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Marvel's Star Wars Darth Vader #12

Discussion in 'Star Wars: Books & Comics + Legends' started by Hard Case, Nov 11, 2015.

  1. Hard Case

    Hard Case Porg Whisperer
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    [​IMG]

    Following an explosive first arc in the Darth Vader series, issue #12 brings the much less interesting second arc, Shadows and Secrets, to an end. Admittedly, the last couple of issues have been an improvement, but I feel like overall this story arc never hit the stride it was aiming for. That being said, the final issue in this arc had some satisfying bits and some interesting hints at what's to come.

    Spoilers ahead...

    This issue picks up immediately after the last issue, with Thanoth and Vader chasing the thief (Dr. Aphra) down on Anthan. Vader, in an obvious attempt to cover his involvement with the theft, informs Thanoth that they are wasting their time chasing a petty thief. He proposes that they abandon chasing Aphra and move to destroy the rebel group known as the Plasma Devils. They learned of the location of the rebels in the previous issue and decide to move in on their location after Vader convinces Thanoth that this is the right move.

    [​IMG]

    The next few pages show the Sith lord obliterating the rebels in typical Vader fashion, and we soon learn that Tagge approves of Vader's decision to move on the rebels, thus smoothing things over a little bit and bringing a much wanted end to the back and forth cat and mouse game with Vader and Thanoth as well.

    [​IMG]

    At the end of the issue, Vader responds to a message by Aphra and goes to her location where he chokes the information of Luke's whereabouts from her. Aphra convinces Vader to spare her, since she can still prove useful, to which he obliges, stating that she better not make him regret it. Apparently, Luke is on Vrogas Vos at an old Jedi temple. Vader is perplexed by this as there is no known Jedi temple on Vrogas Vos. The issue concludes with Vader heading off to find Skywalker at the Jedi temple, a task that he says he must accomplish alone. The story of Vader's search for Luke will pick up with the Star Wars & Darth Vader crossover event next week with Vader Down #1.

    [​IMG]

    The artwork in the issue was pretty typical of what we have come to expect with the Vader series, with some cool action sequences, but nothing really stands out in the art department. The story was a nice conclusion to the second arc, but lacked anything really dynamic or surprising. All in all, it's not a bad issue, but I am hopeful that Vader Down will bring back the feels that the first arc brought us. The Star Wars titular series has been pretty amazing as of late and I look forward to how the events of that series will affect the Darth Vader series moving forward after the crossover event.

    Darth Vader #12 is certainly not a "Go to your local comic shop right now and pick this up!" kind of issue, but I do recommend picking it up and reading it before next Wednesday when the Vader Down event begins as you will have wanted to have read this issue first for story purposes. Remember to support your local comic shops, and may the Force be with you!

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 Hard Case, Nov 11, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2015
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  2. Use the Falchion

    Use the Falchion Jedi Contrarian

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    @Hard Case, great interview, and thanks for posting the Vader Down issue list! Yeah, I liked the issue but it wasn't my favorite in the arc. That being said, I think that Vader has had the most consistent arc shifts and connections out of all of the new series. I liked the ending, how we thought about Thanoth(?) being the enemy the whole time, yet he isn't. It actually makes me sadder because his death is still inevitable if he stays in the Darth Vader comics.

    That's where I think this arc shines - it's a cat-and-mouse story. It doesn't need big moments or surprises (but I think Vader confirming Luke is Padme's son is a good one).

    In the end, I liked the issue, I loved the arc, and I can't wait for Vader Down!
     
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  3. LadyMusashi

    LadyMusashi Archwizard Woo-Woo-in-Chief
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    Solid issue. Yes, the last couple of issues picked the story up a bit so the arc left me with overall positive feeling, but it still cannot be compared to the first arc which was superior in every way. I liked Thanoth and I have a feeling he knows more about Vader than he shows. I hope he will appear again. Aphra - that was a close call, girl! Is-he-going-to-murder-me-this-time stage of relationship never ends with Vader. :D

    And, the answer to what happened to all these secondary characters (Karbin, twins, etc.) will be answered when the Vader Down ends - he will obliterate the traitors. :D

    I cannot wait for Vader Down - cornered lion is the most dangerous lion. I am ready for super badass Vader. :)
     
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  4. Kyle

    Kyle Guest

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    Great review, @Hard Case! I loved this issue. I am pretty excited to see Vader get his groove back. I have a feeling Vader Down is going to be something pretty cool. Should be interesting to see what becomes of Aphra in the future as well.
     
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  5. Darby

    Darby Rebel Official

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    My favorite part of this arc is Aphra's working relationship with Vader. She was way too comfortable in the first arc. Not so much now. Still my favorite series of the bunch.
     
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  6. AlienofDoom

    AlienofDoom Rebel General

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    There are several things I like about this issue, most specifically the Aphra/Vader conclusion which was good.
    However I felt like the start was a weak resolution to the cliffhanger we got in the last issue, and some of the action just didn't quite flow for me (though nothing *too* severe).

    Overall I thought "Shadows and Secrets" was a serviceable arc. It did a good job of moving the story along and gave Aphra some nice and interesting things to do, but it wasn't as great as I though "Vader" was.
     
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  7. Darth NRM

    Darth NRM Rebelscum

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    I've read every single Star Wars comic and i must say " The Marvel 2.0 take on the Star Wars Comics have been very disappointing".

    Despite "Dart Vader" presented one of my favorite marvel writers, Kieron "Uber" Gillon, and the starting 4-5 issues being actually pretty cool, this series is starting to die very, very fast. "Darth Vader" as putting a bad issue after a bad issue, and this one is just another really Bad Issue. Does anybody in Marvel figured out that Darth Vader is BAD, no he's EVIL.

    After manifesting my disagreement over the direction "Darth Vader" is taking, what about the other Marvel Star Wars Comics:

    Star Wars V4 - Nothing happened or happens in this series, Jason Aaron keeps retelling OT
    Kanan - The first Arc was good, why continue what we can follow on Rebels?
    Shattered Empire - Not bad but definitely not good, please forget about the Jedi Tree fast
    Chewbacca - this is really bad
    "Leia" was cool and "Lando" was very good but if compared with other minis from SW EU they're just average

    I always compare Marvel and DC, Marvel might have amazing characters but their stories are so LAME, instead DC have outdated characters but actually pretty good stories once you passed the character (EX: Wonder Woman is a bad an outdated character but you can't find one bad storie of Her).

    Remember Marvel's first run on SW Comics? (to me those were painfull days)

    Are we facing the DEATH of Star Wars Comics?

    Edit:

    I really like "HardCase" reviews despite not agreeing in mutch of them.
    Think i'm just bitter from missing my favorite comics, why they have to kill "LEGACY" for me?
     
    #7 Darth NRM, Nov 12, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2015
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  8. Kuroth Wain

    Kuroth Wain Rebel General

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    Yeah, I did not like that at all... Not the attempt part, but how the so savvy Thanoth just let it drop...

    I mostly agree..

    I think the Vader comic has been dropping and dropping for me... I don't see the need to have the 3PO and R2 dark-side ripoffs and Aphra kind of annoys me, probably from the beginning:
    I hope it picks back up for me with Vader Down...

    Agree that the Chewie one is not great, to put it mildly, and I liked both Leia's and Lando's.
    I feel that the Chewie (and I expect the announced C-3PO one, for that matter) is a bit of a waste at the price they are charging. The same $3.99 if it is a Chewie "side-quest" or if it is Star Wars main title or the Vader one (and even those I think are overpriced)...

    Now the parts I do not agree as much:
    The Star Wars main title as been growing on me with each issue..
    I really like the Kanan comic, and that they are going for his training with Depa Billaba, now.
    And I also liked Shattered Empire a lot... *these are not the Jedi Trees you are looking for*
     
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  9. Hard Case

    Hard Case Porg Whisperer
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    I subscribed to the Marvel Unlimited service earlier this year. It has been a great investment for me as they have the majority of the legacy comics originally published by dark horse on there. I've been re-reading a lot of these comics and I have to say I agree with you on the legacy stuff. While I disagree with you on the new stuff being bad (I actually disliked Leia though - which you liked - but to each his own :) ), I have to agree that a lot of the older legacy stuff is still heads above some of the stuff we've gotten in the new Canon so far. I think Kanan is phenomenal though and am hopeful about the post TFA material as I feel that a lot of story constraints will be lifted at that point allowing for more creativity and originality.
     
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  10. Kuroth Wain

    Kuroth Wain Rebel General

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    Just a quick question, do the new titles go to Marvel Unlimited too? How soon?
    Or do you buy these issues separately?
     
  11. Hard Case

    Hard Case Porg Whisperer
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    The window is six months. Pretty much everything eventually gets on there, but if you want to stay current you have to buy the issues. I guess if you could read everything for $9.99 a month no one would be buying comics. :) The latest stuff on there is what was released back in May of this year.
     
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  12. Kuroth Wain

    Kuroth Wain Rebel General

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    Ok, thanks! The only ones that I really need current are the SW ones, so I would still have to buy those :)
    But the gains from stopping to buy my other comic runs at $3.99 each issue... It is probably worth the waiting...
    I'll have to think about it..

    On the other hand, my wife complaints that I read too many comics has it is now! Imagine with an entire "Unlimited" catalog...
     
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  13. Hard Case

    Hard Case Porg Whisperer
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    Yeah, I know. I read a lot of other Marvel properties and it's getting hard to keep up with all the new series - especially the Secret Wars tie-ins. I have narrowed my pull list down to All-New All-Different Avengers, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Amazing Spider-Man, and Extraordinary X-Men. Everything else I'll just wait for it to pop up in the unlimited service.
     
  14. Kuroth Wain

    Kuroth Wain Rebel General

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    Right.. I ended up not following secret wars at all because of all the tie-ins and because I knew there would be a reboot at the end of it.
    Not counting all the Star Wars, I'm with the Invincible Iron Man, picked up the Ultimates but haven't read it yet, and then I want to follow the new Spider-man (with Miles)..
    I'm still undecided about the new Guardians of the Galaxy and Deadpool, I like the characters but this ends up being expensive...

    Your list is bigger then mine, though, and you still went for the unlimited... I'm almost convinced!
     
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  15. Hard Case

    Hard Case Porg Whisperer
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    Oh, I forgot about Spider-Man with Miles Morales. I'll be getting that one too. I like Deadpool too, but yeah I drew the line with those five. It does get expensive that's for sure.
     
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  16. Darth Daigo

    Darth Daigo Rebel Official

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    For me, it is a rather disappointing ending. Unless Thanoth has something up his sleeve, I am somewhat baffled that he decided to let Aphra escape. Maybe Vader Down will be better.
     
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  17. Darth NRM

    Darth NRM Rebelscum

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    I'm probably the biggest comics fanatic you'll ever now, and actually Star Wars started all this because i startd reading the Old Marvel Star Wars Mags when i was 7-8 and never stop since then.

    Only got one rule, no Super-Heroes (apart from Batman, but i can't read the monthlys just the hard cased specials or collections). I stoped readding Super-Heores in my 13-14, and i've read all the X-Men and Spider-Man i could get until then, but just came to my mind that Super-Geroe Comics, namelly Marvel ones, were very poor quality and their stories wad became so bad over my growth (think i outsmat them).

    Favorite Comics around today: Crossed, Providence (i'm the ultimate Alan Moore guy), American Vampire, God is Dead, Uber, We Stand On Guard, RunLoveKill, Rebels, Savior, The Fade Out, Injection, Fight Club 2. And i think you guys should check stuff that ended not long ago like: Scalped, Northlanders, DMZ and others.
     
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  18. Admiral Petty

    Admiral Petty Force Sensitive

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    While I can see your points, even though I disagree on some of them, I strongly disagree with your statement regarding Marvel and DC. Both have good and bad stories and both have good and bad characters(and I can find plenty of bad Wonder Woman stories btw ;)). The fact is, the majority of creators that work at one company will also end up working at the other in their career. One of my favorite writers/artists of all time, Frank Miller, did groundbreaking work at both companies in the 80s in particular. While one's taste in comics is a personal matter, I have always disagreed with arguments that present X comic company as bad and Y comic company as good. I'm a Marvel guy at heart, but my favorite character is from DC(Batman). Even though I prefer Marvel, you'll find plenty of DC trades on my bookshelf as well. At the end of the day I just like a well told story with good characterization, and I believe both companies have plenty of those for the discerning fan who doesn't mind a little research.

    As for what you say regarding the comparison between the EU/Legends comics and the Marvel comics, I somewhat agree. I am largely enjoying Marvel's output, although I thought the Leia series was downright disappointing and the Chewie series is just OK. I will say that I have read some better stuff in the EU, but I've also read plenty of lame stuff in the EU. I think realistically, just like the EU, the new canon material will have some great stories, some good stories, some OK stories and some bad stories. It's inevitable really, especially with so many different creators who will be involved as time goes on.

    I will say this, with the new approach to canon, it is less likely that we will be getting as many sweeping epic stories as we got in the EU, namely because they will be saving a lot of that stuff for the films rather than the other less consumed forms of media.
     
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  19. Hard Case

    Hard Case Porg Whisperer
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    The Official Star Wars site has a preview page up for this week's Vader Down #1 one-shot that kicks off the event. Check out the images...

    Vader Down Cover.JPG Vader Down Preview 1.JPG Vader Down Preview 2.JPG Vader Down Preview 3.JPG Vader Down Preview 4.JPG

    It will be interesting seeing a different artist's take on Aphra. If the above image is anything to go by, this new artist seems to have gone the over-sexualized Jessica Rabbit route, which is a little disappointing. I look forward to seeing what Immonen does with the character (if she's even in the story past the first issue). I will point out (although I no longer stand by this speculation) that she has never looked more like Felicity Jones than she does in the panel above. :)
     
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  20. Addi Ras

    Addi Ras MASTER TEA MAKER
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    This defiantly on my must buy list both as an individual comic & then whenever the whole collection is released Vader versus 3 squads of rebel fighters (it`s almost a fair fight after all how many did he take out in the Death Star attack)

    My condolences to all the victims of the Paris attack
     
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