Darth Vader vol 2 #1 quick review – this is the Rogue One Vader

Darth Vader Volume 2 #1 2017

This isn’t the volume one Darth Vader who was cold and calculating. This Vader is pure rage.

Rogue One-ish?

Yes, this is Anakin right after Star Wars, Revenge of the Sith when he awakens in the Vader armor and finds out Padme has died. He is so full of unbridled rage he inadvertently force slams the Emperor into a wall. The Emperor becomes mad as well upon learning Vader has lost his lightsaber in the battle with Obi-Wan Kenobi.

Kyber crystal quest

The Emperor dispatches Vader on his first quest and presumably gives the comic its first arc. We learn that a Sith must find a Jedi and make his/her Kyber crystal bleed to make the red lightsaber color. Good to know.

Vader immediately has a target to vent his anger when he finds the group of thieves who stole his ship. No mercy just pure power although we do see where a lightsaber to deflect blaster fire comes in handy.

Artist Giuseppe Camuncoli breathes Charles Soule script to life. We don’t hear Vader’s inner thoughts, so Camuncoli’s art is vital to conveying a majority of the villain’s emotions.

This is a nice launch to Darth Vader bridging the gap between Revenge of the Sith and Rogue One. I can’t wait to see what Soule and Camuncoli have in store for us next.

There is a fun bonus story of Vader and an endless parade of Imperial Officers who fall victim to the weary Sith’s mood. Chris Eliopoulos and Jordie Bellaire bring the funny via those quirky Mouse Droids.