Darth Vader (2020) #29
TECHNO (RE)UNION
After their failed mission to bring Governor Tauntaza, a corrupt operative of Crimson Dawn, to justice, Darth Vader and Sabé, the former handmaiden of Padmé Amidala, traveled to Coruscant for an auidence with the Emperor.
The Emperor tested Sabé, deeming her worthy to serve as a commander for Darth Vader. The Emperor them ordered Darth Vader to quell an uprising on Skako Minor led by Jul Tambor. Darth Vader sent Sabé to assassinate Jul Tambor alone as yet another test of her conviction.
On Naboo, Sabé’s fellow handmaidens apprehended the assassin Ochi of Bestoon. The group interrogated Ochi, seeking to liberate their companion from the Empire’s grasp or put an end to her desecration of Padmé’s memory….
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Luke Ross
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Colorist: Federico Blee
Cover artist: Rahzzah
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Release Date: 30th November 2022
The tortured mind of Anakin Skywalker is a place very familiar to readers of Star Wars comics and books, especially since we saw the literal transition between Skywalker and Vader in Revenge of the Sith in 2005. For the last 17 years we’ve dipped into that maelstrom of emotions, and it’s in that arena we open issue 29 of Greg Pak’s run on Darth Vader as he remembers a key moment from Episode 3, as Anakin says the unforgettable line “If you’re not with me, then you’re my enemy,” to which Kenobi replies “Only Sith deal in absolutes.” Jumping to the present as Vader sits in his meditation chamber, he reiterates that statement, warning the galaxy that yes, he is indeed a Sith as we swing to a shuttle heading into a docking bay as Sabé and Ochi of Bestoon disembark, chiding a laxidaisical Stormtrooper for his sloppiness and walking into the Executor where we learn that this isn’t Sabé but Dormé, looking for her fellow Handmaiden and keen to know what’s happened to her old friend. Ochi is alert – should Dormé be discovered, the game would be up, but it seems Ochi – loyal and wary of Vaders power but keen to help Sabé – is onside, but not blind to the reality of the situation. She can’t believe that not only has Sabé has been serving him, but he in turn has been doling out executions on information given by her.
As the two troopers from the docking bay arrive and reveal themselves to be her loyal soldiers, they admit to discussing her (Sabé’s) whereabouts – Brentaal, sent there on vader’s instruction to assassinate Jul Tambor, grandson of the Skakoan leader of the Techno Union, Wat Tambor, where we switch Handmaidens to Sabé as she meets with Tambor, other assassinations attempts to navigate.
Back on the Executor Dormé is insistent on seeing proof of Sabé’s actions in the service of Vader, which Ochi provides until he is interrupted by Admiral Piett who calls to tell him Vader demands Sabé come to him. Back on Brentaal, Tambor learns that – as he suspected – Sabe is working for Vader, and admits to hoping he could swing her to the other side. He only wants to take back Skako Minor, as well as taking down Vader who he blames for the plight of his world. Sabé warns him how unlikely that is as we hop back to the Executor and Vader, lightsaber ignited and the two Stormtroopers kneeling on the floor. He leaves a blaster on the side, setting up a skirmish that sees Dormé grab the blaster and incapacitate – but not kill – both troopers. Vader knows she isn’t Sabé, and as Dormé is lifted by the Force she claims Sabé wouldn’t have killed them either and we end as Vader claims ‘You no longer know her, or what she’s capable of‘ as we end with Sabé on Brentaal standing over the immobile body of Jul Tambor, his body smoking like the blaster in her hand….
With the masterful artwork of Luke Ross perfectly complimenting a fine tale by Greg Pak (and a cover by Rahzzah that ranks among the most gorgeous ever created for a Star Wars comic, just superb), this is just the kind of issue that underlines the complexity of Vader and the baggage he carries within. The face of Padmé constantly in view (we have to imagine that were The Phantom Menace made in 2022, Natalie Portman would have likely played all of her own Handmaidens) Vader has to balance his Sith persona with the ghosts of his own past. That Pak does this with such skill and flair really is a treat – and a treat that should be shouted about a lot louder – month on month, and issue 29 is no exception.
