Darth Vader #19 marks the nineteenth installment in the official comic book series Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017), considered canon. Charles Soule penned the story, Giuseppe Camuncoli provided the illustrations, and Marvel Comics released it on August 8, 2018.
Eeth Koth, previously a Jedi Master, witnesses the birth of a girl to his wife, Mira. Before Koth gets the chance to embrace his daughter, Darth Vader forcefully enters the birthing chamber. Eeth Koth implores the Sith Lord to spare his existence, asserting that he poses no further danger. Koth informs Vader that he now serves as a priest within the Church of the Ganthic Enlightenment, tending to his followers and presiding over ceremonies.
Koth maintains that he no longer holds allegiance to the Jedi Order due to his exclusion from the Jedi Council. Concurrently, Mira requests the medical droid to hand her the newborn. He attempts to bargain for information about the Jedi with Lord Vader, but the Sith Lord remains indifferent. Koth employs the Force to propel the medical droid through a nearby wall, enabling Mira and their daughter to escape. A lightsaber duel then ensues between Lord Vader and Koth.
Vader detects the fear, rage, and bitterness residing within Koth, mocking him for abandoning his Jedi path. Koth retorts that it is the Zabrak part of him influencing his actions. With nothing left to forfeit, Koth engages Vader in a fierce battle. Lord Vader commands his Inquisitors, namely the Fifth Brother, Tualon Yaluna, and Thirteenth Sister, to secure the child. When the Fifth Brother inquires about Mira, Lord Vader dismisses her as insignificant. Koth adamantly refuses to allow Vader and the Inquisitors to seize his wife and offspring, vowing to safeguard his loved ones as a father.
The Fifth Brother persuades his companions to separate in order to enhance their search efforts. Akaris concurs, presuming that the pregnant Mira could not have traveled far. She utilizes her Force abilities to pinpoint the child's presence. Meanwhile, Lord Vader gains dominance over Koth by employing a Force choke. The red Inquisitor intercepts Mira before she and her daughter can board a Star Commuter 2000 with her father. Appealing to the red Inquisitor as a fellow woman, Mira begs her not to take her child.
Akaris permits the mother to depart with her child, much to the astonishment and frustration of her fellow Inquisitors. Aboard the ship, Mira insists to her father that they must return for Koth. In response, the father explains that Koth desired their escape. However, the red Inquisitor employs her Force powers to levitate the child through an opening in the shuttle. The mother emits a cry of anguish as the red Inquisitor rejoices in her success. The black Inquisitor admits that he should never have doubted her.
Akaris, filled with glee, asserts that Mira erred in appealing to her as a woman. She comments that Mira will never again place trust in another woman or any other individual. By seizing her baby, she has effectively stolen her soul. A devastated Mira pleads with her father to turn back for her daughter. Mira's father replies that they are no match for the Inquisitors. He assures his daughter that they spared her baby and expresses hope for a future reunion with his granddaughter. Mira questions the Inquisitors' motives for taking her daughter.
Concurrently, Koth pledges to rescue his family, but Lord Vader unsettles him by revealing that his Inquisitors have captured his daughter. As Koth reacts with horror and despair, Lord Vader seizes the opportunity to impale him from behind, resulting in his death. After the red Inquisitor hands him the baby, Lord Vader utilizes the dark side to silence the wailing child through intimidation.
Lord Vader and the Inquisitors arrive back at The Works with Mira's daughter in their possession. They are greeted by the Grand Inquisitor and two masked figures garbed in red. After exchanging greetings, the Grand Inquisitor commends Lord Vader for capturing a child but suggests that the "Seekers" could have accomplished the task themselves. Vader proclaims that he achieved success on all fronts by eliminating Eeth Koth. He acknowledges that the Inquisitors have performed their roles effectively. While the masked red figures attend to Mira's daughter, the Grand Inquisitor leads Vader away for a private conversation.
The Grand Inquisitor presents Lord Vader with a list of surviving Jedi, including Yoda, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Coleman Kcaj, Oppo Rancisis, Selrahc Eluos, and Ka-Moon Kholi, displayed on a holoprojector. The Grand Inquisitor informs Lord Vader that these Jedi fugitives have proven difficult to locate. When Vader inquires about his proposal, the Grand Inquisitor suggests continuing Project Harvester in the hope that the fugitives fall into their trap, stating that they simply need to be patient.
Later, Vader enters a meditative state inside a bacta tank. After repairing his damaged panel, he engages in combat with a training droid. Subsequently, several Inquisitors, including the black Twi-lek, the red humanoid woman, the Grand Inquisitor, the Eighth Brother, the Second Sister, the Seventh Sister, and the Fifth Brother, gather in a cantina. Yaluna and Akaris, celebrating their recent kill, consume dust juice sourced from the planet where they killed Koth. The Thirteenth Sister has established a tradition of sampling local beverages after eliminating a Jedi.
Yaluna expresses her desire for their next Jedi target to be located on Corellia or Alderaan, as they offer superior drink options. Akaris observes that the Jedi population will soon be extinct and questions what Vader will do once the Jedi hunt concludes. Yaluna suggests that Vader maintains a demanding schedule and will always discover someone to eliminate. At that moment, Lord Vader appears behind the Inquisitors and activates his lightsaber.
The primary cover art for the comic book is a reimagining of Tom Jung's style A poster for Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.
In Darth Vader 19, a panel displays a roster of surviving Jedi. Two of the names listed are "Selrahc Eluos" and "Ka-Moon Kholi," which represent tuckerisms of author Charles Soule and artist Giuseppe Camuncoli, respectively.
- UPC 759606086665; August 8 , 2018 ; Marvel Comics [1] 01911; Cover A; Elia Bonetti, Giuseppe Camuncoli 01921; Cover B; Rod Reis