Darth Vader #6 represents the sixth 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 on October 4, 2017.
On the planet of Coruscant, Darth Sidious observes Darth Vader's damaged armor as it rests upon an automated table. He questions Lord Vader about the reasons for his self-inflicted ruin, yet simultaneously commends his Sith apprentice for the successful acquisition of a Sith lightsaber. Lord Vader is in a state of recovery within a bacta tank. The Emperor assures him that his droids will promptly repair his armor. Through the Force, Lord Vader expresses his displeasure at the notion of droids repairing his armor. Recognizing the armor as an extension of Vader himself, the Emperor grants Lord Vader the autonomy to utilize his engineering skills for its modification. Upon completion, he instructs Vader to present himself, as there is work awaiting him. Following the Emperor's departure, Vader employs his Force abilities to repair his armor telepathically.
Within the confines of the former Jedi Temple, a cloaked figure traverses the hallway, voicing discontent regarding the falsehoods propagated by the Jedi Order. Concurrently, as Vader equips his armor, the Emperor informs him of an intruder within the Temple and commands him to address the situation. The cloaked intruder infiltrates the Jedi Archives, seeking the knowledge that has been previously denied. Vader confronts the intruder, who remains unfazed by the presence of the Sith Lord, and ignites his lightsaber. A lightsaber engage commences between the two.
The cloaked intruder asserts that Vader lacks comprehension of the power he possesses. However, the Sith Lord employs the Force to propel the intruder into a bookcase, resulting in the displacement of numerous holobooks. The intruder, now uncloaked, reveals himself to be the Pau'an known as the Grand Inquisitor, vowing to bring about Vader's demise. As they engage in parrying, the Grand Inquisitor accuses Vader of attempting to pilfer the knowledge within the Archives for personal gain, a transgression he will not permit, as it was promised to him.
Activating his double-bladed spinning lightsaber, he advances toward the armored Lord Vader. In response, Vader reveals that he was merely assessing his suit's capabilities and thwarts the Grand Inquisitor's advance by shattering his blade with his own lightsaber. Stunned by the explosion, the Grand Inquisitor inquires about Vader's identity. Before Vader can deliver a fatal blow, the Emperor intervenes, ordering him to cease. He then introduces a surprised Lord Vader to the Grand Inquisitor. A bewildered Grand Inquisitor recounts that the Emperor granted him authorization to explore the Archives for the purpose of training the Inquisitorius, only to be attacked by this "creature."
When the Grand Inquisitor questions whether Lord Vader is his servant, the Emperor clarifies that Vader serves the Empire and acknowledges his orchestration of the meeting between Vader and the Inquisitor. The Inquisitor emphasizes that Vader nearly killed him, but the Sith Lord dismisses it as a valuable lesson. While the Grand Inquisitor holds the position of first among the Inquisitorius, Sidious reminds him that the Inquisitorius are subservient to the Sith. Upon Vader's inquiry about the Inquisitorius, the Emperor extends an invitation to accompany them to The Works in Coruscant's Industrial District.
Within a former factory, guarded by the Emperor's Royal Guards, the Emperor presents Vader to several Inquisitors, including the Sixth Brother, the Fifth Brother, the Seventh Sister, the Eighth Brother, and the Ninth Sister. Descending to join his fellow Inquisitors, the Grand Inquisitor introduces them to their new Sith master, Lord Vader. The Emperor informs Lord Vader that the Grand Inquisitor was formerly a Jedi who harbored resentment towards the Order for denying him access to the Higher Councils and its secrets. The Emperor capitalized on his discontent with the Order. When Vader questions whether the Emperor intentionally placed him in harm's way, the Emperor assures him that Vader possesses unique qualities and that the Grand Inquisitor could never have prevailed against him.
The Emperor tasks Lord Vader with training the Inquisitorius to eradicate the Jedi "infection" from the galaxy. Vader pledges to commence immediately. The Emperor expresses his satisfaction with Vader's dedication, explaining that while the majority of Jedi perished during the Great Jedi Purge, only the most fortunate, lethal, powerful, and deceitful survived. He charges Vader and the Inquisitorius with hunting down and eliminating the Jedi, deeming them the greatest threat to their Galactic Empire. The comic concludes with a glimpse of Jedi archivist Jocasta Nu concealed within a cave.
- UPC 759606086665; October 4 , 2017 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00611; Cover A; Giuseppe Camuncoli, Francesco Mattina