Target Vader 1

THE HUNTER! DARTH VADER is actively pursuing a clandestine criminal organization that operates independently of THE EMPIRE's authority. Unbeknownst to him, a collection of the galaxy's most lethal bounty hunters are tracking him, having been commissioned by the syndicate to eliminate Vader once and for all. This diverse group of assassins, spearheaded by the disgraced Imperial Officer BEILERT VALANCE, is determined to do whatever it takes to claim the biggest bounty of their careers.

On the planet Fikari, a contingent of Hidden Hand mercenaries are in discussion regarding the recent killings of three clans, perpetrated by Darth Vader. Uro, a member of the group, acknowledges the inherent risk associated with the Hidden Hand's covert operations. However, Holaq expresses the belief that Vader's involvement will lead to the organization's ultimate demise. In the midst of their conversation, Darth Vader stealthily approaches the group, silently eliminating all members except for Holaq. Vader, after crushing Holaq's blaster, demands information regarding the location of the Hidden Hand. Holaq, however, asserts his ignorance. Vader, seemingly convinced, proceeds to kill him, and then communicates with Emperor Palpatine through a hologram. Palpatine voices his disappointment over yet another dead end, stressing the importance of eradicating the Hidden Hand for their role in supplying weapons to the Rebel Alliance. Unbeknownst to either Sith Lord, a nearby Tarsunt secretly listens in on their exchange.

On Coruscant, the bounty hunter Xonr makes his way to BG-RT's Tavern and Spirits, where he discovers Beilert Valance in a drunken stupor at a table. Xonr takes a seat and aims a blaster at Valance, intending to exact revenge for the theft of five of his bounties, a violation of the Bounty Hunter Code. Valance requests to finish his drink and gestures towards several other Bounty Hunters' Guild members who are already surrounding him. Xonr questions Valance's decision to allow himself to be so easily cornered, but Valance retorts that he intentionally lured the hunters in. He then eliminates Xonr with a charge from his cybernetic hand, stating that the rules of their code "don't apply to the dead." Valance proceeds to kill the remaining hunters in the bar before ordering another drink.

As Valance heads back to his ship, the Broken Wing, he intercepts the Tarsunt who had been tailing him. The alien identifies himself as Gwi, a messenger representing the Hidden Hand, and proposes to clear Valance's debts in return for joining a team on a mission. Valance initially declines, citing his personal rules about knowing his employers and working independently. However, he reconsiders when Gwi reveals that their target is Darth Vader. Gwi then introduces Valance to the team: Honnah, a Gamorrean tracker; Urrr'k, a sniper; Chio Fain, a "possibly insane" slicer; Arr-Nine-Nineteen, a droid claiming to have hunted Jedi; and Dengar, an acquaintance of Valance. Citing his third personal rule against droids, Valance destroys Arr-Nine, exposing him as a debtor being tracked by the Hutt Clan. With the team now secure from rival syndicates, Valance motivates his team and they embark on their mission to kill Vader.

On Yuw, Darth Vader launches an assault on more bounty hunters, who all deny any association with the Hidden Hand. Vader decides to spare one survivor, requesting information regarding a plot to assassinate him.

In the Fellio Asteroid Belt, a rebel base receives confirmation that the hunters have initiated their mission. Officer Aeliar expresses her satisfaction with the progress, expressing hope that with Vader's demise, the Rebellion will be able to secure the Hidden Hand's weaponry.

• UPC 759606093960; July 3 , 2019 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00111; Cover A; Nic Klein 00121; Cover B; Lucasfilm Ltd. 00131; Cover C; Carmen Carnero 00141; Cover D; Marco Checchetto