Darth Vader #23 represents the twenty-third installment in the comic book series known as Star Wars: Darth Vader. Kieron Gillen served as the writer for this issue, while Salvador Larroca provided the illustrations. Marvel Comics released it to the public on July 20, 2016.
Dr Aphra, in an unconscious state, is awakened by Triple Zero alongside Beetee. Triple Zero humorously states that they rescued her without resorting to murder. When Dr. Aphra inquires about her unconsciousness, Triple Zero clarifies that she was rendered unconscious by a neurotoxin targeting humans, which had bypassed safety filters. He then administered an antidote to revive her. As they leave the cell, Triple Zero comments that this "unseemly fainting" was unheard of during the era of the Old Republic.
The trio quickly discerns that the Super Star Destroyer Executor has been seized and is currently traversing the shipyards of Kuat Drive Yards. Triple Zero expresses a feeling of "professional envy."
On the bridge of the Executor, Morit Astarte informs Dr Cylo that they have successfully cleared the docks. Dr. Cylo instructs Morit to activate the ion charges, thereby disabling the surrounding Imperial starships to prevent pursuit of the stolen Executor or the summoning of assistance. Dr. Cylo expresses gratitude to the deceased Tulon Voidgazer for her contributions before directing his crew to evacuate.
However, Darth Vader had miraculously survived the destruction of Cylo's flagship and brought the Executor's engines to a halt. He issues a warning to Dr. Cylo, stating his intent to pursue him and prevent his escape. While Morit expresses disbelief at Lord Vader's survival, Dr. Cylo speculates that Vader managed to eject and land on the Super Star Destroyer's exterior. He assigns Morit the task of permanently eliminating Vader and orders him to divide the troops to guard the bridge and retrieve the Emperor Palpatine, who remains aboard the Executor.
As Morit relays orders to Cylo's forces, Dr. Aphra, her droids, and the Wookiee Krrsantan dispatch several sentries positioned outside Black Krrsantan's Auzituck anti-slaver gunship. Dr. Aphra contemplates fleeing but ultimately decides to stay and rescue the Emperor.
Meanwhile, Morit, equipped with a spacesuit, confronts Lord Vader on the hull of the Executor, vowing to bring an end to the Sith Lord. The two engage in a lightsaber duel amidst zero gravity space. As Morit propels himself towards Vader using the rocket jets on his feet, Dr. Aphra, Triple Zero, Beetee, and Black Krrsantan eliminate Cylo's soldiers, who are besieging the Emperor's chambers.
Morit misses Lord Vader in his attack and briefly flies away before initiating another charge. However, the Sith Lord uses his lightsaber to damage his right foot thrusters. Morit manages to navigate to the edge of a metal beam. Nevertheless, Lord Vader employs the Force to launch metal sheets at him and dismantle the metal beam. As Lord Vader boasts about his triumph, Morit is pulled into Kuat's atmosphere and incinerated upon re-entry, mirroring the fate he inflicted upon his sister.
In response to his setbacks, Dr. Cylo commands his remaining troops to assemble at the bridge. While eliminating Cylo's troops outside the Emperor's quarters, Black Krrsantan communicates to Dr. Aphra in Shyriiwook that his assistance is solely motivated by Aphra's debt to him. Aphra jokes about the Wookiee needing to write off his uncollectible debts but agrees to settle the debt. Cylo's surviving troops then withdraw from the Emperor's quarters.
Concurrently, Darth Vader eliminates Cylo's troops guarding the bridge before confronting the scientist himself. Lord Vader asserts to Dr. Cylo that his machines are inadequate, but Cylo counters that Vader is merely one of his machines, activating a remote device that deactivates Vader's armor. Cylo reveals that he had installed a failsafe mechanism to disable Lord Vader's armor should the Sith Lord pose a threat to him. Cylo contemplates whether Lord Vader is more machine than man, ultimately concluding that he is more machine.