As the Dark Droids crossover occasion attracts close to its finale, Darth Vader’s hatred of the Emperor turns into an increasing number of palpable within the lead-up to Return of the Jedi. Darth Vader #41 acts as an unimaginable introspective stepping stone for the arc, diving into the machine versus man dichotomy and drumming up momentum for Vader’s final redemption.
This concern follows the aftermath of Vader’s assault on the Emperor, and what occurs when he permits the Scourge to contaminate him. If you haven’t but, take a look at the overview for Darth Vader #40 right here. Although concern #41 is considerably exposition-heavy (at this stage, everyone knows the Scourge loves monologue), it really works to emphasise the relentless tirade of manipulation the Scourge imposes upon Darth Vader, which may be very paying homage to the Emperor in the course of the prequel period. Accompanied by some sensible but terrifying artwork by Raffaele Ienco, this concern definitely doesn’t fail to ship.
Spoilers forward…
It would come as a shock to completely nobody that Darth Vader doesn’t merely enable the Scourge to take over his being. He initiates his personal plan for the entity: to take management of its energy. By isolating a bit of the Scourge inside his go well with, he separates it from its hive thoughts and research it, utilizing it to create his personal droid military beneath solely his management. But, because the Scourge factors out, what profit would this carry him? We know that he has already tried overthrowing the Emperor with a droid military, a plot that failed within the aftermath of A New Hope.
This picture of Darth Vader altering the Scourge for his personal agenda introduced again all these reminiscences of Anakin Skywalker tinkering away together with his droids, that deeply rooted want to ‘repair’ issues superbly captured on this illustration:
Imperial troops then arrive on Mirgoshirax of their hunt for the treasonous Lord Vader and supply an ideal alternative to reveal an intriguing new addition to Vader’s Force talents. Through the facility of the Scourge, Vader is ready to create his personal hive thoughts and use the droids he controls as an extension of himself and his talents. As such, he is ready to direct the Force at something his droids see.
This is finally what the Scourge wished to perform by infecting Vader: a terrifying amalgamation of the pure and highly effective organic Force sensitivity with the all-powerful data and mechanical would possibly of a droid military. It serves as an extremely fascinating and harmful risk to the material of the galaxy. But additionally an expansive image of what Vader represents: a lethal mixture of man and machine.
I’ve to say, this Imperial officer has guts. Either that, or he’s by no means seen Darth Vader in motion. Literally ever.
Side observe: Vader’s use of the Force by means of his droids may have been sophisticated to depict, however the inclusion of crimson circles right here is admittedly easy and efficient.
Of course, the Scourge was not going to lie down and die. It works arduous to persuade Darth Vader to give up himself to it, to relinquish his flesh and permit the superior mechanical thoughts to take management, as Darth Vader may solely affect a handful of droids directly. Its guarantees of final energy, its claims that Darth Vader is merely getting used as a software by the Emperor… all of it sounds extremely acquainted… and readers usually are not the one ones to acknowledge this.
Darth Vader battles with the Scourge in his head as he tears down the droids it throws at him. He does it with a bodily and psychological battle that displays his anger, however not towards the Scourge. Vader merely views it as a manner of getting what he really desires. This is as a substitute directed on the Emperor, who has echoed these manipulations for many years.
He is conscious of the Scourge’s deception and refuses to succumb to its management. He refuses to be a second-in-command — an assault canine on a leash — and he symbolically fights for his flesh, the a part of him that’s nonetheless man and the a part of him that the Emperor didn’t construct. This a part of him is what the Scourge really fears.
If he can defeat the Scourge and its manipulation and assert his energy over it, why does he nonetheless undergo the Emperor? What will occur subsequent to foil all his progress?
Left to ponder this, the difficulty involves an finish as we transfer to an undisclosed space of the Outer Rim, the place a bunch of individuals are watching Vader and discussing his newfound power. They reveal themselves because the Schism Imperial, an Imperial faction seemingly against the Sith rule of the galaxy. Sly Moore will be seen amongst the group, debating whether or not they need to kill Darth Vader or recruit him, setting us up for the occasions of Darth Vader #42.
Overall, this concern added some fascinating new lore to the canon and Darth Vader’s character growth as we put together for the vital juncture in Return of the Jedi. This a strong concern that does depart us questioning how Vader’s newest and arguably most heated try to overthrow the Emperor will consequence within the Vader we see in Return of the Jedi: a Vader resigned to his destiny, prepared to hesitate for just a few agonising moments because the Emperor tortures his son. How this decision pans out, for my part, will make or break this collection.
Rating: 8/10
Rosalie Lambert is a legislation pupil from Australia with a deep love for Star Wars, fantasy, and epic stylistic storytelling. Growing up within the nation, Rosalie has all the time liked nature and outside actions, and has a ardour for human rights and social justice that she desires to work in the direction of in her subject of research.
