We don't want some tortured monologue revealing his innermost thoughts as he mows down his enemies. He's a villain that needs to remain aloof and distant to a certain extent. It's an approach that especially suits Vader. This approach has really helped give these comics a more cinematic tone that brings them closer to the old films in a way many Expanded Universe comics haven't achieved over the years. Everything is conveyed purely through dialogue and visuals. Like Jason Aaron's Star Wars (to which this series is loosely intertwined), there's no internal monologue or narration at work. Gillen captures all of this with subtlety. This is a villain with much to prove, even as he begins wrestling with the mystery of Obi-Wan's young apprentice. One of the best scenes in this issue sees Palpatine berating Vader for his mistakes. This comic opens during a low point for Vader, as his failures at Yavin IV and other recent battles have cost the Empire a vital super-weapon, countless troops and officers, and the ability to enforce Emperor Palpatine's rule. At the same time, there's an inkling of the trauma and anger motivating the villain. Gillen immediately sets about reminding readers why Vader was such a dreaded figure with in his heyday as the villain intimidates others and unleashes both lightsaber and Force abilities. He's definitely the imposing, frightening figure he was in the Original Trilogy. Gillen manages to walk the delicate line when it comes to portraying Vader.
This is a very different comic for all sorts of reasons, but there's already the kernel of something great here. His Journey Into Mystery run was phenomenal.
Not because I'm looking forward to any scenes of Vader rocking out to Brit-pop (though I wouldn't say no to that), but because of Gillen's talent for writing iconic villains in a unique and sympathetic light. Gillen was a wise choice to helm the series. And while Marvel's core Star Wars comic has gotten off to a perfectly respectable start, Darth Vader #1 is a superior read.
Vader is very much the central protagonist of Marvel's second ongoing Star Wars comic, as writer Kieron Gillen and artist Salvador Larroca explore his role in the galaxy following the events of Episode IV and the destruction of the first Death Star. Not so with Marvel's new Darth Vader comic.
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