Darth Vader #13

Darth Vader #13

Writer: Kieron Gillen
Story By: Jason Aaron and Kieron Gillen
Artist: Salvador Larroca
Colorist: Edgar Delgado
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Mark Brooks

“Blood whole worlds dry, Rebels. You will not keep me from the boy.” -Darth Vader

The team behind the Darth Vader series brings out their A-game for Darth Vader #13. This is part two in the six part Vader Down cross-over series. We see more of Vader slaughtering the Rebels as they try in vain to take him down. Elsewhere, Luke searches the ruins of a Jedi temple, and Dr. Aphra and her death droids go human hunting. It’s an issue that packs a punch.

First off, the artwork is great. Quite simply, it’s awesome. The linework, the colors, the layouts, it’s all top notch. Salvador does a good job of capturing the character likenesses. Meanwhile, Delgado keeps things vivid with a shifting palette of colors.

The story is simple enough, but there were two great moments that really stood out. First and foremost was Vader’s line about bleeding worlds. What that dropped, I just sat back and smiled. THIS was the Vader I wanted to see. It was sheer awesomeness because while the story is straightforward, Vader’s actions make it great. He uses the Force to become a one-man army. He even taps into his mechanical skills to create booby traps. And it all fits together naturally.

The other highlight was Aphra and the death droids. The dialog between her, Beetee and Triple-Zero was darkly delicious. I loved her line of thought as she reasoned through the situation, but best of all was her plan take on Luke. It was simple and brilliant.

Vader Down is really turning out great and Darth Vader #13 was fantastic. I give it a five out of five metal bikinis.

Reviewed By: Skuldren for Roqoo Depot.