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Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol 1: Vader
Star Wars: Darth Vader, Vol 1: Vader
Kieron Gillen, Salvador Larocca (art) | 2015 | Comics & Graphic Novels, Science Fiction/Fantasy
4
8.4 (9 Ratings)
Book Rating
The second of the two canon Marvel Star Wars comics I've read recently, this (I felt) is also somewhat unfortunately less impressive than the first ([b: Star Wars, Vol 1: Skywalker Strikes|24718416|Star Wars, Vol. 1 Skywalker Strikes|Jason Aaron|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1433222876s/24718416.jpg|44342503]).

This time around, we're focusing on the titular 'bad guy' of the franchise, showing how he (begins) to move from being (virtually) a sidekick in 'A New Hope' to being the main menace in 'The Empire Strikes Back', and on how he discovers the identity of Luke Skywalker. As a large part of this is concurrent with that other story, we also get the occasional duplicate panel in this as in the earlier entry.

As before, this starts with the opening crawl before we get a panel shot of space, with (again) - all we're lacking is the ominous tones of the Imperial March playing out!
  
Star Wars: Vader Down
Star Wars: Vader Down
Kieron Gillen, Mike Deodato, Jason Aaron, Salvador Larroca, Mark Brooks (art) | 2016 | Comics & Graphic Novels, Film & TV, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
7.8 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
The first cross-over event since Marvel took over the Star Wars franchise, this ties together both the 'core' Star Wars comics, alongside the seperate Vader side-issues, and sees Vader being froced to crash land on a nearby planet when he comes out of hyperspace into the middle of a rebel fleet while searchign for Luke Skywalker (who, remember, does not yet know his relation to Vader as this is set between 'A New Hope' and 'The Empire Strike Back').

A fleet that he proceeds to decimate single-handedly, until Skywalker deliberately crashes his X-Wing into Vader's own TIE.

After crash-landing, the rebels on that planet - led by Princess Leia - then throw everything they have at the Dark Lord of the Sith: once again, and in some dramatic art, Vader is again easily able to defeat everything they send against him.

Meanwhile, Han Solo and Chewie are also on the search for the crashed Luke, in a race both against time and against Dr Aphra, who wants to capture Luke herself for Vader so she can prove she didn't lead him into a trap.

I found this a quick and rather-enjoyable read which (finally) goes to show just why Vader was feared so much by the Rebel Alliance!