Darth Vader issue number 12 represents the twelfth 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 to the public on February 28, 2018.
As Vader's starship is in hyperspace travel, Darth Vader's droid informs Darth Vader that its analysis indicates the assassination contract originated from the highest echelons of the Imperial Executive Building, including Emperor Palpatine's offices. The droid estimates a 97% probability of the signal's origin and confirms no evidence of hacking. As Vader constructs his new lightsaber, he requests a roster of individuals with Level 1A1 or higher access codes to Imperial systems. The droid identifies seven individuals: Corin Ferro, Wilhuff Tarkin, Jer Croteau, Cassio Tagge, Joon Strephi, Tomas Azoras, and Zorta Bingan. Vader expresses gratitude before activating his newly constructed lightsaber.
The Ninth Sister pulls Vader's vessel out of hyperspace above Coruscant. She expresses relief at the journey's conclusion, disliking Vader's presence. However, they face a new predicament: they cannot transmit authorization codes to orbital defense. Vader's droid reports that Coruscant Security has designated them as a threat, identifying the ship's transponder as linked to a Separatist cell.
Due to the inability to verify the ship's Imperial identity, Coruscant's orbital defenses launch missiles. Recognizing the immediate danger, Vader assumes control of the starship. With him piloting, they evade the incoming missiles. Displaying his piloting prowess, Vader executes a crash landing in Coruscant's streets. Upon exiting the ship, accompanied by the Ninth Sister and his droid, Vader declares his frustration.
At the dilapidated former Jedi Temple, the Emperor informs Vader that, while he doesn't consider his battle with Jocasta Nu a victory, he acknowledges it's not a complete loss, as he acquired her collection of Jedi and Sith artifacts, including a blue mask. Vader immediately informs the Emperor about the assassination attempt during a mission to Cabarria with the Ninth Sister. He reveals that the contract originated from the highest levels of the Imperial government.
Palpatine shows interest in Vader's lightsaber, deeming it an improvement. The Emperor assures Vader that he did not issue the kill order, as he wouldn't resort to such indirect methods. When Vader inquires if it was a test, the Emperor responds that he prefers teaching to testing. Vader recounts the second attempt on his life during their return to Coruscant. Vader suggests that he shouldn't be overly concerned about the assassination attempts, as individuals like them will always attract enemies seeking their demise.
Within a secluded chamber in the Uscru District's "The Room of Masks," two masked assassins discuss their unsuccessful attempts to eliminate Vader. A red-clad conspirator adorned with a horned mask questions his co-conspirator, clad in blue with a brown hood, about their target's identity. His colleague remains unaware. The horned conspirator laments that planting the mercenary contract in the Emperor's office failed to sow discord between Vader and the Emperor.
The hooded conspirator affirms this, noting that Vader and the Emperor appear to have reached an understanding. The horned conspirator expresses curiosity about their relationship. The hooded conspirator is equally puzzled, complaining that the Emperor suddenly elevated Vader and grants him unchecked authority. He questions whether Vader is merely a servant or a bodyguard.
The horned conspirator posits that Vader is more than a servant or bodyguard, citing the Emperor's decision to grant him control over the Inquisitorius program. He insists that Vader must be eliminated, believing that the Emperor will be easier to control without him. When the hooded conspirator, missing two fingers, asks how they can defeat such a formidable opponent, the horned conspirator dismisses Vader as merely skilled or fortunate. He vows to persist in his attempts until Vader is dead.
Unbeknownst to the conspirators, Vader meditates through the dark side of the Force, gaining a Force vision revealing one of the conspirators to be Colonel Barokki, the officer he had previously Force choked. Vader shares his suspicions about Barokki with the Emperor. Vader believes that the Imperial officers underestimate his strength and power. While Vader acknowledges that the Sith cannot rule over an "Empire of the dead," he insists on consequences. The Emperor concedes, permitting Vader to punish several officers but instructing him to spare Tarkin, as he is essential.
The Emperor convenes the highest-ranking members of the Imperial Officer Corps in an auditorium, where he delivers a speech outlining his vision for the Empire. Palpatine concludes his address by clarifying Vader's position within the Imperial hierarchy. He declares that Vader speaks with his authority and that his commands are equivalent to the Emperor's. He instructs the officers to disseminate this information to their subordinates before yielding the floor to Vader.
Vader summons Imperial officers Ferro, Bingan, Strephi, Azoras, and Barokki to the front of the assembly. He informs the assembled Imperial Officer Corps about the two attempts on his life. Although he has been unable to identify the conspirators, Vader warns that he will always survive. As punishment, he randomly selects five Imperial officers to be executed by snapping their necks using the Force. The assembled officers watch in horror and awe as their colleagues are summarily executed. The remaining conspirator, missing two fingers, observes from the crowd.
Later, while meditating through the dark side, Vader shatters a transparisteel window.
- UPC 759606086665; February 28 , 2018 ; Marvel Comics [1] 01211; Cover A; Elia Bonetti, Giuseppe Camuncoli