Darth Vader (2020) #35
TARGET APHRA
After Darth Vader convinced Sabé to fully commit to the battle against the insurgent Jul Tambor, Sabé’s fellow handmaidens tried to free her from the Dark Lord’s control. But she returned to Vader, whom only she knows was once Anakin Skywalker.
Following a deep introspection, Sabé realized she could not give in to hate and could never truly join Vader. Vader used his remaining control of the Force to throw Sabé far out to sea.
But Vader has a new challenge—the opening of the mysterious Fermata Cage has
rendered him unable to fully control his use of the Force….
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Raffaele Ienco
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Colorist: Federico Blee
Cover artist: Leinil Francis Yu
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Release Date: June 14, 2023
Let me open this review of Darth Vader #35 by stating immediately that this is a don’t miss, killer issue of the title, one of Greg Pak’s most engrossing stories replete with some beautiful artwork by Raffaele Ienco and Federico Blee and for fans of Vader and Doctor Aphra and absolutely essential read. Why? Check out the opening page as Admiral Piett reports to the Emperor that Vader tore a significant hole in the hull of the Executor, which leads to Palpatine explaining to Sly Moore the power of the very real Fermata Cage and how its opening caused a Force wave to sweep across the galaxy, one that has not only been affecting Moore but also Luke Skywalker in the main Star Wars title and Vader here in his own series. The Emperor orders Mas Amedda to find Vader – find, not rescue, and as he laughs his way off the page we jump to the world of Sesid, somewhere on the Outer Rim where Doctor Aphra is engaged in a successful game of chance that includes in the players around the table Ochi of Bestoon. About to scoop up her winnings, Aphra’s wrist comm bleeps and shocked she bolts for the door, and we quickly learn why – Lord Vader is waiting outside, and a firm shoulder barge from Ochi has her down and seeing stars, literally. Ochi suggests she beg for her life, and she reminds Vader of her past usefulness until she stops talking to realise she’s still alive. Vader needs her, and is about to explain when suddenly bounty hunters paid by the Empire arrive to attack them. Vader uses the Force, but without any of his usual finesse, shattering the concourse they’re standing on and hurling them into the nearby ocean.
Aphra puts the pieces together; Vader’s control of the Force is messed up, and while she has no option to run with Vader so near she can do what she always does and try to turn it to her advantage. Asking the dark lord what she can do for him, he reminds her of when he trapped her in a kyberite confessional to eclipse his powers, and enquires what in the galaxy also could do such a thing.
Ringo Vinda – their shuttle flies low over the ground as Ochi questions Aphra’s co-ordinates as she asks what Vader is doing in the main hold of the ship. He’s meditating, something he appears to be doing a lot lately, and following her natursal inquisitiveness she steps too close, walking into his visions which include a younger Luke Skywalker and Padme, which makes Aphra recoil and step back in confusion. They arrive at their destination, the headquarters of Separatist Kyber expert Dr. Istan Zaly, and Ochi is unceremoniously hurled into the deep entrance shaft by the power flowing from Vaders staff. He bounces down the shaft to the ground, electrocuted and fired at with blasters and spikes dipped in rock-wart venom but survives as Vader and Aphra descend. Her knowledge of galactic archaeology is admirable and she uses that skill to lead them to the Zaly Shield made out of kyberite, the material kyber grows in. Explaining how kyperbite is like ‘the other side of a magnet‘ with the potential to amplify the Force powers of its bearer, she lifts the heavy shield and gives it to Vader. He lifts the shield to aim it at Aphra, but nothing happens so he swings round to aim at Ochi and a fierce blast of energy is unleashed, hurling him back into the wall.
Aphra not only explains how she has uploaded a safeguard so the shield can’t be used on her, but also reiterates her willingness to help Vader; despite their patchy history, he needs her knowledge, and as we see a vision through his eyes of Aphra telling him that one day he’ll do good and Padme passing after the birth of Luke and Leia he refocuses on Aphra….just as a veritable army of droids appear, their next problem to solve.
As stated at the top of the review, a belter of an issue and one that incoming readers could use as a jumping on point to both consume as they move forward into Dark Droids and Return of the Jedi and also as an anchor point to move back and check out prior issues that focus on the Vader/Aphra relationship. Greg Pak has found just the right tone for Aphra here, smart and sassy and displaying her knowledge of the galaxy’s oddities and antiquities while Ienco draws what may be my favourite version of Aphra so far (although I admit I’d like to see her in different attire occassionally). Really great storytelling across the creative board and one to recommend for all manner of reasons.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Pak, Greg (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 23 Pages - 07/12/2023 (Publication Date) - Marvel (Publisher)
