Star Wars: Vader Down

Vader Down is the ultimate Star Wars crossover as Luke's quest to uncover the mysteries of the Force and Vader's search to find the Rebel pilot that destroyed the Death Star finally intersect! All of your favorites are here, Leia, Han, Chewie, even new favorites like Doctor Aphra and her murderous droids.

   There are twists, turns, and betrayals galore in this amazing volume by Jason Aaron (Scalped) and Cullen Bunn (Origin II). But what really sets this book apart is the artwork. I have never seen such authentic looking work in a Star Wars comic. The combined efforts of artists Mike Deodato Jr. (Thunderbolts) and Salvador Larroca  (A + X) deserves some sort of award (if it didn't win one already). I mean there were times I'd turn a page to face a X-wing  swooping down at me and I actually ducked outta the way! Plus beautiful covers by Mark Brooks!

   You could read this book as a stand alone and in terms of the Star Wars regular series, you very well could that. But there are so many new characters in the Darth Vader comic, you need to read those issues to  really understand what is going on in Vader’s story immediately after the Battle of Yavin.

  An ideal read as a sort of bookend to Episode IV with Rogue One completing the other end.

  Worth Consuming

  Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars: Darth Vader, Volume 1: Vader

Spiraling out of of the destruction of the Death Star, Darth Vader is number one on the Emperor's $hit list. But the Chosen One has a chance to redeem himself should he find the rebels responsible for attack. Now forced to be subservient to Grand Moff Tarkin's replacement, Admiral Tagge, Vader is given a virtual babysitter in the form of a detestable Imperial Officer who is to oversee the progress of the Dark Lord (Vader's been relegated to the Emperor's crap work.)

Vader is still trying to be loyal to his master, but when the fallen Jedi discovers that Emperor Palpatine already has plan to replace him with genetically altered Sith Lords, Lord Vader goes Rogue… seeking to find the pilot who destroyed the Death Star, make him his apprentice and possibly become the next Emperor!

  This series is a strange combination of Classic Star Wars meets the new trilogy with an unsettling amount of Disney-esque touches. I mean, I am thrilled with all the great cameos like Boba Fett and Jabba mixed with new characters like the precocious archaeologist Doctor Alphra and her pair of torture droids. But throughout this book, there's a hint of House Of Mouse that just doesn't belong in a galaxy far, far away…

  An excellent story by Kieron Gillen (Young Avengers), filled with wonderful artwork by Salvador Larocca (Xtreme X-Men) and killer covers by Alex Ross and Adi Granov. But this book is is missing something and really the only party you can blame for that, wears mouse ears.

  Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.