Darth Vader Lives Out a 'What If' Scenario Where Padmé Survived
Warning! Spoilers for Star Wars: Darth Vader #23
Soon, Darth Vader will live out a popular “what if” scenario in which Padmé survived in Revenge of the Sith. After Anakin Skywalker fell to the dark side, he lost his wife as a consequence, despite his previous efforts to save her. Now that Padmé’s former decoy and handmaiden Sabé is teaming up with Vader, he can easily imagine what it would’ve been like if he succeeded in saving his wife.
Previously in Star Wars: Darth Vader #20, Sabé showed up on the scene with a plan to use Darth Vader for her own purposes. As she bears a striking resemblance to Padmé, she is aware of the unique power she holds with the Sith. It’s also revealed that she knows about Anakin’s son. These pieces of information could play a significant role later on in Darth Vader, written by Greg Pak with art by Raffaele Ienco and a cover by Paul Renaud.
As revealed in a preview on StarWars.com, Darth Vader #23 will follow the new partnership of Darth Vader and Sabé. Based on the released cover for the issue, she appears to be wearing a costume homaging Padmé’s attire in Attack of the Clones. Her black outfit includes the white cloaked cape and white bandages, with an Imperial twist as she holds a blaster. The cover creates a sense of what readers can expect from the issue, as Vader lives out a scenario he had likely thought about many times. The issue also includes variant covers by Chris Sprouse and Takashi Okazaki.
Fans have contemplated what it would have been like if Padmé had lived and witnessed the rise of the Empire with Darth Vader at the helm. Although she would likely not have joined her husband in his reign over the galaxy, it’s a fantasy that would haunt Vader. Just as he is seeing an alternate universe version of Padmé in Sabé, fans can see what it would have been like for her to go down the same path.
Returning to Mustafar where Anakin had Force choked Padmé, Vader stands with Sabé over the lava. It has yet to be revealed what their business is on Mustafar, as it could be related to Fortress Vader. He could also be reliving a cathartic memory, imagining if he had left the planet with Padmé, instead of leaving without his limbs as he was rescued by Emperor Palpatine. Star Wars: Darth Vader #23 releases in May.
More: Star Wars Finally Explains Why Vader Actually Kills So Many Imperials
Source: StarWars.com