The one-shot comic issue Darth Vader Annual 1 is part of the Star Wars: Darth Vader comic book series. This issue tells the story of Darth Vader's journey to the planet Shu-Torun where he puts down a rebellion against the Galactic Empire; it also acts as an introduction to the Shu-Torun War story arc. Marvel Comics published Darth Vader Annual 1 on December 16, 2015, with writing by Kieron Gillen and illustrations by Leinil Yu.
The King of Shu-Torun is in conversation with his three offspring: Monthan, his eldest son and successor; Hollian, his second child and daughter, who is the Celebrant Warlord and leads their War-Faith; and Trios, his third child and daughter. He informs Trios that her blood will be used in different ways.
Darth Vader arrives on the volcanic Mid Rim world of Shu-torun in his TIE Advanced x1 starfighter. Princess Trios greets the Sith Lord. He expresses his displeasure that the King did not meet him in person, instead sending his youngest daughter. Trios apologizes, explaining that her father is not as quick as he once was. She invites the Sith Lord to a celebration in the Abyssal Rooms below. Vader, however, has no time for niceties and informs Trios that he is here to address her father's failure to meet his production targets. Vader tells her that he has brought a gift, a reminder that the Galactic Empire can be both a strong ally and a deadly foe.
After Lord Vader gets out, the Imperial assassin droids Triple Zero and Beetee leave Vader's starfighter for a "very important mission." Triple Zero assures Beetee that he can't shoot everyone and mentions that he has brought all of his poisons. Princess Trios escorts Vader to the Abyssal Rooms, where the Shu-Torun nobility are participating in the Shu-Torun counter-bore waltz. Trios explains to Vader that dancing is how the Ore-dukes entertain themselves after their strenuous labor, but Lord Vader remains unimpressed.
Meanwhile, Triple Zero and Beetee are unable to enter the palace grounds due to a lack of clearance. They deceive a servant droid into entering a room where Beetee destroys it and steals its transponder. He informs Beetee that he disabled its pain receptors before extracting its data core, assuring his astromech counterpart that he is not a barbarian.
Duke Rubix presses Lord Vader to dance with his daughter, but Vader declines. Vader uses the Force to throw Duke Rubix to the ground. Suddenly, an earth borer breaks into the Abyssal Rooms and releases several armed rebel soldiers who oppose the Empire and the King. Darth Vader uses his lightsaber to deflect their blaster bolts and kills them. He demands to see the King immediately.
Princess Trios claims that the main elevators are being watched by treasonous dukes and leads him through the tunnels. Watching the events unfold on a holoscreen, the King expresses dissatisfaction with his assassins and laments having to sacrifice his daughter. Triple Zero and Beetee offer beverages to the unaware King, Monthan, and Hollian.
While traveling through the tunnel, Lord Vader senses Trios' fear and tells the Princess that she is a commendable young woman and that her father would be proud. Shortly after, molten lava begins pouring through the vents above. Sensing her determination, Vader tells Trios that she demonstrates a commendable willingness to sacrifice for the greater good. She claims there is no escape, but Vader uses the Force to cut a circle in the tunnel. He then uses the Force to propel himself and Trios to safety. While carrying Trios, he ascends a set of stairs and a maintenance hatch.
The King is horrified that Lord Vader escaped his trap and orders his guards to seal the doors immediately. Triple Zero attempts to serve the King some poisoned drinks, but the King is not in the mood for a drink and throws them aside. Triple Zero then agrees to Beetee's plan to eliminate the King and his family through other means. When Trios awakens, she discovers that Lord Vader has reached the palace and killed more guards. Attempting to fulfill her duty, Trios tries to shoot Vader, but the Sith Lord cuts off her right hand, disarming her.
Vader then forces his way into the throne room, where Beetee and Triple Zero have already killed the King, her older siblings, and his guards. Triple Zero praises Beetee for shooting the targets in the heart as Princess Trios attends to her dead father. Lord Vader then presents her with pieces from Alderaan, telling her that it reminds her of worlds who resist the Emperor. He warns Trios that the rebels' belief that they can withstand the Death Star is mistaken. With Princess Trios' family dead, he crowns her as Queen of Shu-Torun.
When Trios informs him that the ore-dukes are resistant to tithes, Lord Vader tells her that they will be pacified by a wise monarch and her powerful friends. He informs her that Shu-Torun is hers to govern but cautions her not to forget who she serves.
- UPC 759606083695; December 16 , 2015 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00111; Cover A; Leinil Yu 00121; Cover B; Blank