Darth Vader – Black, White & Red #2
STAR WARS
DARTH VADER
BLACK, WHITE & RED
When Anakin Skywalker turned to the dark side, he became Darth Vader, one of the most powerful Sith of all time.
In his service to the evil Galactic Empire, he has left a trail of destruction and terror, striking fear into the hearts of millions across the galaxy….
Writers: Jason Aaron, David Pepose, Victoria Ying
Penciller: Leonard Kirk, Alessandro Vitti, Marika Cresta
Inker: Leonard Kirk
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Colorist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Cover artist: Adam Kubert
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Publication date: May 24, 2023
We kick off and return to last issues opening story Hard Shutdown, as Darth Vader finds himself in arguably the trickiest and most physically dangerous predicament we’ve ever seen him in, chained to a table as the son of the man who designed many of his own cybernetic systems is about to carve him up for sale to the highest bidder. However, this is Darth Vader – the threat looms for only a moment as the scientist about to start chopping suddenly loses control and begins slicing into his own people, and they run out of the room, only half of them managing to escape before the doors seal shut. Vader is using the Force, and Cyn’s plans are turned against him as they prepare to shut Vader down for the final time….
We quickly turn to the second story of this second issue The Endless Mercy as Vader and the 501st forcibly enter a Phial-Class Heavy Transport, there to learn more about a secret bioweapon that’s being designed. As Vaders troops scour the ship for clues, a huge creature attacks one of the troopers, and quickly they regroup as Vader ignites his blade, but the creatures are too strong and too many and as Vader’s helmet is bashed off his head he is soon caught up in a web with his troopers. Vader manages to escape, fighting until he is brought to his knees and here he learns the truth – the queen of these creatures is Doctor Sera Lemare, the woman who was leading the bioresearch. Lemare explains how her research turned her crew into these creatures, how she then became queen to control this new hive mind and as she believes Vader is its newest member, he uses the dark side to fight his way out, sending the vessel screaming into the ground to destroy her and her work and walking from the flames victorious.
The third and final chapter Power is a fascinating snapshot of the galaxy and the power that rules it from the point of view of a kid in the Outer Rim. With no frame of reference to measure Vader against, we see young Niko, a keen young reader who’s selling water from his rickshaw when he stumbles onto the turf of a streetgang who are less than impressed to see him. Telling Niko that the only thing that counts in the Outer Rim is power they work him over, damaging the vehicle and his droid, but undeterred he carries on, back home where he finds his homestead on fire and his mother panicking. There he sees Noegaud, the leader of the gang who appears to have ignited the flames just as laser blasts erupt and the Empire arrive. Niko watches, then sees Darth Vader on the hunt for a rebel who we realise is Noegaud, and Niko looks in shock….then smiles as Vader walks away.
An interesting second issue, with a selection of tales that may well be canon but very much feel more like Star Wars Visions stories. Interesting, enjoyable, with great artwork and some solid situations, this is worth a read but so far not an essential read.
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