A Reader's Guide to Books and Reviews

Title: Darth Vader (2017-2018) #25
(Darth Vader (2017) (Single Issues) #25)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Elia Bonetti (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: December 27, 2018
Book Summary: FORTRESS VADER: FINALE! The FORTRESS is complete. The door will be opened. VADER finds everything he has ever desired. THE DARK LORD gets everything he deserves.
Book Review: December seems to be the month that we are seeing many of the great comics coming to the end.

Vader's series is no exception to the rule.

This series goes right into the action and it does not stop until the very end. Vader is plunged into the Force and through that, he sees his past and even finds out something that he does not expect in his life. Exactly what does this do to his mental state is not really quite known. Vader's mask conceals his face from view so any sort of revelation that is revealed does not tell us anything. We can only come to suspect that this has some sort of impact on him. Exactly how we don't know.

Nor will we.

This series was a great series. I think it was one of the most solid ones to date but then again anything with Vader is a solid hold for me. I absolutely loved getting to see Vader from the moments after Revenge of the Sith.

And what about that revelation? Holy shi-! That was one hellva of a reveal and one that I really was not expecting but now I understand why Palpatine was so interested in Anakin since the beginning. Still I am not sure if I can get over this. I doubt I ever will!

Whatever series that does come out with him later in the future, you know definitely I will be picking it up.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #23 (Darth Vader (2017) (Single Issues) #23)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Elia Bonetti (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: December 1st, 2018
Book Summary: “FORTRESS VADER” - PART 5 Darkness rises above MUSTAFAR as the brutal designs of LORD MOMIN begin to take shape. But the planet’s inhabitants cannot take this desecration lightly, and shape plans of their own.
Book Review: Darth Vader is on a mission and that mission is to bring back his beloved Padme to him. All this started when his master, Palpatine, gifted Vader with a ship that once belonged to his wife. Palpatine has also allowed Vader to build his own castle and Vader has chosen the place where not only he had been defeated by Obi-Wan so long ago but also the place where Darth Vader had been born.

While there, he found a strange helmet where he learned that it had once belonged to Lord Momin. At one time, Momin had been one of the most dangerous men in the galaxy. He was once strong with the Force but now he is a lost soul connected to a helmet waiting to do the bidding of his master.

But he has promised that he can bring back Padme to Vader.

Calling it his "Masterpiece", Momin has built a temple to bring back Padme. Vader uses the temple to open door into the Force. He nearly succeeds but in the end it is not enough and nearly destroys Mustarfar. For Vader, this is the fifth time that Momin has failed him.

Suddenly a giant monster comes out of the lava and attacks the stormtroopers. The indigenous people are pleased. They do not like the idea of their home world being used as they are doing so. They are easily taken care of.

As Vader watches his castle being built, he tells Momin that there will be no tenth chance to do it over again. Vader has pretty much lost his patience of gaining back Padme and Momin knows this. So Momin prays as Vader once more opens a door in the Force.

He is interrupted by the fleas of Mustarfar. The Stormtroopers engage in a fight with them as Momin walks off but not before telling them to get it done and he didn't care how they did it.

Once again Vader tries to open the door to the Force. And again Vader is interrupted by the arrival of more fleas. He leaves the chambers of the temple and goes out only to find that Momin has betrayed him. Vader is angry at this but before he can go confront Momin, an explosion throws him toward his death.

Inside the temple chamber, Momin is greeting his body and comes out wielding both lightsabers.



This series has been great. I absolutely love the idea that there is still a major part of Anakin that has not actually died. I mean if you consider it, Vader would have never bothered with toying the idea of bringing back Padme to him. In fact, I believe regardless of what Vader says and does that Anakin is still there but it would take a lot of effort to reach the former Jedi.

Unfortunately now Vader has other things that he will have to deal with and one of them is Momin. Momin was not actually building Vader anything. It was more for himself and trying to regain back his former self from deep within the force. Without a corporal body, Momin was stuck attached to the helmet. He knew that by giving Vader a false that he could bring back Padme through the force, he would have his chance when the time came to reclaim his body from the force as well. But the thing is Momin really had no intention of bringing back Padme for Vader.

So what does this mean? Vader is going to have himself a dogfight on his hands against Momin and I am seriously looking forward to seeing how exactly Vader comes out of this fight.

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.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #16 (Darth Vader (2017-) (Single Issues) #16)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: May 13, 2018
Book Summary: Vader and his Inquisitors lead an elite squad of clone troopers to flush out the Jedi traitor beneath the waters of Mon Cala…and the oceans will burn with their fury.
Book Review: There are some really good series out there in the comicverse and then there are some really great series like this one that continues to give the readers exactly what they want.

Although the Jedi haven't had a real big front seat in this series during Vader's extermination of them, this one becomes a bit of a game changer in that. Here we find the Jedi taking center stage during a rough time on a planet that has gone to war against the Empire. Much like the occupants of this planet, the Jedi are doing everything to avoid being exterminated even going as far as to go underground to hide.

But when the Empire is determined to find you and eliminate you, then it becomes only a matter of time before you forced to face off against a former Jedi-turned-Sith Lord.

As for Vader himself, he is much more brutal in this issue as he hunts for his intended prey and when he finds them, he uses the force to take them out. He doesn't even have to move from the protective shell that keeps him from drowning to do damage. Yet as he is hunting down the main Jedi to take him out, he is requested by Tarkin to do something else. Of course Vader is Vader and he hates taking orders from someone else but yet he agrees and sets his Inquistors out to capture the main Jedi while he heads out to get the King of the Mon Cala.

I like Tarkin's character in these fellow issues. It is great seeing him more in a bit of a bigger role than what we are normally used to with the movies. His appearances may be here and there but it gives us a more interesting look at his character. We have seen him hold counsel with his officers and take in advice from them. He seems to treat them a bit of an equal but there doesn't seem to be any lost for Vader. There relationship is cordial at best and although Vader hates to be ordered by him, he does do what he asks. So this our first glimpse of their working relationship.

This series continues to show us Vader as he grows not only in his role as a Sith Lord but what he is actually capable of. He has sense shook off the last remaining bits of his humanity and has become exactly what Palpatine has wanted.

I love this series. The storylines are never boring and Vader continues to entertain. Maybe I am a bit biased as Vader has always been my favorite villain but I have yet to come across an issue that I haven't liked. I am really looking forward to further issues of this series.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #12 (Darth Vader (2017-) (Single Issues) #12)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: March 2, 2018
Book Summary: An expensive bounty has been put on Vader's head! Who would dare try to challenge the Dark Lord's place in the Empire?
Book Review: This issue pretty much picks up right after the last issue.

Vader has confronted the bounty hunters that had been after him and was told that the bounty on his head went higher. This has led Vader to believe that it may be Palpatine who has leveled the bounty upon him. For him, he believes it could be due to the fact that he failed to secure Jocasta Nu and bring the Jedi before the Emperor. This causes Vader to set his ship back toward Coruscant with one of the Inquistors, Ninth Sister, helming ship. Vader seems to be a bit busy fixing some final details on his lightsaber.



As they get close to the force field surrounding the planet, they find themselves being fired upon. It is then that Vader jumps into the pilot seat and takes over.



Unfortunately for Vader, his ship crashes. The next time we see Vader he and Palpatine at one of the former Jedi Temples. Here he finds that his master and finds that the hit did not come for Palpatine but who? For those within the Imperial Officer group, well they are about to take a slight hit because the person or persons have yet to come forward or be found.

So who is behind the hit? And will we know soon? I suppose we will have to stay tuned on that one. xD

You know I never really noticed how much of a hatred there was between Palpatine and Vader but there is also a respect for each other. They seem to feed on that between them and I suppose Palpatine's need for a soldier to keep the Empire in check is what keeps Vader pretty much alive but the question is would Palpatine, even during this time, have beaten Vader? I am on the fence with that one because I believe Vader would have a slight upper hand against Palpatine. Vader is a powerful character but we don't really know the extent of Palpatine's Sith powers.

My biggest grip on this issue was that between the crash of Vader's ship and him turning up at the temple with Palpatine was left with a big chasm. There was no interaction between he and the Ninth Sister upon their arrival nor exactly how he arrived. I went back between the pages to make sure that I had not missed anything. So this was a bit of a plot hole that seems to be unavoidably unfixable.

The issue, however, was a nice one. I am very pleased with its direction and I am excited how it will turn out for Vader as we move even more forward with this story.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #9
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Francesco Mattina (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.95/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: December 6, 2017
Book Summary: As the threat of the Jedi continues to menace the fledgling Empire, Vader finds himself on the trail of Jedi his master has commanded him…to keep alive?
Book Review: This issue picks up right where we leave off with the last. Vader has been made aware of Master Jedi Jocasta Nu is still alive by Emperor Palpatine. However, Palpatine, who normally prefers to have the Order of Jedi dead, wants this one kept alive and sends Vader out to retrieve her. Vader does as he is told by his Master and heads out to the Jedi Temple to retrieve Jocasta Nu. He informs the clone troopers stationed outside to allow no one in.

Inside, Jocasta Nu has drawn out her lightsaber against the Grand Inquistor in the library. Jocasta Nu is angry that anyone not a Jedi would dare step foot within these sacred walls of the temple and she lets it be known that his kind is really not welcomed whatsoever in the temple. A battle ensue between the two of them but not without Vader finally appearing to halt the Grand Inquistor from doing any harm to Jocasta Nu. He does, after all, need her alive because the Emperor wants the Jedi secrets.

Of course, Jocasta Nu isn't going to go quietly and sets out to destroy the Jedi files of force-sensitive children. She knows that if this information falls into the wrong hands, there could be horrible repercussions. As Vader arrives, she tells him that it is too late. It is then that the Droid that guards the temple archives announces that the Jedi within the Vader uniform is Anakin Skywalker and this surprises Jocasta Nu. She knows that this is very bad...extremely bad that Skywalker is a Sith lord now.

If you love lightsaber battles, then this is definitely the issue for you! Unfortunately this issue held very little of Vader but that is going to be expected especially when there is a larger storyline playing out around you. The interesting bit is that there is a bit of a small relationship between Jocasta Nu and the Grand Inquistor and it is not in the romantic sense. I would suspect that he was once a Jedi Apprentice who tried undoubtly to get pursue the information within the walls and was thawed.

I would love to see a limited series about Jocasta Nu. She seems to be a pretty interesting character.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #7 (Darth Vader (2017-) #7)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.95/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: November 2, 2017
Book Summary: LEGACY'S END BEGINS! Vader takes his place in command of the Emperor's secret Inquisitorius Program!
Book Review: Real Rating: 4.95

This issue opens with Vader giving the Inquistors a lesson. Well one of them a lesson in hand loss. In doing so, this has caused a bit of friction between Vader and the Grand Inquistor. There doesn't seem to be any sort of respect between them and the Grand Inquistor has come to know that Vader would rather do things on his own, rather than send anyone out to do it for him. Vader even lets the Grand Inquistor know he finds his lot entirely pathetic.

With Vader obviously not happy with the Inquistors, his attentions are turned to his Master, Palpatine, who informs him of another Jedi still out there. This is where we see Jocasta, an old woman with not much time left in her life but a Jedi with the determination to keep the dying belief alive. She knows she doesn't have much time left in her and she heads out into the city on a mysterious quest. Unfortunately for her Palpatine knows she is still alive but knows the Archive Temple contains a great treasure within. He decides that since Vader is eager for the hunt he sends him after her.

This issue lacked a bit of movement and action but it set up the next issue quite nicely. Here we see Vader's interactions with the Inquistors as well as his loathing for them being there. He doesn't like the idea that his Master has brought them forth to do his bidding. Vader prefers to do things himself and not with any of the hired help. Unfortunately for him he will have no choice in the matter. For now, his focus will have to be on the capture and extermintion of the female Jedi. It won't matter to him that the woman is old and feeble, only that she will be destroyed by his own hand.

This issue will draw you in and keep you glued until the final page. I am quite looking forward to seeing how things will go for Vader from here.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #5 (Darth Vader (2017-) #5)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Terry Dodson (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 5/5
Status: Finshed
Reading Date: September 18, 2017
Book Summary: He began his journey as a Jedi with wonder and hope. Now it is time to put away childish things. Vader's first and most vital test as a Sith concludes.
Book Review: This comic book picks up where the left one ended.

Darth Vader finally has his kyber crystal and is on his way to making his new Sith lightsaber. He heads to an outer rim to a planet called Mustafar. It was here that Vader had been defeated by Obi-Wan while he was Anakin and it was also the place where he nearly killed Padme. Here this will be the place he will call home away from the Empire.

Vader gets to work on making his Sith lightsaber. Of course this does not entirely run smoothly and he ends up getting tossed. It seemed like the crystal wanted to show him something. Perhaps how things might be if he kept on the right path. Unfortunately this was not the path Vader wants and he refuses the crystal.

The scene changes and we return to Emperor Palpatine who is with Tarkin and Mas Amedda when Palpatine's guards are tossed against the glass. Vader has appeared and he has his new saber to show. Of course, Palpatine sends away Tarkin and the others. This is where we find that Vader's saber is red.

This was an interesting arc. I loved how we are given a glimpse into a "what if" moment. This was a fascinating change. I had always wondered what things would have been life if Vader had continued onto another path. I mean these things often do deserve a "What If" moment (Marvel, are you hearing this!? I mean you do it for the X-Universe and whatnot; why not Star Wars too?) I am looking forward now to seeing how Vader and the Executioners interact. We really didn't see much of this really during the series of Rebels and I am hoping we will get more of Vader's thoughts during that as well.

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.