Darth Vader 5, a part of the comic book series Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017), is the fifth installment in the canon storyline. Charles Soule penned the story, Giuseppe Camuncoli created the illustrations, and Marvel Comics released it on September 6, 2017.
While in hyperspace, Darth Sidious communicates with Darth Vader using a holographic projector, informing him that his mission is nearing completion. He reveals that Darth Vader's droid has instructions to take Vader to Mustafar, a volcanic planet and the site of Vader's recent defeat, once he acquires a Jedi lightsaber. The Emperor commands Vader to locate a dark side nexus beneath Mustafar. The Emperor's intention is for Vader to redeem himself at the location of his greatest defeat.
The Emperor clarifies that even though Jedi Master Kirak Infil'a was defeated, Darth Vader does not truly possess his lightsaber until he corrupts its kyber crystal with the dark side. Following the Emperor's directives, Darth Vader journeys to the dark side nexus, situated within a cave. He is tasked with using his pain and anger to corrupt, or make the kyber crystal "bleed." Inside the cave, Vader discovers a round stone table where he proceeds to take apart the lightsaber. After removing the green kyber crystal, he is hit by a powerful surge of energy.
Vader experiences doubts about his path to the dark side and puts the lightsaber back together. He then has a vision where he returns to Coruscant to present the Emperor with the green lightsaber. The Emperor, realizing that Vader has not fully embraced the dark side, attacks his Sith apprentice. Vader wins the duel and goes to find his former Master Obi-Wan Kenobi. Seeking redemption, Vader kneels before Kenobi, who raises his lightsaber to strike him down. However, Kenobi hesitates, deactivates his lightsaber, and calls Vader by his former name, Anakin.
Waking from the vision, Vader decides that there is no way to turn back from the Sith path, and he uses the dark side to control the kyber crystal. As he channels his anger and hatred into the crystal, he sees visions of the past, including Kenobi, his deceased mother Shmi Skywalker Lars, Padmé Amidala, and the Emperor. The dark side also causes a nearby lava explosion.
Upon returning to Coruscant, Darth Vader barges into the Emperor's Throne Room, throwing two Imperial Royal Guards against the transparisteel windows. The Emperor is in a meeting with Wilhuff Tarkin and Grand Vizier Mas Amedda, discussing a new weapon. The Emperor, telling them he is safe, instructs a surprised Tarkin and Amedda to leave him alone. Vader then presents his Sith master with his new Sith lightsaber.
- UPC 759606086665; September 6 , 2017 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00511; Cover A; Giuseppe Camuncoli, Francesco Mattina 00521; Cover B; Rachel Dodson, Terry Dodson