Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol. 6: Return of the Handmaidens

Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020)

by Greg Pak, Raffaelle Ienco (Illustrator), Luke Ross (Illustrator)

Greg Pak's groundbreaking run on Darth Vader continues!

The shadow in the fire! For decades, Sabé, Handmaiden of Padmé Amidala, schemed to assassinate Darth Vader, whom she believed murdered her queen. But Sabé has learned Vader’s greatest secret, and now she fights at his side, believing that someday, she may prove there is still good in him. What happens when the Handmaiden finally comes face-to-face with the Emperor, who knows all of her secrets? As the Queen’s Shadow enters the crucible, will Vader let her burn?

Genres: Star Wars, Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Science Fiction, Fiction, Space Opera

120 pages, Paperback

First published June 27, 2023

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

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

For my part I'm enjoying Sabé's journey into Vader's personal dark, dark world- part of the fun is knowing it can't end at any good place.


Anakin is living the nightmare.

[Jesús De la Jara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Luego de ser puesta a prueba por el Emperador, Sabé sigue acompañando a Vader rumbo a Skako Minor donde Jul Tambo está creando una rebelión. Ochi increíblemente se une a las demás doncellas devotas de Amidala pues también quiere a Sabé fuera de su camino.
Las doncellas no pueden creer que "la mejor de ellas" esté por voluntad propia con Vader. Cuando Sabé trata de arreglar por las buenas la rebelión, Jul Tambo la traiciona y será su rehén. Eso hará que Vader y las doncellas tengan que decidir qué hacer. En el camino serán tentadas y probadas. La decisión final de Sabé nos traerá una de las mejores imágenes de este volumen del cómic.
De alguna manera creo que Vader también está cambiando un poco ya que considera a algunos inocentes y a otros culpables. Creo que antes no le importaba quiénes eran los que debería dejar en paz y quiénes sí destruir. En sus recuerdos Vader aún piensa que Padmé debió haberlo seguido y juntos hubieran reinado la galaxia. Con respecto a Ochi funciona muy bien como personaje gracioso y perro faldero de Vader, la verdad es que no me parece el mismo que años depués matará brutalmente a los padres de Rey.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

3-4 ABY

This graphic novel is the sixth collected volume of the Darth Vader (2020) line of comics consisting of issues 28-32. Vader's new pet, Sabe, seems to have her own thirst for blood. She is tasked with finding and assassinating the pirate Jul Tambor. When her plan changes, she finds that Jul has quite an unexpected army with the desire to take on Vader. Meanwhile, Padme's other four handmaidens seek to rescue Sabe, finding themselves in an interesting tango with Vader.

Yet another amazing installment of the Darth Vader comics. The art is phenomenal, and I find myself spending long minutes just admiring the way Vader is drawn. The four other handmaidens are similar, but different enough in their style and mannerisms to make them somewhat interesting. The most intriguing aspect of this continues series is the growing dynamic between Vader and Sabe. It's like an admiration they both share for Padme that brings them together, and it is interesting to see how Vader's demeanor changes around Sabe. Man, what a comic series!

[Adam Fisher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Volume 6 continues Vader's adventures with Sabe, this time fighting against the other of Padme's handmaidens, as well as putting down a rebellion and conquest illustrated by Jul Tambor, grandson of Wat Tambor (leader of the Techno Union killed by Anakin on Mustafar). The ending is what interested me most.... Sabe admits that she is standing by Vader not only because it honors Padme, but also so that the rest of the Handmaidens don't have to "lose their soul". Once she leaves the room, Vader screams and force pushes, claiming she isn't the only one.

Very interested to see how their partnership evolves. We know that Sabe is gone come time for RoTJ...
Recommend.

[Matthew Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. The story of Sabe has really stretched out a bit with not exactly much payoff, but if this goes somewhere substantial, I would consider it all worth it. I’m just not positive that I see much progressing past where we have it now. I do enjoy the dynamic between the characters a lot, but it does just feel like build-up. I’m really hoping moving forward that Vader continues to look upon his past and continue once again to work on his desire for relationship, if you call it that, with Luke.

[Ahdom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has gotten VERY interesting. I would have never guessed things would go this way with certain characters and I am so excited to return to this arc to see what happens. This would have been fun to see transpire in a live action series. Greg Pak is still delivering on this line of Vader comics.

[Tyler Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed seeing Padmé’s handmaidens and their dedication to her memory. I also really love the toll seeing them has on Vader. His thoughts constantly making him think of a world where he didn’t kill her. I’m excited to see where their story continues to go after this.

[ashlabooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review ⭐⭐⭐
Darth Vader: Die Rückkehr der Schatten

Passend zu meinem Re-read der „Padmé“-Trilogie, bietet Panini nun die deutsche Übersetzung der Hefte 26-32 der aktuellen Darth Vader-Reihe, in der Padmés Zofen zurückkehren...

Die Handlung:

Sabé soll sich dem Imperium beweisen, indem sie den Planeten Skako vom aufständischen Jul Tambor befreit. Doch sie hat die Rechnung ohne ihre Schwestern gemacht. Dormé, Rabé, Saché und Eirtaé tun alles, um eine der ihren vor dem Untergang zu bewahren...

Meine Meinung:

Die Rückkehr der Zofen ist ansprechend gelungen. Autor und Zeichnern ist es im Zusammenspiel gelungen, sowohl ihre Ähnlichkeiten als auch Eigenheiten einzufangen. Fans der Padmé-Bücher werden einige Referenzen erkennen können. Ihr Zusammenspiel mit Sabé und Vader ist gekonnt inszeniert. Leider ist Vader selbst in diesem Band scheinbar in Vergessenheit geraten und hat kaum Anteil an den Ereignissen. Auch Jul Tambor bleibt als Antagonist flach und vorhersehbar. Er existiert erkennbar mehr als plot device als aus sich selbst heraus. Die Zeichnungen sind wie immer hervorragend gelungen und bieten den größten Anreiz für den Kauf.

Fazit:

Eine eher schwache Geschichte mit teils starken Figuren und tollen Zeichnungen.

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

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

here for sabé

[Khurram · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this Darth Varder series and this book in particular. From the title of "Return of the Handmaidens," I was not too impressed, as I find not thinking the Handmaidens needed to be seen again. However, the book is done extremely well. Haunting of Vader/Anakin's past with the face of Padme and memories his confrontation with Luke make this a great story.

The other thing I like about this series is that they continually show Vader is not just a weapon of destruction. He is a strategist as well. Whenever I think someone has the upper hand, suddenly the other character spring their trap.

The battle between the Siths continues with the souls of the Handmaidens at stake and the people of the galaxy as their chess peices. Can the past be used to create the future that Vader wants? The book finishes with a varient cover gallery.

[Patricia Puckett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know we all know that Vader needs therapy like... yesterday... but... you okay, buddy?

I loved this, by the way.

[Holly (The GrimDragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Anakin...you're breaking my heart!"

The Handmaidens have always deserved more attention & I'm glad to see them get some time to fucking shine here! And there's even a *stage whispers* QUEER HANDMAIDEN!!!! Fuck. Yes.

[Yolanda Carhell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m emotional and full of childlike joy, please keep ‘em coming, Greg.

[Karol-Ann]

18/40 — 2024 reading challenge

[Karissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

“First I’ll kill Darth Vader!”

“Well, there wasn’t much point in saving your life, then, was there?”

😆

Very interesting to see more interactions with the handmaidens. Sabe seems to be playing the long con

[Jeremiah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel so sad for Sabé.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Power corrupts but it can make order possible. It's not all about forcing change as well.

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25
Really enjoying the Sabe storyline. Add interesting depth and character arcs to explore.

[Pamela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best of the bunch so far but still mostly just OK. This whole series has too many things that I took issue with for me to give them anything more than a 3 (maybe this one can have a 3.25 just because it started away from anything too extraneous and focused solely on the Sabe/Handmaidens story).

What bothered me about that, though, is a big problem that I also found with the representations of the Handmaidens in the EK Johnston books too: we know what they look like and we know they don’t look exactly the same… Keira Knightley (Sabe) and Rose Byrne (Dorme) could never pass as being the exact same person.

Just because the illustrator chose to draw them as looking alike doesn’t meant they do… Also, Sache isn’t blonde. She’s Sofia Coppola…sure she could’ve dyed her hair, but much like Sabe and Dorme looking like generic Natalie Portman-esque women, Sache was also drawn as a generic blonde woman. I tried to convince myself that maybe they draw them generic so they don’t have to pay the actresses but you can draw them a *little* closer to what they look like… (Actually, the illustrations really confused me because on the one hand there’s a perfect incarnation of Obi-Ewan-Kenobi… but then Anakin also looks like some random 20 something dude… not Hayden. Sometimes Padme looks exactly like Natalie Portman and other times she’s a generic pretty young woman too - is this because Ewan was back on contract with Disney/LFL at that point because he was making the Obi-Wan show? But then so was Hayden… why couldn’t he look like himself…?). Anyway, this all annoyed me because these are well cemented characters with well known faces that we’ve known for 20-25 years…

Even all that aside - the story is… just okay. I like that the handmaidens want to protect their sister, I like that they found a way to acknowledge Padme’s existence and bring Sabe and the other handmaidens into the mix… but it just didn’t feel right. The characterization of Vader always feels a little off… It takes a lot of rationalizing to myself that maybe he’s in a strange place post ESB with his mind so on his son and Padme to convince me that he would ever take even the slightest interest in Sabe. The Vader I always knew and grew up with would’ve just murdered the handmaidens ASAP because they remind him of what he’s lost. He’d fuel his hate further by being vengeful and resenting them for living while Padme died. Then again… he does like to always hand out the chance for the people he cares about to join him and I guess Sabe was just a stand in for Padme in his mind (as it’s portrayed by showing his memory of their last conversation) so I can buy that to some degree.

Again, though, I didn’t like that Ochi had to be involved and always providing ill timed comic relief (he’s like Deadpool, he almost breaks the 4th wall/is goofy and obnoxious). I also don’t like that there was no resolution to the story and from what I see the Sabe story just got cast aside in the following comic.

I feel like this could’ve been much better done in the old (pre Disney) days… nowadays it always feels like a lacklustre attempt at a badass story that gets bogged down by too many threads of other stories and details and in the end never really goes anywhere. If they just focused in on the one main story more clearly it would be better.

3.25/5

[CzasoStrefa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ukazał się kolejny tom gwiezdnowojennej serii o Lordzie Vaderze. Zyskuje on niespodziewaną sojuszniczkę. Ale czy na pewno?
Co nas czeka i jak cała ta historia się zakończy?
Po rozprawieniu się ze Szkarłatnym Świtem, Vader prawie kończy swoje życie z ręki Sabé, dwórki Padmé Amidali. Dziewczyna jednak zna prawdziwą tożsamość Lorda Sithów i postanawia go ocalić w imię swoje przyjaciółki. Staje się sprzymierzeńcem Vadera, który mianuje ją Komandorem i swoją osobistą doradczynią. Nie wszyscy wierzą w to, że najwierniejsza przyboczna byłej królowej Naboo stoczyła się w mrok. Na pomoc rusza reszta dworu Padmé, czyli Dormé, Eirtaé, Sahé i Rabé. Przed nimi wielka próba. Czy pozostaną lojalne? A może dołączą do Imperium?

Sabé pomaga Vaderowi w zaprowadzeniu porządku i pozbyciu się jego wrogów. Uważam, że w tym zeszycie była to poboczna historia, gdyż komiks w większości skupiał się na samej postaci dziewczyny i jej siostrach. Lord Sithów często sprawdzał ich moralność i próbował skusić korzyściami.

Dwórki postanowiły jednak walczyć po stronie światła, wykazując się sprytem i współpracą. Ścieżka Sabé nadal nie była zbyt określona. Rozdarta między dwoma światami.

Vader mącił im w głowach, choć nie był tak okrutny, jak można byłoby się po nim spodziewać. A może był? Pragnął towarzystwa Sabé. Chciał sojuszników.

W komiksie pojawia się również Ochi z Bestoona, zabójca na zlecenie. Przyznam, iż podobały mi się sceny z nim. Pomógł dziewczynom, choć co prawda, pod przymusem. Chciał mieć je już po prostu z głowy i zejść im z oczu. Lubię Ochiego, mam nadzieję, że pojawi się w kolejnych częściach i nie zginie zbyt szybko.

A od technicznej strony?
Greg Pak, odpowiedzialny za scenariusz zaprezentował nam ciekawą historię. Powrót do przeszłości i przybliżenie nam dwórek Padmé to naprawdę niekonwencjonalny pomysł. Zawarł tu wiele akcji i dozę tajemniczości. Czytelnik podąża za postaciami i zastanawia się, co tak naprawdę nimi kieruje. Mimo to, komiks nie trzyma w napięciu, nie czuć grozy głównego bohatera. W ogóle Vader zszedł w tym zeszycie na drugi plan.

Więcej na CzasoStrefa

[Subham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great volume and seriously it gets better with every volume fees like and yeah on second thought this maybe my favorite star wars ongoing atm..

So this one deals with the return of other handmaidens who served with Sabe, and while she is on a mission to find out about Jul Tambor who wants the throne of Skako minor after what Vader did to their family in a previous story, the handmaidens try to act as Sabe and infiltrate the empire as her, but the sequence leading upto the Vader confrontation and him finding out its not Sabe is so interesting and shows the moral divide and also the ruthlessness of Vader.

Again it also has a part where you see them teaming up when Sabe is sort of kidnapped by Jul, and thus begins this dark partnership and what does it mean for them especially, and I love the conflicts of the various handmaidens and tehy can't believe how Sabe has changed, and also her debating moral conflicts and I love it, I still think there will be some romance between Vader and Sabe and the ending does sort of give the handmaidens an okay sorts of ending but for Sabe her arc continues and I love it.

The part where she meets the emperor in the beginning of the volume was great and I wonder if she will end up becoming the emperor's hand maybe like how Mara Jade was in the legends, but yeah interesting to speculate about that but clearly you can see how Pak is putting so much work into the handmaidens and making them so compelling.

Ochi here again gets some good humorous line and yeah he is the comedic relief for real. And then the force wave being unleashed in the end, I think ties to the hidden empire so thats a good connect and may lead to even more interesting stories in the next volumes.

[Ian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 6, set between ESB and RotJ.
As Sabe falls further under the sway of Darth Vader, she is tasked with assassinating Jul Tambor on Brentaal IV. However, her 'sisters', the former handmaidens of Padme Amidala, undertake to save her from her perilous mission and from the influence of the Sith Lord.

It's safe to say that I haven't particularly enjoyed Greg Pak's run on the Darth Vader series overall but he did introduce the interesting concept of having Vader face Padme's former handmaidens, who are surprisingly engaging characters in and of themselves but also come along with a heap of emotional baggage for Vader. I was therefore pleased to see them return in this book (in case the title didn't clue you in) and confront the idea that the foremost of their number may be serving the Sith willingly. I liked that we get to see a bit more of who each of the handmaidens are and how they differ from one another, as well as them serving as a mirror for Sabe's slide into the shadows.

The other thing I particularly liked here was the revelation that Vader has not been influenced by Sabe's trying to reach out to Anakin and was, instead, using it as another method of manipulating her. The suggestion in previous volumes that the mention of the name Anakin would make Vader go all touchy-feely felt so wrong, so it's nice to see it be a strategy rather than a lazy shortcut to emotional pathos.

This is undoubtedly my favourite book of Pak's run so far but it's somewhat telling that Vader is the least interesting character here. I applaud the work being doing to make the supporting characters worthwhile, but it feels like something's gone awry if Darth Vader's role in the narrative is the least engaging.

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

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sabé and the Handmaidens have been around and about in this series for a while now, and while I wouldn't say they're wearing out their welcome, I feel like we definitely need some more development rather than just having them go 'Vader no!' to every 'Vader yes!' Vader throws their way.

There's double crosses and ulterior motives all over the place here, for better or worse, and while we all know Vader's never going to do anything truly good, it's interesting seeing how Sabé justifies herself as her downward spiral continues.

The art's a little more mixed this time around, as series artist Rafaelle Ienco only handles two of the six issues, while Luke Ros and Ibraim Roberson sneak in for two each two. This is the longest gap Ienco's taken, I think, so I hope he'll be back and this isn't a precursor of things to come.

Not bad, but a little repetitive compared to what came before.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greg Pak's Darth Vader series continues its very intriguing run. After pairing up Sabe and Darth Vader in the previous volume, Return of the Handmaidens meets its title's expectations by offering up a whole slew of handmaidens.

Basically, Sabe sure seems like she's on Darth Vader's side now and the handmaidens are having none of it, determined to rescue her from Vader's cruel grasp (even if that means teaming up with him for a bit). Wat Tambor's vengeful son plays a tiny, forgettable role in the Handmaidens vs. Darth Vader battle royale. The push and pull is fascinating, if sometimes hard to follow. Ochi bounces around the outside, which is where I'd argue he belongs!

Return of the Handmaidens is exciting and engaging, and presents far more internal conflict than any other Star Wars series. Quality stuff.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

Common refrain, version unknown: I wish I liked these more. There’s some potential for fun here by bringing back Padme’s Handmaidens and playing them against Vader, but all the peripheral characters mostly fall by the wayside. Ochi and Vader’s attendant droid feel like afterthoughts and the Emperor seems comical (and hoo boy are his guards terrible at protecting their charge). The core plot involving Jul Tambov was pretty compelling until it was resolved mostly off page and with little change to the net status quo save for how committed Sabé is to Vader. The upside is these still read pretty breezy. Maybe my biggest frustration was the weird split coloring on the Handmaidens’ faces in a few issues, which seemed more an aesthetic mistake than a thematic choice.

[Andy Hickman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Star Wars: Darth Vader 6, Return Of The Handmaidens
Long story arc continues. ***
#28 - The Shadow in the Fire - "... Padmē said there was still GOOD in you."
#29 - Techno (Re)Union - "... you no longer KNOW her.. or WHAT she's CAPABLE of."
#30 - All Her Shadows - "Lord Vader.. if this is how we SAVE SABĒ.. we are at your service."
#31 - The Tambor Gambit - "I already killed that droid once, Jul Tambor. Do you think it can stop me now?"
#32 - Handmaiden No More? - "I used to ask myself.. what PADMĒ would do. Now.. I have NO IDEA."

[Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collecting issues 28-32 of the 2020 Darth Vader series, this sees Vader play games with Padme's former handmaidens. Sabe is already under his control and the others seek both to kill Vader for his hand in Padme's death and to rescue Sabe from his grasp. Add into this the pirate Jul Tambor, grandson os Seperatist leader Wat Tambor, and you have a fun Vader story. On top of the great story, we have excellent art. Definitely worth reading if you're looking for more Vader.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This arc feels more like it is exploring Sabé and her motivations rather than Darth Vader.
Throughout the Handmaiden arc it has felt like this, but with the remaining Handmaidens also playing a role in this story, it feels more emphasised.
Darth Vader acts more like a background character in his own story.

It would be cool to see this series adapted as a tv show. The chapters are short enough that they would make interesting episodes.

[Stephen Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent volume of the best Star Wars series at the moment. Sabé continues to walk a dangerous path, gambling not just her life but her very soul that there is enough good remaining in Darth Vader to redeem Anakin Skywalker. She also makes the brave and selfless decision to walk it alone; refusing to allow the other surviving handmaidens to follow in her footsteps.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

Super dope edition. Sabe has become such a cool character and the plotline of this qas very tight and lacked loose ends - unlike some of the others (ie. Suddenly dropping the whole crimson dawn plot)

I also liked this edition as it felt clone wars esque in the Tambon family and droid army being involved.

Aftwr reading this one i look forward to the 7th volume in the series