“We’re here to do the review, 000…”
This article contains spoilers for Darth Vader #10.
Darth Vader #10
Writer: Kieron Gillen | Artist: Salvador Larroca | Colorist: Edgar Delgado | Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna | Cover: Larroca & Delgado
Darth Vader issue 10 opens with Darth Vader destroying yet another link to his heist of the Imperials ingots. The Dragon, an Ortolan arms dealer, pleads with Vader during a raid on his mansion to spare his life, and agrees to reveal everything he knows. Ironically, that is exactly what gets him killed by Vader. Despite the Dragon’s death, Inspector Thanoth manages to retrieve evidence from the Dragon’s safe. Thanoth dismisses Vader while he continues with the investigation and Vader vows to have the “Empire’s Fist” ready to strike the final blow when the time comes.
On Naboo, Dr. Aphra, Triple Zero, BT-1, and a squad of battle droids raid the home of Commodex Than, the mortician that prepared Padme Amidala’s body for burial. After being tortured by Triple Zero, Tahn admits that Padme had given birth to a son before her death, and he made the body appear as if she was still pregnant. Triple Zero then murders Than and Aphra and the droids burn down his home.
Aphra reports on her findings from her Naboo mission to Lord Vader, and then is dispatched on a new mission. Vader is concerned that Karbin, the Mon Cal cyborg, will succeed in the mission assigned to him by Grand General Tagge: to find the pilot that destroyed the Death Star. Therefore, Aphra is to visit the Ante, an information broker previously seen in earlier issues of this series, and acquire information sufficient to locate Luke Skywalker.
The issue concludes with Aphra asking Vader if there is any other problems on the horizon that need to be dealt with. Vader responds that his adjutant is eager and enthusiastic, but nothing to worry about. However, he fails to notice some sort of spy droid hovering over his right shoulder…
Inspector Thanoth continues to perform as the Star Wars galaxy’s equivalent to Sherlock Holmes. Despite Vader’s best efforts to sabotage his investigation, Thanoth still finds a way to retrieve evidence from the miniscule. In true Holmes fashion, Thanoth used a bit of Ortolan trivia to deduce the passcode to the Dragon’s safe. In doing so, he managed to thwart Vader’s latest efforts to stifle his investigation. Considering that Vader is still in power during the events of The Empire Strikes Back, the manner in which Vader finally overcomes Thanoth’s investigation has the potential to be monumental. While Thanoth has been amusing, and it is good to see an Imperial that isn’t incompetent challenge Vader, it seems that it is almost time for this part of the story to be put to rest. Every time Thanoth looks intelligent and clever, Vader comes off as just a little foolish. Vader needs a win over the inspector and fast.
Dr. Aphra’s backstory gets some overdue attention. She favors strength and security given that she grew up during the galactic civil war while the Republic was fighting the Separatists. It wasn’t that the war took her family, it was “scum opportunists” that took advantage of the chaos the war provided. Her decision to follow Darth Vader isn’t nearly as crazy as it once seemed. Vader is nothing if not a strong character. While there is a danger inherent in operating in his service, there are few stronger personalities in the galaxy. If Vader has his way, the galaxy is brought to order, and Aphra gets the security she longs for.
Despite her display of confidence and calculated behavior in completing her mission in Commodex Tahn’s house, Aphra does not appear to be entirely comfortable with what transpired there. After Triple Zero expresses his disapproval of her handling of the situation, because he believes he could have extracted more information through more torture, she admonishes the droid. They were there “to do the job, not be sadists.” Later, as she reports to Vader on her findings, she seems to be absentmindedly shooting at vermin in the cave. Larroca’s art portrays her as partially distracted and ill at ease. In other words, she does the job, but she doesn’t have to like it. For all her talk about strength and order, following through with brutal action and murder is hard to do.
The end of the issue suggests that Darth Vader is unaware that he is being spied upon. The logical conclusion, and the implication from this issue, is that the spy droid or probe has been sent by Inspector Thanoth. However, there is no confirmation that is the case. It could easily be one of Vader’s other rivals, such as the twins, or the Grand General Tagge himself. The biggest immediate danger would have been if the probe was sent by Thanoth and it managed to capture Vader discussing the heist, but Aphra and Vader do not discuss that issue during their meeting. Alternatively, the probe could have been sent by the Emperor or one of his agents. If that is the case, Vader received sensitive information about the child of Padme from Aphra, and that information would be of utmost interest to the Emperor. However, the Emperor only seems to become aware of Luke’s existence through the Force at the time of The Empire Strikes Back (“there is a great disturbance in the Force.”). At least, that is when the Emperor reveals that he knows of the existence of the son of Skywalker. A third alternative is that Grand General Tagge has sent the droid himself in order to spy on Vader and determine whether he is following orders. That possibility seems unlikely as Tagge has already assigned Vader and adjutant. The most likely possibility is that Thanoth sent the probe, but Gillen has provided surprises in this series before, so anything is possible.
The other issue with the droid is that it now gives whomever sent it the knowledge that Vader has employed Dr. Aphra. It would be tactically wise to target Dr. Aphra in order to harm Darth Vader rather than risking a confrontation with the Dark Lord himself. Aphra is by no means incapable of taking care of herself. She has proven otherwise. Furthermore, she has a squad of battle droids plus the services of Triple Zero and BT-1 at her disposal. Despite that, she is a much easier target than Vader, and it won’t be surprising if she becomes a target for Vader’s enemies in future issues.
Darth Vader has dwelled upon Vader’s recovery in the eyes of the Emperor after the Battle of Yavin. Most of his action has been in the shadows. In many ways, this story is how he truly learns the art of acting as a Sith. All that said, it would be satisfying to see Vader take action against the Rebels in some capacity. A confrontation with a Jedi survivor wouldn’t be out of line either. After all, he was the scourge of the Order. The events of The Empire Strikes Back still seem to be a ways off, so many things are possible.
Favorite Panel:
The best scene of this issue was the conversation between Vader and Dr. Aphra after her raid on Commodex Tahn’s home. As Aphra muses on what Padme meant to Tahn, she remarks, “Sounds like she was something special.” Nothing could be closer to the truth for Anakin Skywalker. Vader’s reaction is one of stunned silence and reflection. Aphra has no idea of the nerve she just struck. The awkwardness of the moment practically leaps off the page. This is the favorite panel of the week.
Dennis Keithly is a graduate of the University of Missouri, North Texas attorney, husband, father of two, and co-host of Starships, Sabers, and Scoundrels. In addition to Star Wars, Dennis is a fan of science fiction, fantasy, and super heroes in general. When not engaged in fictional universes, Dennis is reading a good book or watching the NHL, football, or studying the NFL draft.