The second issue of the Star Wars: Darth Vader_ comic series, specifically issue number thirteen, is titled Darth Vader 13. This issue also serves as the second part of the Star Wars: Vader Down crossover storyline. Marvel Comics released this comic, authored by Kieron Gillen and with art by Salvador Larroca, on November 25, 2015.
On the planet Vrogas Vas, Darth Vader is instructed to surrender by the rebel troopers, but instead, he commands them to disarm to avoid harm. Ignoring his warning, Vader employs the Force to trigger their own grenades, leading to widespread destruction and eliminating a large portion of the company. Subsequently, the Sith Lord utilizes his lightsaber to redirect a projectile back at a tank, causing its annihilation. Vader then capitalizes on the resulting smoke to launch surprise attacks on the remaining rebel troopers.
In a parallel sequence, Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, and C-3PO make their entrance at the Rebel Refueling Base aboard the Millennium Falcon. A rebel officer informs them that the confrontation with Vader proceeded as anticipated. Upon Solo's inquiry about Vader's defeat, the officer reveals that Luke Skywalker collided his TIE Advanced x1 into Vader's. Leia then asks about Skywalker's condition, the officer admits that his fate is unknown due to his X-wing starfighter also crashing.
Leia then directs the rebel troopers at the base to prepare landspeeders for deployment, aiming to ensnare Vader. Despite Solo's attempts to remind her about Skywalker, Leia insists on prioritizing Vader's capture to avenge the destruction of Alderaan. When Solo asks Leia for a speeder, she declines, determined to allocate all rebel resources to Vader's capture. Refusing to abandon Skywalker, Solo seeks the assistance of Chewbacca and C-3PO to rescue their comrade.
Aboard the Ark Angel, Dr. Aphra uses a comlink to enlist the services of the Wookiee Krrsantan. Inquiring about weapon preparations, Triple Zero is told by Aphra that there is no time for that, and instead, requests visuals. Beetee then projects a hologram of Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, R2-D2, and C-3PO, accompanied by Triple Zero's brief overview of the rebel group.
Aphra comments that Solo seems more like "a bar dodger" than a rebel hero. She then tasks Triple Zero with pinpointing Vader's potential crash sites to facilitate his rescue. Triple Zero suggests that she is underestimating Vader's ability to escape the trap, and Aphra agrees, stating that she can handle the rebel army but that Vader is far more intimidating.
Back at the Vrogas Vas base, Princess Leia is informed by the rebel ground commander about the discovery of Vader's wrecked TIE fighter, but Vader is missing. Leia cautions them against touching anything and to watch out for traps. She then asks Cyan Squadron if they see anything. Cyan Leader and Cyan Two report nothing, but Cyan Three spots Vader in the distance. Leia orders all units to converge on Vader and allows Cyan Three to initiate an attack run.
However, the rebel troopers discover that the TIE Advanced's blaster array is missing. Vader then uses the TIE fighter's cannons to shoot down and destroy Cyan Three. Meanwhile, Skywalker is watching the skirmish with R2-D2. He blames himself and vows to take Vader out.
Aphra observes Skywalker and R2-D2 using her macrobinoculars, planning to capture them to earn Vader's favor. Triple Zero expresses eagerness to hunt down Skywalker, but Aphra warns the protocol droid against underestimating him. When Triple Zero suggests killing Skywalker and finding replacements, Aphra says that killing Skywalker will not be necessary, and asks Triple Zero to come to her, while holding a spray paint canister.
Later, Skywalker and R2-D2 explore the abandoned Jedi Temple. He senses the cold presence of the dark side of the Force. Skywalker initially mistakes it for Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Suddenly, a droid resembling C-3PO approaches Skywalker. Overjoyed to see a familiar face, Skywalker is met with R2-D2's panicked beeping.
Skywalker tells R2-D2 to calm down, but the C-3PO impostor electrocutes him instead, rendering him unconscious. The impostor reveals himself as Triple Zero and tells R2-D2 to be quiet. He remarks that the "flesh-loving scum" has made his bed. Dr Aphra stands behind Triple Zero.
- UPC 759606081240; November 25 , 2015 ; Marvel Comics [1] 01311; Cover A; Mark Brooks 01321; Cover B; Clay Mann