– Spoiler Review –
After the last few issues haven’t quite caught my interest, Darth Vader #20 (Vol. 3) brings a familiar yet exciting spark to Vader’s search for the Crimson Dawn amongst their mist, giving me some hope for the future of the series.
When Sabé was teased to return in Darth Vader #18 (Vol. 3), it felt like an olive branch for the series, as it had begun to lose me during the War of the Bounty Hunters crossover, as she and the handmaidens’ part in the opening arc is what made me eager for another Vader series in the first place. She’s the focus for a good portion of the issue and her chaotic injection breathes new life to the story and the characters. Sabé and the handmaidens originally wanted to kill Vader since they believed he killed Padme AND Anakin Skywalker, and while from a certain point of view they weren’t wrong, their plans crashed around them on Polis Massa. It’s still unclear if it’s just Sabé returning this time alongside Crimson Dawn, but at this point it doesn’t matter much as her returning brings some fun chaos that puts her and Vader on the collision course. The list of Dawn operatives Vader, Valance, Ochi, and their ragtag team collected last issue turns out to be a plant by Sabé, though who these targets are to her remains a mystery for now, but Vader, despite knowing the list was a plant, follows to the letter, slicing and dicing up those on the list, Emperor Palpatine looking on with a shrug over losing advisors and the like. In the beginning of the issue, we find out she revived ZED-7, another highlight of the opening arc I’m delighted to have back, and their conversations lead Sabé to learn Anakin and Padmé had a child together, Luke. She’s rather shocked by the revelation, despite knowing the feelings between the two from her time with her Queen, as it also shakes up her and the handmaidens’ knowledge regarding Padmé’s actual death not technically being by Vader’s hands. As much as she wanted to kill him, now Sabé sees an opportunity to potentially use him, despite ZED’s hilarious warning it’s a bad idea, and while we don’t know her objective with using Vader, it’s an intriguing enough concept I’m ready to see where it goes next. For now, it starts with Sabé blackmailing Ochi and Sly Moore, as I guess this series isn’t done with her after all either, to do her bidding for she’ll reveal them as Dawn spies.
There’s some good nervous energy to Ochi this issue, as he knows he’s dodging a bullet since he’s not on the list but wants to know who clearly knows who the Dawn spies are, and I’ll be curious how he juggles a third allegiance as Sabé puts him under her yoke next. Sly’s return after her little insurrection against Vader was a surprise, as there was a finality to her last appearance, but the revelation she might be a Dawn spy as well certainly adds a new wrinkle worth exploring. Valance and the Revengers take a backseat this issue, and I’m not even totally sure Valance was in it as he’s drawn a little differently this issue, and while the Revengers have a brief panel or two to shine, they continue to feel surface deep/I’m not connecting with them yet. As for Vader, he’s so dead-set on bringing order, destroying chaos, that I wonder if he’s realizing he’s causing chaos instead, so I’ll be interested if he can find the nuance or if it’ll be more generic beheadings again.
Raffaele Ienco returns to the series after a couple issue break, with Alex Sinclair as colorist and Joe Caramagna on lettering. Ienco’s style has been what’s most ingrained in my mind when it comes to writer Greg Pak’s run so far, as he’s drawn 16 issues so far, so it was nice to have his work back, but those who have stepped have both brought their own style but tried to mimic his to some extent, keeping it largely consistent in his absence. Ienco draws a certain type of demented joy to ZED’s movements and actions, the exaggerations help his humorous lines land more often than not. Even though Sabé’s wearing a helmet, her surprise is palpable when she learns Anakin and Padmé had a child together, the way Ienco expresses her eyes and Sinclair gives enough light to her face, Caramagna (a Star Wars comics lettering stalwart since 2015) uses tons of bolds to sell her distress and surprise at the news as well. I enjoyed Palpatine’s simple laugh after Vader cuts through some of his advisors in the throne room, the lettering signifying its short, malicious burst only he could deliver, while his slight glee at the scene before him was unsettling, though more unsettling was his form, disappearing into the shadows, doubting Vader’s really going to fulfill his promise of bringing order to the Empire, to his Master.
Here are a few other things:
- While nothing from the Vader series managed to make my Top 5 Moments for 2021 in my annual review, Sabé’s return and what she all gets up to could hold the potential for something worthy of the list!
Darth Vader #20 (Vol. 3) brings back some of the best from early in the series, potentially revitalizing it in the process.
+ Sabé’s return and all its potential
+ Ienco’s return!
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.
DARTH VADER (VOL. 3)
Dark Heart of the Sith: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 / Arc Review — Into the Fire: #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 | #11 / Arc Review — War of the Bounty Hunters: #12 | #13 | #14 | #15 | #16 | #17 — Red Revenge: #18 | #19