“The Root of Treason”
Creative Staff:
Story: Greg Pak
Art: Adam Gorham
Colors: Federico Blee
Letterer: VCs Joe Caramagna
What They Say:
WHO DARES COMMIT TREASON AGAINST THE EMPIRE?! Seemingly disparate threads from years of storytelling come together as DARTH VADER uncovers the master plan of the SCHISM IMPERIAL! The UMBARAN nurtures her conspirators! KITSTER and WALD return – along with the death machinery of GOVERNOR TAUNTAZA! But when a group of betrayers come together, how long will it be until they betray each other?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
With another event behind us and things still getting ever closer to the next film, the Darth Vader series moves into its next storyline while still dealing with the big-picture arc of the character. Greg Pak is doing what it needs to in working on Vader himself with a lot of it and hanging out with some interesting characters and new threats. With this issue, Adam Gorham steps in for the artwork this once again and delivers a pretty strong book overall as expected. His art style works well in carrying the tone and style so that it feels like a part of the big picture. Federico Blee handles the color design for their work here and that helps to bridge things together as well while also having some nicely stylish moments.
The deal with the Imperial Schism storyline is certainly interesting but I’m already quite wary of it because of bringing Vader into it. We’re getting so much stuff that we have to try and reconcile with how Vader is in Return of the Jedi that you have to wonder what twists and turns will be done to put him into that place. With Subadministrator Moore now bringing on more players to the Schism, as we see some of those that were processed a while ago from one of Vader’s previous escapades that includes the Dark Droids storyline, Moore is at least creative in placing them as assets into positions they can be drawn on later even if they’re put to hard labor first. It’s reminiscent of what we’ve seen in Andor both in terms of actions and style as some elements of that show make their way here. And it’s a decent way to do it and to add that cohesiveness to it all.
But the main focus is really on Tauntaza who Vader dealt with a dozen-plus issues ago that had the world-ending death machine. The Rebellion has been using Kitster and his team to develop it for their own purposes in this war and it’s finally completed but that’s when Vader is able to arrive and take it over, killing a few people but cementing his position within them. And it also comes in working with Moore to bring Tauntaza into service under him since she has useful skills and information. It’s amusing to watch how she’s beaten down mentally at the start by Moore and Vader delivers the physical and mental side of it as well, but she’s hardened enough to push back in the right ways that while they may not impress Vader it at least makes him take notice of how she’s changed from who she was.
In Summary:
While I do like the idea behind the Imperial Schism it feels weird to have Vader so directly involved in it and not be the one hunting it down. Even if this is all a big elaborate thing to have him take it and a slew of other things down from the inside that doesn’t feel like it would work because of his general approach. The master/apprentice aspect he has with Palpatine is fine but the book and franchise has taken it to some weird places over time and this is potentially one of them. There are some neat nods along the way that works well to deliver some good panels and sequences but I’m just keeping a step or two away from how this storyline is working so far. At least we got to see Kitster once again.
Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Marvel Comics
Release Date: February 14th, 2024
MSRP: $4.99
