Darth Vader (2017) 25
title: Darth Vader 25
Darth Vader 25, the concluding issue in the canon comic book series titled Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017), marks its twenty-fifth installment. Charles Soule served as the writer, Giuseppe Camuncoli provided the illustrations, and Marvel Comics released it on December 19, 2018.
Synopsis by the Publisher
FORTRESS VADER: The story concludes! The FORTRESS now stands complete. The door is ready to be opened wide. What VADER has been searching for is now within his grasp. THE DARK LORD will finally obtain what he feels is his.
Detailed Plot
A Journey of the Spirit
Darth Vader finds himself in an ethereal state at Fortress Vader located on Mustafar, stepping through a doorway created by the meditation chamber, leading to an out-of-body experience. His spirit wanders into a desolate spiritual realm, where he is confronted by Force visions of his mother, the pregnant Shmi Skywalker Lars, and Darth Sidious, suggesting Sidious's manipulation of Anakin's conception through the Force.
Subsequently, Vader relives a childhood dream from his time as Anakin Skywalker, where he was terrorized by a shadowy figure of Darth Vader attempting to seize him. Awakening from this nightmare, Anakin was comforted by Shmi, who assured him it was merely a dream. As he traverses the spiritual plane, Vader observes gateways to pivotal moments of his past, including podracing, constructing C-3PO, his initial encounter with Padmé Amidala, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Senator Palpatine, his Jedi training, his romance with Padmé, mentoring Ahsoka Tano as his Padawan, and a glimpse of his future confrontation with her on Malachor. A voice then informs him that the truths they hold dear are subjective, contingent on perspective.
As Vader approaches a vision of the Jedi Temple, he is confronted by apparitions of numerous Jedi, including Eeth Koth, Saesee Tiin, Yaddle, Jocasta Nu, Yarael Poof, Shaak Ti, Quinlan Vos, Plo Koon, Mace Windu, Depa Billaba, Ferren Barr, Adi Gallia, Kirak Infil'a, and Yoda. He engages and defeats these Jedi using a pair of lightsabers. Upon entering the Temple, he witnesses his former Master, Kenobi, battling Darth Sidious atop a Sith shrine. Sidious slays Kenobi, but Vader retaliates, eliminating the Sith Lord with Force lightning.
Lord Vader then encounters a vision of Padmé on a balcony. Assuming the form of Anakin Skywalker, he implores his wife to join him, promising to save them both. Padmé questions if he is an angel, describing them as the universe's most beautiful beings. When he insists on their departure, she retorts that he is a stranger to her, asserting that Skywalker is deceased. Padmé plummets from the balcony to her demise, her body consumed by dark side energy. Vader unleashes a scream of fury and sorrow as he surveys the corpses scattered outside his fortress.
Subsequently, Vader perceives a vision of an approaching figure, revealed to be his son, Luke Skywalker. Struck by a surge of Force energy, Vader awakens at the base of the mound. Employing the Force, he retrieves his lightsaber from his cybernetic arm and plunges it into the mound, triggering a surge of dark side lightning that sweeps across the landscape.
Discovering Purpose
Later, Lord Vader informs the Emperor that he has successfully completed his trial on Mustafar. Palpatine expresses his satisfaction, as he was nearing the point of seeking a new Sith apprentice. The Emperor is pleased that his apprentice has gained insight from his arduous quest for knowledge on Mustafar, stating that the galaxy is founded on falsehoods and that truth remains elusive. The Emperor requests Vader's return, asserting the Empire's dire need for him.
Vader pledges to return. When the Emperor inquires if Lord Vader discovered the truth he sought on Mustafar, Vader terminates the holoprojector before affirming. He is depicted standing amidst heaps of bodies—Imperials, Mustafarians, and lava fleas—outside his fortress in the desolate terrain of Mustafar.
Aspects of Continuity
A particular scene within Darth Vader 25 draws inspiration from the teaser poster for the film Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace.
Available Media
Different Editions
- UPC 759606086665; December 19 , 2018 ; Marvel Comics [1] 02511; Cover A; Elia Bonetti, Giuseppe Camuncoli 02521; Cover B; Rod Reis 02531; Cover C; Gabriele Dell'Otto