Last issue, I said that I wasn’t sure where Gillen was going with this but I was pretty sure I liked it. Good news. I liked it. Darth Vader #6 by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca is in comic stores today and it should definitely be at the top of your pull list.
There will be spoilers for the issue in this review because it’s impossible not to discuss the issue without them.
Issue 6 picks up immediately where the previous issue left off. Turns out that Cylo has been training four potential apprentices to take Vader’s place but only if they can beat him. Meanwhile, Boba Fett returns back from his mission to report that the Rebel pilot escape him but he knows his name now: Skywalker.
I’ve finally been able to put my finger on what makes Gillen’s Vader so good: he adds in the right amount of Anakin. It’s a very Palpatine thing to have a new apprentice in mind and it’s a very Anakin thing to not realize his master excels at contingency plans. Sure he’s older and most definitely the Darth Vader we know from the Original Trilogy but there are some things you just can’t change about a person.
It’s awesome that Star Wars fans finally got to see the moment when Vader learns that he has a son. Everything about it was written perfectly from the glass breaking to the angered call to Palpatine to the really ticked off vow. Not only is it perfect Vader/Anakin but it ties in amazingly with how he acts during Return of the Jedi.
On the other hand, it did feel a little bit heavy handed to have so many panels over multiple pages that were direct flashbacks. I liked that they were included but I thought that perhaps there were just a few more then necessary.
As a note, it would be nice if this book came with a little note that says ‘Read Star Wars #6 before you read this issue’ since the events of the two are directly tied together in sequence.
Oh. And Salvador Larroca? I’m so glad you had the opportunity to draw a Mon Calamari General Grievous. Seriously.
One more oh. Adi Granov draws an amazing Palpatine.
Darth Vader #6 knocked it out of the park this week and gets a 4.5/5 from me.
