Three graphic novels you may have missed last week!
DARTH VADER VOL. 4: END OF GAMES, by Kieron Gillen, Salvador Larroca, and Edgar Delgado
Darth Vader has been secretly pursuing his own agenda, but now it is time for the End of Games. As Inspector Thanoth returns with some startling information, it seems that Vader may have passed his master’s tests. But even after finding favor in the eyes of the Emperor, the Dark Lord’s schemes may yet prove his undoing. While killer droids Triple-Zero and Beetee wreak havoc in their own homicidal adventure, the Empire’s dreadnought The Executor moves closer to launch. But Vader faces tumultuous battles with the cybernetic Cylo — and himself! Lost in visions of the Force, is he now more machine than man? Or can he fight his way back from the brink to see his missions and machinations finally come to fruition? The imperial march of the dark side reaches a crescendo! Collects Darth Vader #20-25.
AMERICAN MONSTER VOL. 1, by Brian Azzarello and Juan Doe
In a small Midwestern town, a large man with a horribly scarred face gets off a bus, and takes a room. He spooks the locals–nobody knows him–or do they? It’s impossible to say be-cause he seemingly has no face. The man’s intentions remain unknown, until he takes on a corrupt sheriff and the rural crew of racist arms dealers. The town’s impression of the man changes, and he’s seen as a hero…until his real intentions bubble to the surface. The man isn’t there to end the gang, but to take it over. And he’s just getting started.
THE SHADOW: THE DEATH OF MARGO LANE, by Matt Wagner, with Brennan Wagner
Legendary creator Matt Wagner returns to both write and draw an all-new tale for the first and most famous of all pulp heroes, The Shadow! Following his critically-acclaimed work on The Shadow: Year One and Grendel vs. The Shadow, Wagner once again lends his masterful talents to unveil “what evil lurks in the hearts of men”, joined by talented colorist Brennan Wagner. For years, Margo Lane has served as The Shadow’s faithful friend and companion, the closest and most intimate of all his many agents. But when will that proximity to The Shadow’s dark and violent world take its ultimate toll on her? And what effect will his lover’s loss have on the driven and brooding Master of Darkness? A powerful and resonant tale in the sort of pulse-pounding pulp style that only Matt Wagner could deliver!
Also includes Matt Wagner’s 8 page story from The Shadow #100.
A comiXologist recommends… [redacted for spoilers]
As far as conclusions go, this Darth Vader finale is pretty conclusive. Vader has been tortured and tossed about by the Empire’s greatest internal threats, fought enemies at the proverbial gate, and come to terms with missing out on being a dad. Gillen and Larroca’s run on this series has put a nice spin on Vader and what keeps him locked into the Dark Side of the Force.
This late into the series it is damned near impossible not to spoil anything so this review is mostly going to be about gushing with love for the whole shebang, but I’ll sum up the obvious direction things are headed. Vader becomes the commander of the Executor and the Imperial Fleet so as to be ready for The Empire Strikes Back, but it is implied that Vader also seeks to connect with his son.
For those of us who haven’t touched pop culture at all until this very moment, Vader’s son is Luke Skywalker [editor’s note: Um. Spoilers, Matt!] and each has spent the last (estimated) two decades believing the other was dead. Sorry to break it to you before The Empire Strikes Back. That’s a pretty big reveal in that film.
All jokes aside, this series has created a nice internal struggle for Vader. It sets up some solid motivation for fans of the Star Wars mythos to get behind the twisted Anakin Skywalker. Anakin Skywalker is Vader’s real name, by the way. Sorry to ruin that too. [editor’s note: Matthew we talked about this.]
Anakin’s choices led to some logical but less than considered consequences at the end of the Clone Wars, leading him to become the black armored Imperial enforcer. After all was said and done he had no wife, no children, and nothing outside his mission. Therefore, he had no reason not to be Darth Vader.
With the end of this series he still has his mission, but he now also has Luke to find.
Matthew Burbridge is a Digital Editor at ComiXology and is just burning with anticipation for Rogue One. He even bought a Death Trooper helmet.
GIVE ME A FIGHT WORTHY OF MY TIME
Darth Vader Vol. 3: The Shu-Torun War by Kieron Gillen @kierongillen, Salvador Larroca and Leinil Francis Yu @leinilyu
Darth Vader #24 is pretty heavy and it’s by Kieron Gillen @kierongillen and Salvador Larroca and it’s new today from Marvel!
A COMIXOLOGIST RECOMMENDS
Darth Vader #18
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Salvador Larroca
First things first. Can we please talk about the fact that the cover for this issue (by Kaare Andrews) looks like Darth Vader is about to perform at the Grammys with his posse of backup Stormtroopers? Surely the chorus for his hit single would be something like, “Failure is not an option.” At least, that seems to be the refrain driving him through the book.
This is exactly what makes Vader so terrifying post-Death Star destruction. Literally everything seems expendable to him at this point. But if you have to keep saying a thing, that means it isn’t self-evident. His ruthlessness also makes him appear desperate, and desperation is a weakness. One those who would oppose him hope to exploit. At their peril, to be sure, but still. Nothing can ever just go as planned for Vader, and it almost makes you feel for him.
The thing about Vader is, deep down somewhere inside that scary black costume, he’s Anakin. A human being who sometimes makes emotional, irrational decisions. Triple-zero, the chillingly sadistic protocol/torture droid, serves as a reminder of this fact. When the droid rather cheerfully (I don’t know why, I always read his voice as cheerful) offers to implement his idea for a blood-draining droid “more man than machine,” it maybe hits a little too close to what’s left of Vader’s heart. Or maybe even Vader has his limits. Either way, the contrast between Vader and Triple-zero underscores the broader point, which is that Vader is not as efficiently single-minded as he’d like to be. He has to work for it. He is still more man than machine. That’s what makes it a good story. Gillen manages to keep this small shred of humanity in play without dulling the character that has made such an epic villain all these years.
One final point about this issue: I’ve been missing Aphra, but I really like what Queen Trios gets up to in this one. I’m not entirely sure I can predict how Vader will react, and I’m really looking forward to issue 19!
Tia Vasiliou is a Digital Editor and Sith Lord at ComiXology.
A comiXologist Recommends: Michael Crowe recommends Darth Vader #1
Much has been written about Anakin Skywalker and his fall from grace. But what about the man buried deep within the machine? What goes on in the mind of a Sith Lord? Despite the deluge of material on his early life, few stories focus on the all too human emotions still festering in the heart of a hero turned villain. Kieron Gillen (kierongillen) and Salvador Larroca give us an unexpected view into the mind of Vader and the workings of the Empire in Darth Vader #1.
Set directly after the destruction of the Death Star, this book showcases the ramifications of this event, as seen from the Empire’s point of view. The “opening crawl” sets the tone, declaring the rebels as insurgents and the Death Star as a peacekeeping force. Kieron Gillen effortlessly handles the characterizations of familiar and beloved figures of the Star Wars universe. His careful delivery of exposition never seems stilted or retreaded. Even well worn storylines such as the destruction of the Death Star are retold and reexamined in new and novel ways. His writing style lends itself to all readers, those familiar with Star Wars continuity and those just looking to get to know Darth Vader for the first time. You don’t need to know anything about Star Wars to get lost in this book; the story will grab you from the first page.
Salvador Larroca’s cinematic art further elevates this title. The action sequences are rendered beautifully and hauntingly. The settings are also rendered with equal care, showcasing the stark differences between such iconic places as Jabba’s Palace on Tatooine and The Imperial Palace on Coruscant. The colors by Edgar Delgado only add to the realism and depth the artist has infused this work with.
Darth Vader #1 is a book not to be missed. It’s a book by fans, for fans. Here’s hoping this team will stick around for at least a few story arcs. Never before has the psyche of Darth Vader been laid so bare. Be sure to pick up this book for a peak inside the complicated mind of the one and only Sith Lord.
[Read Darth Vader #1 on comiXology]
Michael Crowe is a member of the digital assets/launch team. In his free time he enjoys reading, watching and writing science fiction and horror.
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Circa 2004 - Iron Man: The Five Nightmares
Tony Stark - Iron Man, billionaire industrialist and director of S.H.I.E.L.D. - faces the most overwhelming challenge of his life. Ezekiel Stane, the son of Tony’s late business rival and archenemy Obadiah, has set his sights, his genius and his considerable fortune on the task of destroying Tony Stark and Iron Man.
All out action ensues in this modern Iron Man classic by Matt Fraction and Salvador Larroca. Pick it up on sale today only!
