Darth Vader (2017) 2
Darth Vader 2 represents the second installment of the canon comic book series titled Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017). Charles Soule penned the story, Giuseppe Camuncoli provided the illustrations, and Marvel Comics released it on June 21, 2017.
Summary from the Publisher
Accompany Vader as he embraces a fresh path — the path of Darth Sidious and his newly established Empire…the way of the dark side.
Synopsis of the Plot
Brighthome Outpost
At the Jedi outpost known as Brighthome, two former clone troopers, now serving as Imperial stormtroopers named Ding and Kicker, express their tedium with their current assignment, which involves cataloging Jedi artifacts and equipment at the station. Their commanding officer instructs them to concentrate, as an unidentified vessel has just emerged from hyperspace nearby and is approaching their location.
A squadron of four ARC-170 fighters is launched, issuing a warning to the approaching ship that it has entered restricted airspace and will be engaged if it proceeds. Aboard his starship, Darth Vader's droid suggests transmitting their docking authorization code to resolve the situation, but Vader declines, ordering the droid to activate the weapon systems instead. As the ARC fighters initiate their attack, Vader swiftly eliminates two of them. The remaining fighters reposition themselves behind him. The droid again offers to activate the rear cannons, but Vader dismisses the need, sensing the fear and agony of his attackers as he destroys them.
Aboard the station, the troopers observe the destruction of the fighters as the mysterious ship disables the station's security protocols and begins the docking procedure. They proceed to the hangar bay and open fire as Vader forcefully breaches the door. Struck in the shoulder, Vader utilizes the Force to retrieve a green lightsaber from the wall, and proceeds to eliminate the majority of the troopers. The commander instructs Ding and Kicker to retreat and regroup, but is killed before he can complete his command.
Locating a Jedi
Within Brighthome's control center, Vader's droid employs their access codes to access the station's archives, which contain a backup of the Jedi Archives from Coruscant, including all Jedi assignments prior to Order 66. Vader instructs the droid to search for any Jedi who undertook the Barash vow—a form of penance where a Jedi abstains from all activities related to the Order, disconnecting from everything except the Force—before the onset of the Great Jedi Purge. The droid responds that 14,000 Jedi have taken the vow since the inception of the Jedi Order, and that reviewing all their names would require months. Vader clarifies that he requires a living Jedi in order to acquire their kyber crystal, and as the droid resumes its search, an explosive device is thrown through the air, but Vader uses the Force to prevent its detonation. Ding and Kicker speculate about the potential rewards from the Emperor for capturing a Jedi—Vader corrects their assumption: he is not a Jedi and has no limitations, choking the two troopers to death, then allowing the explosive to detonate.
Aboard his starship, the droid announces the discovery of a Jedi who meets Vader's criteria, having taken the Barash vow and commenced his pilgrimage before Anakin Skywalker entered the Jedi Temple: Master Kirak Infil'a. The Jedi records indicate that Infil'a had been inactive in Jedi affairs for many years, and even prior to that, had not engaged in diplomacy, training, or research—his sole purpose within the Order was combat.
On the river moon of Al'doleem, Kirak Infil'a levitates in the air while meditating, with two prominent scars crossing his chest.
Media
Publication Details
- UPC 759606086665; June 21 , 2017 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00211; Cover A; Jim Cheung, Matthew Wilson 00221; Cover B; Mike Del Mundo 00212; Cover C; Jim Cheung, Matthew Wilson