A Reader's Guide to Books and Reviews

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #8 (Darth Vader (2017-) #8)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: November 21, 2017 to November 22, 2017
Book Summary: LEGACY'S END CONTINUES! Vader and the Inquisitorius set their sights on one of the most dangerous Jedi remaining alive...and it's not who you'd expect.
Book Review: Real Rating: 4.9

This issue opens up with Vader choking one of the Imperial officers in front of the Emperor. Exactly what the officer has done to warrant such a punishment is never really told but whatever it was, it must have been severe enough to be brought before the Emperor and Vader. The Emperor, on the other hand, decides that enough punishment has been dealt and forces Vader to halt the force-choke. This does not seem to forbode well for Vader that he causes his anger to rise. This leads us to know that this restaint placed by the Emperor does not last forever because there are two other Imperial Officers that end up on the far end of Vader's rage later on and even they are not as lucky as this Colonel.

As for the Jedi Master Archivist Jocasta Nu, she arrives on Coruscant for a way into the Jedi Temple. When she finally manages to find a way in, she is angered when she sees the Grand Inquistor leisurely leaning back in his seat perusing the books at his disposal. Of course, this angers Jocasta Nu but she cannot engage with him just yet. She has a mission that needs to be completed and only once it is done, then will she be able to remove the scum from the library. As she moves deeper into the library and into an area where a droid keeper awaits her, she lifts up a mysterious disk to show she has come to use it (?).

A mysterious wreckage has been found by members of the Imperial guards. A piece from the wreckage appears to show a Jedi symbol. Of course, this piece is what brings Vader from his meditation and to where the Imperial Investigator is, whom appears to be not happy whatsoever by his presence. In fact, he tells Vader that he is "only there as an observer" and nothing more. This only causes Vader to become angry and reply, "No you are."

The important disk shows where every force-sensitive child is located. She knows that if the Sith were to get ahold of it, then any chance of defeating them would be for naught. Since it seems to be not discovered at this moment, then it would appear safe for the time being. Once it is safe, she decides now is the time to engage the Grand Inquistor in the library.

Have I mention how much I love this series? No, then know I do. This has been a great series giving us look into what Vader was doing between Episodes 3 and 4 and during Rebel.

In this issue, there is a lesson Vader is learn. He should have some restaint in his rage but we know that even with the Emperor's leash upon it, there will be times that hold will be loosened to the point that Vader's rage will go unrestraint. Unfortunately there will be people who will feel this rage to come. So far we know of only two to three people who have come across it but I am certain as we go into this series, there will be more to come.

As for Jocasta Nu, I am curious as to how to she has managed to remain under the radar after all this time. I would have suspected she would have been the first to be found especially since she has knowledge of the Orders' ongoings. Apparently this has not been the case. Now what lies in her fate remains to be seen until the next issues to come. Still I would love to know what she has been doing prior to this.

I am looking forward to seeing the issue what is to come.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #6 (Darth Vader (2017-) #6)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.95/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: October 13, 2017
Book Summary: Darth Vader…meet THE INQUISITORIUS!
Book Review: Real Rating: 4.95

This issue pretty much picks up where the last issue left off. Vader has gotten the kyber crystal and corrupted it to make his own Sith lightsaber. Currently he is recuperating in his healing tank while Palpatine stands outside admiring the new lightsaber that he has created. Of course, Vader is less than pleased by this and even more when Palpatine suggests that he send Vader's suit to be repaired.

The issue changes to an intruder in the Jedi Temple's library. Palpatine lets Vader know of this and sends him out to deal with it. At first, the intruder believes himself to be alone with all these books until he finds himself face-to-face with a lightsaber wielding Vader. Sabers clash against each other as the two begin a fight. Of course, the intruder believes himself to have the upperhand until Vader proves himself to be more powerful than the intruder. Just before the two decide to kill each other, Palpatine appears to halt the fighting and introduces Vader to the new Grand Inquistor.

This issue was pretty interesting as it sets up the storyline for the Rebel series. Here Vader meets Palpatine's group of Grand Inquistors. He has already had a taste of a fight with one of them and the rest will simply be waiting in the wings for their turns. If you have already seen the Rebel series, then you know what has happened to most of them but this is the story we haven't seen as the series focuses on a group of rebels but here, here we get to see the interaction between Vader and the Inquistors. Here we will see how he will be interacting with him and his very thoughts on Palpatine bringing them in. Plus we will also get to his part in all of this inbetween.

Vader has always been a fascinating and complex character. This will only prove to add to this complexity of what even more to what is Darth Vader. Since we never see him really in the series itself (only bits and pieces and only as a plot turning device). Here we will get to see more of Vader during this time and exactly what he does inbetween. I am hoping to see the issues where he was added to the series.

I am really excited to see how this series continues to pan out.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #3
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Olivier Coipel (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.75/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: Last read July 12, 2017
Book Summary: Vader sets his sights on a Jedi who's avoided Order 66…a Jedi Master who's long lived in seclusion…a Jedi more powerful than any Vader has faced before…
Book Review: Real Rating: 4.75

This issue picks up where the last one left off.

Vader arrives upon The Mid-Rim. The Moon of Al'doleem. Here he knows that the Jedi that has avoided Order 66 resides. When Vader encounters him, he tries to force-choke him but the Jedi is much more stronger than he and manages to push him away. The two of them go to war against each other with Vader coming out much more worse for wear than the Jedi.

This issue felt a bit short. Maybe it was due to the fighting action than anything. After all, Vader came seeking to destroy but he also knew it was not entirely going to be easy. This Jedi was much more stronger than he and the Jedi was willing to prove this.

Yet this issue delivered wonderfully. I enjoyed watching Vader get thrashed by the Jedi. It proved that Vader is not entirely as powerful as he wants to be yet. This could change in the next issue but we will definitely have to see.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #1
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Jim Cheung (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: June 7, 2017 to June 8, 2017
Book Summary: The most fearsome villain of all time returns with an all-new series! When Anakin Skywalker fell, both to the pull of the dark side and to the blade of Obi-Wan Kenobi, he rose back up, more machine than man. Having lost everything that was once dear to him, the former chosen one must take his first steps into a darker world…as Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith!
Book Review: Real Rating: 4.5

This book follows Anakin Skywalker shortly after rising from his mortal ashes to become Palpatine's apprentice, Darth Vader. Palpatine has told Vader that he is the cause of Padme's death, sending Vader into a rage and causing everything around him to be destroyed. This angers Palpatine because he is thrown back by Vader's "force" fury and punishes him.

Once Palpatine sees that his punishment has worked, he takes Vader to show him that the Jedi are finished and the lightsabers are being destroyed. Vader seems to be a bit upset by this. He had some hope to have one of the sabers even Yoda's but Palpatine has other ideas. He takes Vader on a trip and instructs him to seek out a Jedi and take their kyber crystal so that it may be corrupted to fit Vader's needs as part of his new lightsaber.

I don't want to go further because it would spoil the ending but I will say I was impressed with this story. This takes us to an early part of Vader's early beginnings and gives us a glimpse of the terror he will eventually unleash upon the galactic empire and anyone who opposes Palpatine's rule.

This one really had no action. It only showed you the moments from his rebirth to the searching of a new kyber crystal for his lightsaber. This issue was only setting up the beginning and I quite looking forward to seeing exactly how this story pans out and expands Vader's canonical history within the Star Wars universe.

Also I enjoyed the little side story. The humor is a bit dark but well worth the read.