Darth Vader #15 represents the fifteenth installment of the canon comic book series, formally titled Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017). Charles Soule is credited as the writer, Giuseppe Camuncoli as the illustrator, and Marvel Comics served as the publisher on April 25, 2018.
Darth Vader descends into the Great Ungeness Trench, activating his lightsaber for illumination. Vader's armor's computer system alerts him to a critical oxygen level of 30 percent and warns that external pressure exceeds the suit's maximum capacity. Vader employs the Force to propel himself upward, alleviating the pressure on his armor.
During his ascent, Vader is ambushed by a giant squid that attempts to ensnare him with its tentacles. Vader loses his lightsaber. As the creature constricts him and prepares to devour him, he uses the Force to manipulate the creature, compelling it to retrieve his lightsaber and propel him toward the surface.
As the Inquisitors attempt communication, Mon Calamari and Quarren soldiers on Underwater Turbo Sled Pikes engage Imperial seatroopers piloting OMS Devilfish submersibles. Approaching the surface, the giant squid's eye bursts due to the pressure change. Vader responds to the Inquisitors' communications, directing them to his location.
As the Inquisitors' Imperial submarine nears, the blinded and dying giant squid sinks into the ocean depths. Vader boards the submarine, greeted by the Sixth Brother, Ninth Sister, and Tenth Brother, who express surprise at his survival. Vader inquires about the Jedi's status, to which the Sixth Brother replies that he is still alive. When Vader asks about King Lee-Char's whereabouts, the Ninth Sister reports that he was swept away by a tidal wave.
The Ninth Sister reveals that she coerced Lee-Char into disclosing the Jedi's location, which they now know. The Tenth Brother adds that they narrowly survived the wave, losing two clone Purge Troopers in the process. He explains that the Inquisitors acquired an Imperial submarine and searched for him. Lord Vader reminds the Sixth Brother that the Emperor assigned him a task, and failure to complete it is unacceptable.
When the Sixth Brother claims they rescued him, Vader dismisses them as fools, asserting that he doesn't require rescue. Vader reminds the Ninth Sister that their mission on Mon Cala was to locate and eliminate the Jedi advising King Lee-Char. When the Ninth Sister says they know where to find him, Vader points out that Lee-Char would warn the Jedi if he survived. Vader instructs them to move and hope for the King's demise.
Meanwhile, an unconscious King Lee-Char is recovered by a Quarren patrol team in a Quarren submarine. The Quarrens express hope that the King is still alive.
At the Aerial landing platform, Colonel Bergon informs Governor Wilhuff Tarkin that they are making headway against Mon Cala resistance in the northern hemisphere. She reports that Admiral Raddus is organizing resistance in the south, consolidating their reefships in the polar regions.
Colonel Bergon expresses her preference to avoid scattering her forces. She intends to address Commander Ackbar first before dealing with the southern resistance. Tarkin cautions her against underestimating Raddus, acknowledging his skill as a tactician and suggesting he is planning a counter-attack. Bergon assures Tarkin that she has the situation under control. At that moment, an officer reports an imminent attack.
Ackbar leads a squadron of aquatic vehicles against the sky-base. Underestimating Ackbar, Bergon orders TIE fighters to intercept them. The aquatic vehicles submerge under enemy fire. Despite sustaining losses, Ackbar remains determined to penetrate the point-defence grid and strike the sky-fortress.
Under Ackbar's command, the Mon Calamari launch themselves out of the water, firing metal-cased missiles at the sky-fortress, triggering a series of explosions that obliterate the aerial landing platform. As Ackbar and his soldiers assess the damage, a sergeant informs them that a Quarren patrol team has located King Lee-Char.
Meeting with the injured King Lee-Char, Ackbar expresses relief at his safety. He informs the King about the Empire's deployment of sky-bases as staging grounds for their assault. While they managed to destroy one, he warns that the Empire possesses more. Ackbar proposes a truce with the Empire to resume negotiations.
Lee-Char rejects the idea of a truce, asserting that the Empire has made its decision. He vows to fight until the Empire withdraws. When Lee-Char speaks of saving his people and the galaxy, Ackbar questions whether this is his opinion or the Jedi's. Lee-Char claims it is his own but suddenly remembers that the Inquisitors know the location of the Jedi Ferren Barr.
Escaping from his watery bed, he contacts Barr. Meanwhile, Verla informs Barr that the Mon Calamari and Quarren are putting up a strong fight. Barr is impressed by their willingness to resist the Empire. Verla inquires whether they will succeed in liberating their planet, given the Imperial opposition. Barr remains noncommittal.
Suddenly, Endee informs them about a transmission from the King. Lee-char informs them that he has triggered a scouring of the surface. He warns Barr that the Imperial "assassins" tortured him and have discovered the location of his hideout.
Aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer Sovereign, Governor Tarkin learns of the loss of Colonel Bergon's sky-base. An Imperial lieutenant informs Tarkin that the Mon Calamari employed a swarm attack using metal-cased missiles instead of energy projectiles.
Tarkin confronts Commander Jordo about the failure of the Imperial Security Bureau to report the military tech. Jordo attempts to explain that they have only been in the Mon Calamari system for a few days and that he cannot provide a complete assessment of the planet in such a short time. Enraged by Jordo's incompetence, Tarkin orders stormtroopers to requisition a set of stormtrooper armor for Jordo.
Despite Jordo's protests, he is deployed to the surface as a stormtrooper. When a lieutenant asks if Tarkin intends to retaliate, Tarkin clarifies that he is escalating the conflict. Imperial reinforcements arrive at Mon Cala in the form of two Star Destroyers.
- UPC 759606086665; April 25 , 2018 ; Marvel Comics [1] 01511; Cover A; Elia Bonetti, Giuseppe Camuncoli