Issue #2 is one other robust addition to the anthology collection, Star Wars: Darth Vader – Black, White & Red. Containing one other chapter of Jason Aaron and Leonard Kirk’s story, alongside two different mini-stories, the collection continues to be a enjoyable, darkish learn.
Spoilers forward…
The first story, Hard Shutdown Part 2, by Jason Aaron and Leonard Kirk continues the series-long plot of a cybernetic, Cyn Sendvall, making an attempt to take down and dismantle Darth Vader. It’s revealed that Cyn’s father was a cybernetic surgeon who helped create the robotic elements for Vader. Cyn’s father, ashamed that he couldn’t recreate the “masterpiece” that’s Vader, operated on Cyn as a way to try to recreate his work. Cyn, due to this fact, desires to get again at his father by dismantling Vader, his father’s biggest accomplishment.
What follows is a gory scene, as Vader kills his captors utilizing the Force. He’s strapped down on an working desk however nonetheless kills them whereas incapacitated. While I’m not too enthused in regards to the story, as Cyn isn’t too convincing of an antagonist, and his motivations are a bit weak, seeing Vader this highly effective is all the time a delight to see.
Following that, The Endless Mercy written by David Pepose, with artwork by Alessandro Vitti, is one other nice entry in Vader’s mythos, as Vader fights in opposition to Xenomorph-like creatures on a derelict ship.
What struck me probably the most about this story is the art work. Pages are simply drenched in crimson. The coloration scheme lends itself brilliantly to the rageful and bloody theme behind Vader. But the alien creatures attacking Vader are additionally coloured crimson, resulting in some nice coloration distinction between them and black-and-white Vader.
Finally, Power by Victoria Ying with artwork by Marika Cresta is the standout story of the difficulty. The story is a few younger boy that’s bullied however good points inspiration and fortitude from an unlikely supply.
If I might degree a critique on the two different tales, it’s that they each comply with an analogous plot of Vader being put in an overwhelmingly troublesome state of affairs, however discovering a technique to overcome it by means of sheer power and energy. But this remaining story within the difficulty is a standout as a result of its focus shouldn’t be on Vader, however on just a little child being influenced and impressed by Vader’s power. I all the time discovered one of the best Vader tales to be those that don’t heart on him, however on the impact he has on background characters, and it’s the identical right here in Power.
While the collection continues to make use of comparable plot strains that Vader comedian followers are aware of, the artwork and bite-size tales proceed to be partaking and appropriate to the character.
Score: 8/10
Jay Goodearl’s earliest reminiscence is of watching The Phantom Menace whereas his father learn out loud to him the opening crawl. He has been a Star Wars fan ever since.
