MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Greg Pak
ART: Ramón Bachs
COLORS: Stéphane Paitreau
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Mark Paniccia
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Akira Yoshida a.k.a. C.B. Cebulski
COVER: Terry Dodson with Rachel Dodson
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Gabriele Dell'Otto; Mike McKone with Guru eFX; Tommy Lee Edwards; Ralph McQuarrie (Concept Design Variant Artist)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2019)
Rated T
“To The Letter”
Darth Vader is one of the most beloved and feared characters in the Star Wars film series. Many fans think that he has the most fascinating character arc in the Star Wars films (although some, like myself, dear readers, would argue Luke Skywalker does). Darth Vader debuted in the original 1977 Star Wars film, but he appears as Anakin Skywalker in the “prequel trilogy” films, and as Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (also known as Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith).
Marvel Comics is currently publishing a new Star Wars maxi-series project that is comprised of three series: Star Wars: Age of Republic (which has been completed), Star Wars: Age of Rebellion, and Star Wars: Age of Resistance. This project will span 30 issues in total (reportedly), with each issue spotlighting one hero or villain from one of three particular Star Wars eras: Republic (prequel trilogy), Rebellion (original trilogy), and Resistance (sequel trilogy).
Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1 is a new release in the Age of Rebellion series. It is written by Greg Pak; drawn by Ramón Bachs; colored by Stéphane Paitreau, and lettered by Travis Lanham. This issue, which is set after the events depicted in Revenge of the Sith, finds Vader having to bend his knee to an Imperial bureaucrat.
Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1 (“To the Letter”) opens on the “Mid Rim” world of Namzor. Aboard a Star Destroyer, its commander, Governor Ahr, seethes after Darth Vader goes against his wishes. When he takes his complaint against Vader to Emperor Palpatine, Ahr is surprised by the result. Vader, however, realizes that he has something left to prove and to learn.
The few “Age of” Star Wars comic books that I have read have been average, good, and really good. Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1, like the recent Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Luke Skywalker #1, is one of the really good issues. The best entries in this series offer insight into the characters or into their relationships or focus on some stage of character development. Darth Vader does both. Without spoiling the story, I can say that writer Greg Pak presents a nifty tale showcasing the badness we expect from Vader and Palpatine.
Artist Ramón Bachs is an interesting choice for this story. For one, his graphical style is appropriate for science fiction comics. Secondly, his graphical interpretation of Darth Vader recalls the designs for the villain executed by the late Ralph McQuarrie. It is as if the earliest version of Darth Vader has finally come to life, and Bachs presents him as a tall, dark, menacing figuring. In this story, Vader is a black wraith stomping through this story to bring death.
Colorist Stéphane Paitreau adds layers of hues that have a threatening aura. Letterer Travis Lanham have been providing excellent work on these AOR titles, and continues to do so here. Lanham especially strikes a dark note on Palpatine's dialogue. Star Wars: Age of Rebellion – Darth Vader #1 is a thoroughly enjoyable read, and I hope the next arc, Age of Resistance, can offer a least one or two issues as good a this Darth Vader comic book.
8 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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