A Reader's Guide to Books and Reviews

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #13 (Darth Vader (2017-) (Single Issues) #13)
Author: Charles Soule (Illustrator), Giuseppe Camuncoli
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: March 18, 2018
Book Summary: As the Empire’s grip tightens, the stirrings of Rebellion begin in the Mon Cala system. Order must be maintained…a job which falls to Vader, his inquisitors…and a man named Wilhuff Tarkin!
Book Review: This issue opens up three years later after our last issue.

In the beginning, we find Vader relieving the epic fight between himself and that of Obi-Wan on Mustafar.



The memory of this fight, however, is different and has a far different outcome than the one that happened between Anakin Skywalker and his mentor and friend, Obi-Wan.



In this fight, Anakin isn't Anakin anymore. He has been replaced by the imposing figure of Vader and is much more powerful than he was. In Vader's mindset, he still feels the sting of his Ob-Wan's betrayal of leaving him at the base of a lava pit. Although there is no real mention of what happens in this version to Padme. He is interrupted in these thoughts but the summoning of the Emperor.

His arrival at the Emperor's side brings forth news that the Emperor wants Mon Cala to be dealt with. The Emperor believes that there is Jedi present among the residents of the planet and he wants that Jedi to be swiftly dealt with as well as the seeming uprising of the planetary residents. Vader, of course, is always willing to do whatever his master wishes and he heads off to Mon Cala with most of the Inquistors in tow.

Upon his arrival, we find that there is a dispute between Lee-Char and Governor Tarkin over the planet's resources being bought by the Empire. The King, Lee-Char, believes that the meager royaltys they receive are not adequate when they could easily find others who would be willing to pay a hefty price. Unfortunately it seems that the talks have broken down and this doesn't seem to be what Tarkin really wants to hear.

Speaking of Tarkin, we do get to see him show up finally. He is displeased by the notion that the talks have broken down and even more displeased when a ship has arrived from the Emperor. He knows that this convoy will not take any no for an answer.

Vader's arrival on the planet is met by the troops as well, whom question why he is there. Vader, of course, is less than pleased by the question and explains here is here to find an "enemy of the Empire." Commander Ackbar tells him that there are no enemies here, only a peace-loving species whom are still working on a deal with the Empire but before the conversation can continue, an explosion of the Ambassador's ship explodes and pieces of the ship land a few feet away in the waters.

And we are left with a really nice cliffhanger at the end. Exactly whom is that hidden underneath the hood?

This series continues to be a great read. Vader's evolvement from Anakin Skywalker to the Sith Lord and right hand of the Emperor. We see him lose what is left of his humanity with each issue of the series and in place a creature filled with anger, hatred, and revenge in its wake. This is the Vader we have come to know.

And we see that Vader appear, not only through the memories of the last confrontation between himself and Obi-Wan. The only difference is we find Vader, not Anakin, in place. Vader seems to see that he was weak at that moment in Anakin and if he had been Vader during that confrontation, the dynamic would have changed and it would have been Obi-Wan left at the edge of the lava pit.

As for the hooded figure at the end? I feel like this is Obi-Wan but I am pretty sure I will probably be proven wrong. Whoever it is he is exactly the one Vader is tracking. I am looking forward to their confrontation.

With each "What Ifs" I keep seeing, I wish Marvel would do some sort of comic for those just to see how much of the story would have changed. I think such an idea would be interesting. I mean they do it for their superhero universe, why not the Star Wars universe?

While I did enoy this issue, I was wondering if the continuity was wrong. I thought it was suppose to be one year and not three? Am I wrong? I had planned on doing some research on it but I really haven't had a chance to do so. Maybe I will go through doing that in a few days and see if I am wrong in my thoughts.

So this series is getting good and I have been told that Luke, Leia, and Han are on this panet as well. Does this mean we will be seeing them briefly in the upcoming issues? I think it would be interesting to say the least. We know Vader has no idea he has children at this point in the series so having their paths cross with Vader could cause some problems and curosities for him.

This series is really getting interesting. I am not quite sure where we are in the continuity of the series. I am going to assume that this is Pre-A New Hope. The only thing is Han, Leia, and Luke apart of this continuity at this point or if we are going to wait to see them in future issues. Still I am quite looking forward to seeing how the next issue plays out.