Vader – Dark Visions #5

Vader – Dark Visions #5 (of 5)

Writer: Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum
Artist: Geraldo Borges
Colorist: Marcio Menyz
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Greg Smallwood

Vader – Dark Visions #5 wraps up the mini-series with a pretty mediocre story. It’s just Vader hunting down another Rebel for some stolen plans and Vader steamrolling over everyone. The only angle to give this story any matter of interest is the main character gets poisoned at one point and starts hallucinating. So that does give the artwork some interesting visuals for the end of the story.

It takes place on Lokud 7 and very quickly introduces the idea that this place isn’t safe as a plant attacks a stormtrooper. We’re shown a cocky Rebel who has some stolen Imperial intel, a cantina getting ready for a long night of partying, and then Vader crashing the party as he begins killing everyone. The main character turns out to be the barkeep who grabs the intel and makes a run for it. Vader gives chase, and the barkeep quickly falls into some venomous sticker bushes which cause him to hallucinate, making Vader appear even more horrific than normal. Eventually he hides in a cabin, Vader corners him, the barkeep gives up the plans, and it’s another successful mission for Vader. It’s not quite clear what happens to the barkeep. He could be dead or just petrified in fear.

The problem with the issue is the story isn’t very deep. There doesn’t appear to be that many layers to it. It’s just Vader chasing a bartender through a jungle while he hallucinates. While it gives the artist something fun to do, it doesn’t do anything for the story. In the end, it’s a throwaway story that doesn’t serve any purpose, doesn’t add anything, and doesn’t offer much. The artwork is good, but it’s not enough to save the comic from being forgettable. Sadly the writing just makes this issue something that isn’t worth the time or money. I give it a two out of five metal bikinis.

Reviewed By: Skuldren for Roqoo Depot.