Darth Vader (2017) 9

With the Jedi threat looming over the newly formed Empire, Vader is tasked with tracking down a Jedi, under orders from his master, to keep them alive.

Darth Vader journeys through Coruscant in an airspeeder towards the former Jedi Temple, now guarded by both the Coruscant Guards and the Coruscant underworld police. Clone Commander Fox meets him to report the Temple's lockdown, seeking Vader's instructions. Vader declares that entry or exit from the Temple is prohibited without authorization from either the Emperor or himself.

Fox informs Vader that they have two companies of Clone troopers and a large number of Coruscant Security Force members present. When Fox asks about the nature of the threat, Vader questions him about his involvement in Order 66. Upon Fox's confirmation, Vader comments that some Jedi were missed.

Jedi Master Jocasta Nu, meanwhile, confronts the Grand Inquisitor, demanding his identity and criticizing his desecration of the Temple. The Grand Inquisitor, filled with resentment, reminds Nu of her past denials of his requests for access to the higher archives when he was a Jedi. Nu recognizes him and condemns him as a traitor. The Grand Inquisitor retorts that the Jedi are now the traitors, and a lightsaber duel begins.

When Nu questions if he is a Sith, the Grand Inquisitor replies that he is not quite one yet, but close. He expresses his enjoyment of using fury to enhance his dark side abilities. When Nu inquires why he betrayed his brothers and sisters in the Force, the Grand Inquisitor reveals that the Jedi took him from his family during his childhood. Having only been exposed to the light side of the Force, the Inquisitor feels that the Jedi always withheld something from him. He states that the dark side has now filled his emptiness.

When the Inquisitor brings up Master Nu denying him access to the higher archives, she responds that the secrets within the Jedi Archives are intricate, profound, and not suitable for everyone. She explains that she denied his requests because she felt he was not ready, before throwing him aside with the Force. As Master Nu reaffirms her role as a Jedi archivist, the Grand Inquisitor mocks her, declaring that the Jedi Order is gone and she cannot prevent him from obtaining the knowledge he seeks.

The Grand Inquisitor, a skilled lightsaber combatant, gains the advantage and knocks Master Nu to the ground, separating her from her lightsaber. As he prepares to strike her down with his double-bladed spinning lightsaber, Master Nu accepts her fate, stating that she is one with the Force. However, Darth Vader intervenes, blocking the Inquisitor's blade with his lightsaber.

The Grand Inquisitor demands to know why Vader is preventing him from executing Master Nu. Remembering the Emperor's instructions to keep the reason for Master Nu's importance secret from the Inquisitorius, Vader simply states that he does not want her killed. When the Grand Inquisitor presses for a reason, Vader repeats his order. Suspecting Vader's loyalty, the Grand Inquisitor suggests that Vader deactivate his lightsaber as a sign of trust. Vader retorts that he only requires the Inquisitor's obedience.

Capitalizing on Vader and the Grand Inquisitor's conflict, Master Nu uses the Force to throw several holobooks at them. Using the Force, Master Nu runs up a pillar and climbs onto the balcony. While the Inquisitor is knocked out, Vader continues the pursuit. He commands Master Nu to surrender, promising not to harm her. Through the Force, Master Nu senses that Vader is a true Sith who participated in the Great Jedi Purge. Realizing that Vader wants her alive to extract the Archives' secrets, Master Nu activates an authorization code, ordering the Archives' computers to erase all data stored on their holobooks to prevent the Sith from accessing the Jedi Order's knowledge.

Entering the Jedi Archive vault, Vader finds his path obstructed by the security droid Cator, who identifies him as Anakin Skywalker through bioscans. Cator informs Skywalker that his presence in the vault is unauthorized and directs him to follow Master Nu's procedures to request user privileges. Vader throws his lightsaber, but the droid intercepts it. Identifying himself as a guardian-protector of a sensitive area within the Jedi Temple, Cator states that he is programmed to defend against any threat, including Jedi lightsaber attacks. Recognizing Skywalker as a Sith due to his red lightsaber, he orders him to leave.

Vader attacks the droid, tearing off its left arm. The droid retaliates by crushing one of Vader's mechanical hands. Vader finally destroys the droid by smashing its head with his fists. Meanwhile, Master Nu retrieves a lightsaber rifle from within the vault and attacks Vader, knocking him to the ground. She declares that it is now his turn.

• UPC 759606086665; December 6 , 2017 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00911; Cover A; Giuseppe Camuncoli, Francesco Mattina