Darth Vader (2020) #31
THE TAMBOR GAMBIT
Sabé has slipped further under the influence of the Empire. Seeking to liberate their companion or end her desecration of Padmé’s memory, Sabé’s fellow handmaidens launched a rescue operation.
The handmaiden Dormé infiltrated the ”Executor” to track down Sabé, but Darth Vader swiftly apprehended her. On Skako Minor, Sabé violated her orders to execute revolutionary Jul Tambor who then revealed that through the data banks of droids destroyed by the Sith, he has determined Darth Vader’s weakness.
Refusing to sacrifice one sister for another, the handmaidens rushed to Dormé’s rescue. They then threatened to activate the ”Executor”’s self- destruct protocol unless Darth Vader relinquished control over Sabé.
Now Jul Tambor has taken Sabé hostage, forcing the handmaidens to ally themselves with Darth Vader….
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Ibraim Roberson
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Colorist: Federico Blee
Cover artist: Rahzzah
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Release Date: February 8, 2023
In a tale of twists and turns, the 31st issue of Darth Vader yanks us round another tight curve as we open with a Mustafarian exchange between Anakin and Padmé, the same – but not quite – as the one they shared on the platform, before Obi-Wan appeared. Here, Padmé accepts Anakin’s offer to join him and rule the galaxy, before the familiar Force choke that sealed Padmé’s fate is unleashed. Here, we vividly see what Padmé described: the young Jedi Knight armouring up as Darth Vader, his humanity all but gone as the dark side submerges him. We step to the now, on Brentaal IV as Vader and the Handmaidens arrive to take on Jul Tambor. Dormé reminds Vader’s droid that they are at his service rather than in his service, a minor but important distinction that is unpicked by Sly Moore as she delves into the lives of each Handmaiden, finishing with Dormé who she believes wants to power to make change. Only Vader can give them what they need, but as Tambor attacks and they plan a unified fighting front, Vader uses the Force to drop them into the battlefield, aiming to see which will survice, much like his Emperor brutally trains his own red guards.
After a smoggy, brief fight they prevail, angered at Vader’s tactics as we cut briefly to Jul Tambor and Sabé as she urges him to back away from fighting Vader, just as Tambor reminds her that it’s her own Handmaiden sisters who will be the ones to die. Vader leaps aboard a speeder bike and slashes into the fray, the Handmaidens following as they are pinned by enemy droid fire, Rabé hit and injured as they realise that they are the bait, allowing Vader the opportunity to speed in and rescue Sabé. However, Tambor is ready for the dark lord, and as the Handmaidens catch up, Tambor effects an escape, leaving the Handmaidens with Vader.
As the Handmaidens pleaed with Sabé to leave with them, Vader uses the Force to choke and lift them high against the walls and we end with Sabé pondering a terrible choice – join Vader to schieve her goals, or stay with her sisters. Once again, Darth Vader delivers a complex, beautifully crafted, authentic portrayal of the Emperor’s apprentice as we traverse the gap to Return of the Jedi, and as a reader and long-time reviewer of Vader comics, this current run by Greg Pak – especially complimented by stunning art by Ibraim Roberson – is a monthly treat.
