader comic should be wordless and action packed. Vader arrives, says nothing, demolishes everything, moves on. Dialogue is a waste of space.
Oh, I guess Vader is also going to team up with Amidala's handmaiden, Sabe. Maybe that will be interesting in the future? It's not very interesting here.
June 21, 2023
Vader and some kind of Scooby gang try to expurge Crimson Dawn of the Empire.
Vader is ancillary in his own series and fails to be the impressive Sith Lord he is supposed to be.
Ochi of Bestoon- a poor man’s Deadpool of a sort- kinda leads the aforementioned Scooby gang and make bad jokes while almost everybody double-crosses someone else. Sigh.
I don’t click with Sabé and her quest either.
A bunch of unimpressive different artists illustrate the whole. None is particularly bad but none is good enough to save the day.
Vader is ancillary in his own series and fails to be the impressive Sith Lord he is supposed to be.
Ochi of Bestoon- a poor man’s Deadpool of a sort- kinda leads the aforementioned Scooby gang and make bad jokes while almost everybody double-crosses someone else. Sigh.
I don’t click with Sabé and her quest either.
A bunch of unimpressive different artists illustrate the whole. None is particularly bad but none is good enough to save the day.
August 30, 2024
I like a good double . . . or triple . . . or quadruple cross as much as the next person, but at this point everyone in this series has betrayed everyone else so many times that I simply do not care. Who is on who's side? Who knows, it will change six panels later, why should I bother to keep track.
July 31, 2022
The Vader is the best Star Wars book coming out.
October 29, 2023
Not quite enough Vader in this Vader book, but still very enjoyable.
March 12, 2023
Vader: "Fear me, if you dare" 😈
Sabé, sipping tea and pulling up a deck chair: "Shut up Anakin" 👑
Sabé, sipping tea and pulling up a deck chair: "Shut up Anakin" 👑
November 11, 2023
Snip, snap, snip, snap. Crimson Dawn, not Crimson Dawn, Crimson Dawn. A lot is going on in this volume when it comes to allegiances and moves for power which is exactly what I want in a Vader book. I especially thought the utilizations of Ochi and Sabé were great in this volume.
December 12, 2022
3-4 ABY
This graphic novel is volume four of the 2020 Darth Vader series containing issues 18-22, the compilation of which is entitled "Crimson Reign." As inferred from the title, this is related to Crimson Dawn's takeover of the crime syndicates and causing a new kind of war among the galaxy. There is a bit of cross-over here with the Bounty Hunters series as well, and I recommend reading Bounty Hunters Volume 4: Crimson Reign, before reading this one due to some of the events. There is a lot of Ochi of Bestoon, who is interesting to gauge and figure out. Vader has his own agenda when it comes to getting rid of Crimson Reign members, and might even be trying to get rid of a few Empire people who seem rather troublesome. The handmaiden and double of Queen Amidala, Sabe, also makes a reappearance. Her involvement with the bounty hunters and Vader will certainly be interesting.
The art in this volume doesn't seem up to par with other Darth Vader works, but it's still good. It is interesting to read the different parts of the timeline (Bounty Hunters, Darth Vader 2020, Star Wars 2020, and Doctor Aphra) and how they all interconnect. I really like seeing Ochi in action. I am extremely excited to read Shadow of the Sith, which has a lot of Ochi in it, and it's nice to get some of his backstory before the fall of the Empire. I find the dynamic between Sabe and Vader will also add quite the interesting element as the story continues.
This graphic novel is volume four of the 2020 Darth Vader series containing issues 18-22, the compilation of which is entitled "Crimson Reign." As inferred from the title, this is related to Crimson Dawn's takeover of the crime syndicates and causing a new kind of war among the galaxy. There is a bit of cross-over here with the Bounty Hunters series as well, and I recommend reading Bounty Hunters Volume 4: Crimson Reign, before reading this one due to some of the events. There is a lot of Ochi of Bestoon, who is interesting to gauge and figure out. Vader has his own agenda when it comes to getting rid of Crimson Reign members, and might even be trying to get rid of a few Empire people who seem rather troublesome. The handmaiden and double of Queen Amidala, Sabe, also makes a reappearance. Her involvement with the bounty hunters and Vader will certainly be interesting.
The art in this volume doesn't seem up to par with other Darth Vader works, but it's still good. It is interesting to read the different parts of the timeline (Bounty Hunters, Darth Vader 2020, Star Wars 2020, and Doctor Aphra) and how they all interconnect. I really like seeing Ochi in action. I am extremely excited to read Shadow of the Sith, which has a lot of Ochi in it, and it's nice to get some of his backstory before the fall of the Empire. I find the dynamic between Sabe and Vader will also add quite the interesting element as the story continues.
May 19, 2022
Vader comics always seem to deliver. Greg Pak keeps the story moving, tying the expanded Star Wars lore into the Vader story in the era of Crimson Reign. This was a good run with lots of action and a cool story. I am so excited to see what's next for the Vader line!
October 24, 2022
Order through fear. Lots of cleaning house and betrayal.
October 26, 2022
Had a little bit of a hard time following the crimson reign storyline but loved all the bits with Sabé especially that end! ❤️
August 10, 2023
Sabé, my precioussss
August 9, 2022
See “Crimson Reign” review for in depth thoughts.
November 12, 2024
“Is this about Lord Vader again?”
“It’s always about Vader”
So true 👏🏻 And now Sabe knows his secret…
“It’s always about Vader”
So true 👏🏻 And now Sabe knows his secret…
April 11, 2025
Is it bad that I sorta kinda ship Vader and Sabe together?
Crimson Dawn is a boring storyline.
Crimson Dawn is a boring storyline.
November 18, 2022
Book four, tying-in to the 'Crimson Reign' event storyline.
Vader gathers together a force of mercenaries and assassins to use in purging the Crimson Dawn infiltrators from the ranks of the Empire.
The writer who thought that Vader needed a comedy sidekick (Ochi of Bestoon) takes that idea a step further and gives him an entire team of zany misfits.
Seriously, who's asking for this stuff?
The idea of Vader using the underworld to achieve his ends is entirely in-character (see 'The Empire Strikes Back') but having these new characters all being wise-cracking comedic types is so tonally wrong for Vader that it is just jarring.
Frustratingly, there is a core concept here which I actually really liked, in which Vader tosses aside Imperial protocol and politics in order to root out the infiltrators. Because Crimson Dawn is a ruthless criminal organisation, it gives the writer more freedom for Vader to be more ruthless than if, say, the infiltrators were members of the Rebellion holding the moral high ground (Vader really hates that!). But it's a s somewhat missed opportunity because so much time is given over to establishing the team of wacky misfits.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
Vader gathers together a force of mercenaries and assassins to use in purging the Crimson Dawn infiltrators from the ranks of the Empire.
The writer who thought that Vader needed a comedy sidekick (Ochi of Bestoon) takes that idea a step further and gives him an entire team of zany misfits.
Seriously, who's asking for this stuff?
The idea of Vader using the underworld to achieve his ends is entirely in-character (see 'The Empire Strikes Back') but having these new characters all being wise-cracking comedic types is so tonally wrong for Vader that it is just jarring.
Frustratingly, there is a core concept here which I actually really liked, in which Vader tosses aside Imperial protocol and politics in order to root out the infiltrators. Because Crimson Dawn is a ruthless criminal organisation, it gives the writer more freedom for Vader to be more ruthless than if, say, the infiltrators were members of the Rebellion holding the moral high ground (Vader really hates that!). But it's a s somewhat missed opportunity because so much time is given over to establishing the team of wacky misfits.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
August 15, 2026
I genuinely cannot believe how much screen time Ochi of Bestoon is getting in this series. Are you happy with what you have wrought, J.J. Abrams? Canst thou sleep at night knowing what thou hast done???
No but like actually why was this series created except to attempt to justify Episode IX
No but like actually why was this series created except to attempt to justify Episode IX
March 9, 2023
The story picks up a lot more characters, crossovers from other books, and is a bit cluttered with multiple plots and betrayals. It also jumps from planet to planet so fast that it's hard to keep track of where everything is happening and the situations feel more like a stage play then a story. The art is generally effective though sometimes takes a moment to understand what is being conveyed.
March 25, 2023
Vader is off to prove he WILL bring Order to the galaxy, his way! And Crimson Dawn and it’s infiltrators into the Empire will be exposed and dealt with.
November 3, 2022
This whole a Crimson Reign series and tie-ins has just been meh. Not really good and not really bad. Same with this trade. Not your usual Vader and not your usual stories. Have a prequel sequels character show up was fun but could have been used better. And the bounty hunter working with Vader is just plan dumb. The artwork was adequate but nothing spectacular and the writing seemed to be just to further the story of the crossover along not to move Vaders story anywhere. Hoping we get back to good writing now that this crossover is done.
August 6, 2023
Continuing re-read. Ugh. This volume is so frustrating, and this whole run STAYS frustrating for so long. I understand the need to tie up the Empire, Vader, and Palpatine with conflicts to keep them from getting at the Rebellion or Luke until RotJ, but the bag is beyond fumbled here. Ochi and Sabe, two of my fav characters from Pak’s first two volumes, are relegated to constantly nonsensically side-switching between Crimson Dawn and Vader, and Vader is so often like, “Oh I knew the whole time and it’s fine who cares.”
And speaking of Vader…when we last left him, prior to WotBH, he was broken by the rejection of Luke, and while we did see Palpatine put him back in his place, here his “inner monologue” has been reduced to red-tinged memories of Padme and Anakin discussing order versus chaos. With Vader clearly seeing his mission to eradicate Dawn agents as “orderly.” But the plot jumps around so chaotically with fake lists of Dawn agents and Vader being “tricked,” but actually, no not really…it’s too much.
And what are these ridiculous assassin/freedom fighter characters? And why is Valance reduced to standing around looking pissy? This volume is a FALL from a high height, yeesh.
And speaking of Vader…when we last left him, prior to WotBH, he was broken by the rejection of Luke, and while we did see Palpatine put him back in his place, here his “inner monologue” has been reduced to red-tinged memories of Padme and Anakin discussing order versus chaos. With Vader clearly seeing his mission to eradicate Dawn agents as “orderly.” But the plot jumps around so chaotically with fake lists of Dawn agents and Vader being “tricked,” but actually, no not really…it’s too much.
And what are these ridiculous assassin/freedom fighter characters? And why is Valance reduced to standing around looking pissy? This volume is a FALL from a high height, yeesh.
November 28, 2022
3.5 Stars.
This is the first time that the Darth Vader title has felt like an ensemble book rather than Vader focused. The majority of the Volume covers Vader, Ochi, and the various group of assassins and bounty hunters hunting down and killing anyone associated with Crimson Dawn. They get steered in quite a few wrong directions and we finally get the reveal that Sabe, former handmaiden of Padme, now member of the "Amidalans", (and infiltrated member of Crimson Dawn) is sabotaging Vader. She has found evidence of the birth of Luke on Polis Massa (FINALLY!!!! SOMEONE FINDS THE TRAIL!) and has deciphered that Vader is Anakin. She tells him that she wants Order, the same as he does, but I think her motive must be revenged based. Time will tell.
Overall, an alright Volume, but looking forward to the Crimson Dawn stuff being over. Too much focus lately on the story of Ochi (connection to Ep 9) and Qi'ra (connection to Solo) and not enough heading towards RoTJ.
This is the first time that the Darth Vader title has felt like an ensemble book rather than Vader focused. The majority of the Volume covers Vader, Ochi, and the various group of assassins and bounty hunters hunting down and killing anyone associated with Crimson Dawn. They get steered in quite a few wrong directions and we finally get the reveal that Sabe, former handmaiden of Padme, now member of the "Amidalans", (and infiltrated member of Crimson Dawn) is sabotaging Vader. She has found evidence of the birth of Luke on Polis Massa (FINALLY!!!! SOMEONE FINDS THE TRAIL!) and has deciphered that Vader is Anakin. She tells him that she wants Order, the same as he does, but I think her motive must be revenged based. Time will tell.
Overall, an alright Volume, but looking forward to the Crimson Dawn stuff being over. Too much focus lately on the story of Ochi (connection to Ep 9) and Qi'ra (connection to Solo) and not enough heading towards RoTJ.
May 13, 2024
Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 4 Crimson Reign collects issues 18-22 of the Marvel Comics series written by Greg Pak with art by Leonard Kirk, Guiu Villanova, and Raffaele Ienco.
Falling out of “The War of the Bounty Hunters,” Darth Vader is on an all out hunt of Crimson Dawn secret agents after being outsmarted by Lady Qi’ra. With a group of assassin’s on his side, Vader will root out all double agents from The Empire.
This volume was more Vader-adjacent with a large focus on Ochi of Bestoon and the return of Sabé, the former handmaiden to Queen Amidala. This issue also has a large cast of assassins, freedom fighters, Imperial leaders, and more which water downs the overall story. There are moments of badass Vader action sprinkled into the various blaster fights. I felt this whole volume could have been condensed into 2 issues.
Falling out of “The War of the Bounty Hunters,” Darth Vader is on an all out hunt of Crimson Dawn secret agents after being outsmarted by Lady Qi’ra. With a group of assassin’s on his side, Vader will root out all double agents from The Empire.
This volume was more Vader-adjacent with a large focus on Ochi of Bestoon and the return of Sabé, the former handmaiden to Queen Amidala. This issue also has a large cast of assassins, freedom fighters, Imperial leaders, and more which water downs the overall story. There are moments of badass Vader action sprinkled into the various blaster fights. I felt this whole volume could have been condensed into 2 issues.
February 15, 2026
Vader goes on a rampage authorizing a cleansing campaign against Crimson Dawn inside and outside the empire. This was an ok story arc, but it’s getting old seeing so many people try to take down Vader and fail. We get it, let’s move on to a more interesting story idea. My favorite moment in these five issues was when Vader makes the case to Sabe that one large monster that rules is better for the galaxy than several smaller ones that will fight and compete for power.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 109 reviews