Darth Vader Is Finally Answering the Prequel Trilogy's Last Question
Warning! Contains a preview for Darth Vader #23
The Darth Vader comic series is going to answer one of the Star Wars prequel trilogy's final questions: What happens when those who knew Anakin as a boy discover he's now Darth Vader? Going beyond those who've known the truth ever since Anakin Skywalker was seduced by the dark side of the Force in Revenge of the Sith, a new preview for Marvel's Darth Vader #23 is teasing that figures from Vader's past are on the path to discovering who he once was. As such, there's no telling how the Dark Lord of the Sith will react when the truth finally comes out.
In previous issues of Marvel's ongoing Darth Vader series from Greg Pak and Raffaele Ienco, the Dark Lord of the Sith has been punished for his failures in Empire Strikes Back. He's been shown his master's true power and plans on the hidden Sith world of Exegol, and is now hunting down Crimson Dawn following the War of the Bounty Hunters crossover event. However, the rejection Vader received from his son Luke has also motivated an investigation into the particulars of his wife's death and son's birth, leading to his return to Tatooine as well as Naboo. In doing so, the Sith lord has crossed paths with a vengeful Sabé, his late wife's handmaiden known as the Queen's Shadow. Seeing as how Sabé tried to kill Vader with an assembled group of Naboo warriors looking to avenge the murders of Padmé and Anakin, it became clear that none of them knew the real truth that Anakin lived to become Vader.
While it was believed that Vader had killed Naboo fighters who called themselves the Amidalans, more recent issues have revealed Sabé's survival and that she is now working with Crimson Dawn. She's also found the partial records of Padmé giving birth to Luke before her death, her last words being that there was still good in Anakin. Combined with the new details for Darth Vader #23 provided by StarWars.com, it seems to be only a matter of time before Sabé learns that Darth Vader is really Anakin Skywalker. Here's the newly released cover art and synopsis for the upcoming issue:
- STAR WARS: DARTH VADER #23
- GREG PAK (W) • RAFFAELE IENCO (A)
- Cover by PAUL RENAUD
- VARIANT COVER BY CHRIS SPROUSE
- JAPANESE CREATOR VARIANT BY TAKASHI OKAZAKI
- “THE SHADOW’S SHADOW’S SHADOW”
- An epic new story begins as DARTH VADER embarks upon a new mission in partnership with a sworn enemy — but who’s leading whom to doom?
- And what happens when the QUEEN’S SHADOW learns the deepest secret of the Dark Lord of the Sith?
- Plus: the shocking return of a face from Vader’s most distant past!
Not only does the issue synopsis all but confirm that Sabé will soon learn the truth about Vader and Padmé's death, it also teases the return of someone else who might have also known Anakin before he turned to the dark side. The cover art also depicts Sabé and Vader standing side by side as if they're united. However, it's unclear if this is before or after Sabé learns the truth. While one might assume that Sabé would seek to kill Vader even more after learning that he was once Anakin, she's also heard Padmé's last words. Will Sabé end her quest to kill Vader in the hopes that he can be redeemed as Padmé hoped he could be with her dying breath?
However Sabé (and Vader) will react when the truth is revealed, it's going to be an intense ride as Marvel's Darth Vader continues from Marvel Comics. Whatever ends up happening, it will be yet another step towards the Dark Lord's eventual redemption in Return of the Jedi. Thankfully, fans won't have to wait long before Darth Vader's greatest secret will be revealed with the issue being scheduled for release in May.
Source: StarWars.com