A bonus tale of my favorite murder droids? Worth the extra $1!
Creative Staff:
Story: Kieron Gillen
Art: Salvador Larroca
Colorist: Edgar Delgado
What They Say:
New Story Arc! “END OF GAMES” begins this issue! Inspector Thanoth returns with some startling information. Vader may have passed his master’s tests…but will his own schemes prove his undoing? PLUS: A bonus tale of Triple-Zero and Beetee!
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Color me crazy but I like it when my comic books actually take some time to read. No, I’m not looking for a novel in comic form, but I am looking for some engaging material. Sometimes your characters do just need to stand there and talk, to explore things, without them running at the same time or making quips as they escape danger. A book where this is even more necessary is one called Darth Vader. As much of a badass as he is, he’s generally not your adventure/action character leaping to and fro. He works by fear and intimidation and largely putting you into checkmate before you even realize it. But even he has one above him and that means there are times when he has to just be quiet. And that can be delightful.
This issue starts the arc that essentially sends him after Cylo so that he can be taken down for what he’s done. It’s been an interesting series that we’ve had so far in watching Vader navigate the view that the Emperor is looking to supplant him with Cylo and his creations all while building his own private army through Aphra and the droid factory. That he dispatched of Cylo’s creations the last time around was no surprise but it has now brought him firmly back into the Emperor’s grasp. And it’s here, though copious pages of dialogue, that we get Palpatine almost going on a rant of praise about himself with what he’s accomplished over the decades, recounting a piece of Sith history and why things work as they are – and how it was all to put him on top.
Yes, that’s Palpy.
But it serves the point that he’s constantly working schemes and has achieved what the Sith have never been able to. Watching the story from the bad guys side always has its interesting elements and Vader has worked them very well, making him compelling as a villain but making sure you aren’t fully sympathetic – though you can be based on the prequels history and Clone Wars material. The back and forth between the two here is delightful because even Vader knows that if he had failed, well, the speech would be tweaked and given to Cylo instead. But as we learn, Cylo overstepped some time ago and has proven ineffective, which means it’s elimination time .And that should be delicious.
Vader also has a little bit of closure elsewhere in this installment as he goes to the secret meeting location to talk with Thanoth, who claims to know where Aphra is. The dialogue between the two, or rather from Thanoth, is really interesting because it’s made clear he’s a True Believer. Not in the Emperor, not in the Force, but in the Empire. It really makes me wonder who he was before all of it during the end days of the Republic. His desire is not to foil Vader at this stage but rather give him what he needs to be the true guiding hand of the Empire, to overthrow the Emperor and truly do things right. The loss of the Death Star certainly would give cause for many to question the Emperor and this is an intriguing angle to work from.
This book is also a $1 more than usual because it has an extended bonus story that plays off the events from Vader and Thanoth. While Vader has to go deal with Cylo he opts to send Triple-Zero and Betee to go get Aphra – dead or alive. The two have to go get outfitted for the job, and pick up some supplies from the hilariously dangerous group Triple-Zero has put together, and that leads to a mechanic of Aphra’s that will give them what they need. What it turns into is a bit of exposition about the “True History” of the two droids through the mechanic as he realizes what they are and looks not only for a way to survive this but gain advantage. I really like the fleshing out of their backstory and just the way Triple-Zero interacts with people because the voice of his that I hear is becoming really quite strong and distinct.
In Summary:
Big props for Kieron Gillen here in crafting a solid story that’s largely dialogue but also with some great moments of menace. And for bringing the Executor into play, showing us how it will come into Vader’s hands. But truly, huge props to Salvador Larroca for bringing these scripts to life. His work here is beyond words as it feels like stepping into the screen more often than not. This book feels like a hugely polished finalized storyboard for how to make an awesome Vader trilogy of films and it wouldn’t work without Larroca’s work. This issue also has Mike Norton on board for the backup story and he fits so well with the design that Larroca has been working with that I hope he steps in as a guest artist from time to time to give Larroca the breathing room he needs – because this is a team I don’t want to see burn out and fall away. Fantastic stuff once again.
Grade: A-
Age Rating: 12+
Released By: Marvel Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: May 11th, 2016
MSRP: $4.99
