Darth Vader (2017) 3
title: "Darth Vader 3"
Issue number three of the canon comic book series Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017) is Darth Vader 3. Charles Soule penned the story, Giuseppe Camuncoli provided the illustrations, and Marvel Comics released it on July 12, 2017.
Summary from the Publisher
Vader is hunting a Jedi who managed to survive Order 66… This Jedi Master has lived in solitude for a long time… This Jedi is more powerful than any Vader has ever encountered…
Plot Synopsis
An Approaching Threat
Jedi Master Kirak Infil'a is on the River Moon of Al'doleem, located in the Mid Rim. He's meditating in the Force while simultaneously constructing four traps for Padawans. Subsequently, Infil'a engages in a practice duel with his training droid, Arex. Arex points out the inadvisability of fighting while setting up traps. Infil'a retorts that worthwhile ambitions rarely come from easy paths. Having interacted with many Jedi, Arex believes Infil'a's philosophy is oversimplified. He cautions the Jedi Master that his chosen path is difficult and could lead to his demise, suggesting that the easy path might allow him to live longer, though perhaps not as a Jedi.
Infil'a knocks Arex back and argues that he is a Jedi, and pretending otherwise would not be easy. As he continues to assemble the traps, Infil'a adds that it would be impossible. Through the Force, Infil'a senses an approaching darkness and instructs Arex to prepare the defenses of Mount Pasvaal.
On board Vader's starship, Darth Vader's droid issues a proximity alert, informing Darth Vader of incoming objects from Quadrant Two. When Vader inquires if they are missiles, the droid is interrupted mid-explanation when the ship collides with a circular object, breaking it in two. Following the impact, the droid reports damage to the primary and secondary thrusters and states that deflector shields are functioning sub-optimally. The droid proposes landing, but Vader believes that would give their target a chance to escape.
The droid persuades Lord Vader to land the ship in a canyon to prevent its loss. After landing, Lord Vader declares that he has lost nothing, as he can still sense the Jedi's presence. The droid begins repairs immediately, estimating a timeframe of two standard days. The droid advises Lord Vader to wait, but the Sith apprentice is determined to confront the Jedi, who is anticipating his arrival.
Climbing the Mountain
After traversing the canyon, Lord Vader encounters a wall that rises unexpectedly from the ground. Master Infil'a senses that Lord Vader reeks of the dark side. The two attempt to connect through the Force, but Master Infil'a halts hostilities. Having sensed the deaths of numerous Jedi through the Force, he questions Lord Vader's involvement. The Sith confirms his participation. When Master Infil'a asks if Vader is there to kill him, the Sith apprentice affirms this.
Master Infil'a explains that he took the Barash Vow as atonement for his transgressions, pledging to live in isolation within the Force until his true path as a Jedi became clear. The Barash Vow entails living outside the Jedi Order and refraining from acting on its behalf, regardless of the circumstances. Infil'a realizes that Vader was aware of his Barash Vow. Declaring the Barash Vow complete due to the deaths of his Jedi brethren, he vows to fight to the end.
Master Infil'a reveals that the mountain is named Mount Passvaal, a sacred location designed to test all Jedi who venture there. The challenges increase in difficulty with altitude. Infil'a challenges Lord Vader to meet him at the summit before instructing Arex to open the sluice gate. The canyon is rapidly flooded, nearly sweeping Lord Vader away. The Sith apprentice uses the Force to part the floodwaters and ascends a stone bridge.
Lord Vader is attacked by several raptorans, but the Sith apprentice uses the Force to tear the birds apart. Monitoring the fight via video, Arex asks Master Infil'a if he should detonate the bridge. Master Infil'a contemplates the nature of Darth Vader. Arex notes that Sith typically wield lightsabers with red blades, but their opponent does not. Based on Vader's Force abilities, he believes the intruder is a dark sider who is dangerous and will defeat the raptorans. Master Infil'a rejects Arex's suggestion and decides to let the "creature" pass.
As Vader uses the Force to rip the raptorans apart, Arex observes that the Sith Lord will soon reach the spikewind and offers to activate the traps. However, Master Infil'a convinces him to deactivate all the traps. Arex warns that Lord Vader will reach them soon. Infil'a responds that this is his intention.
As the Sith apprentice ascends the final flight of stairs to the summit, Master Infil'a taunts him. Lord Vader uses the Force to hurl embedded rocks at Infil'a. The loyal Arex charges at Lord Vader, vowing to destroy him. However, the Sith uses the Force to levitate him and then rip off his lightsaber arm before throwing the droid down the mountain.
Lord Vader uses Arex's weapon to engage Master Infil'a, who realizes that the Sith apprentice is not only there to kill him but also to acquire his lightsaber. Taunting Lord Vader as weak, he drives him to the edge of the summit and severs the lower half of his prosthetic left leg. With Vader on his knees, Infil'a vows to seek out his master as well and destroy him. He then vows to restore the light of the Jedi to the galaxy. Using the Force, Master Infil'a throws Lord Vader down the mountain.
Media
Different Versions
- UPC 759606086665; July 12 , 2017 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00311; Cover A; Olivier Coipel 00321; Cover B; Giuseppe Camuncoli 00312; Cover C; Olivier Coipel