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Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #20 (Darth Vader (2017) (Single Issues) #20)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: August 30, 2018
Book Summary: “FORTRESS VADER,” PART TWO! A thief faces the consequences for their crime. EMPEROR PALPATINE rewards DARTH VADER with three gifts...A thing, a choice and a voice.
Book Review: In this issue, Vader is on a rampage and two of his Inquistors are the targets!

At the start of this issue, we find Vader entering into a room where two of his Inquistors are sitting. His saber is drawn and ready for the strike. The two Inquistors seemed stunned to see him preparing to attack them, even the seemingly Grand Inquistors is also concerned, inquiring if this is merely a test but Vader gives no answer and sends down his lightsaber

...only to have it halted against another saber. This causes Vader to find the situation interesting and realizing that there is much more to the pair than original thought. Yet Vader believes that such attachment is a mere weakness and believes that the death of Eeth Koth should have been a lesson but apparently it didn't seem to get through the both of them

As the two flee, the Grand Inquistor once again asks if they are needed and Vader tells them they are not before heads out after them.

During this time, the two Inquistors are on the run and we find that there is an attachment between the two but yet neither of them have any idea why Vader is attacking them.

Vader sets on a search for them and when they attack, his space car falls out of the sky right onto a couple below. It is at this point the pair of Inquistors are found and Vader kills them both with no time for a fight.

Of course, all of this has angered the Emperor and Vader is summoned for questioning. This is where we learn that Eeth Koth's wife and child were allowed to run but the child was captured once again because the two had been observed in allowing the two to be free.

This explanation still does not satisfy the Emperor. After all his city has been destroyed and a senator important to his plans had been killed in the malay. Because of this the Inquistors are to be moved. Vader reminds his Master that they are his but the Emperor believes moving them is for the best. Because Vader completed the mission given to him and killed Eeth Koth, the Emperor has a reward for Vader. As they enter into a hanger, the Emperor shows him his reward - a ship once belonging to Vader's late wife, Padme. The Emperor tells Vader that his next mission is to head to Alderaan and remind Bail Organa that the Empire does not take rebellion so well but Vader tells him....that as far as Vader is concerned for the moment, the Jedi are extinct. For now, Vader wants a planet for himself. He tells the Emperor he wants Mustafar.


This series seems to get better and better with each issue. I liked the idea that toward the end of the issue, there was a bit of rebellion inside of Vader. I am not sure if that rebellion came from being handed Padme's ship but I would have to believe it did in some form or another. I don't doubt there is still some part of Vader that aches for Padme and what could have been if things had been different. I would think that this gift would be like a slap in the face to Vader and for right now I don't see him thinking straight. All he would want is to be given a place where he could hone his anger and perhaps even do things behind the back of the Emperor? I mean Vader has done this before but I mean it could be a possibility.

I am really enjoy this series. I have enjoyed that we have gotten a chance to see exactly what Vader has been doing since becoming "more machine than man." Part of me believes that despite all of Vader's protests and deeds there still is some part of him that remains human. A part of me believes that he is hiding it and trying to keep others from seeing it. I know in past issues there is the belief that he had killed all that off but I honestly don't believe all of it is gone.

This series continues to be great. Vader is a complex character and Soule every part of the complexity with each issue.

Even if you are not a Star Wars fan, this series is still an ideal pick-up.