Darth Vader Faces Wat Tambor's Grandson In 'Star Wars: Darth Vader' #31

Star Wars

Feb 10

Star Wars: Darth Vader 31 by Greg Pak and Ibraim Roberson follows up on the uneasy alliance made between Darth Vader and the surviving handmaidens of Padmé Amidala. The issue starts with Vader flashing back to his final confrontation with Padmé on Mustafar in Revenge of the Sith. Although this time, Vader envisions himself convincing her to join him in ruling the galaxy. This vision ends with Vader being reminded of Padmé’s rejection and assuring himself that he will try again with Padmé’s handmaidens.

Once they arrive on Brentaal IV to rescue Sabé from Jul Tambor, Vader has Sly Moore explain to the handmaidens why they each need him and the Empire. Rabé had fought in the Battle of Naboo and was seeking safety, Saché had a wife and child and sought a home for them, Eirtaé was a scientist whose work would flourish with the Empire’s resources, and Dormé was hoping to change the galaxy, which she could do alongside Vader. When Vader asked them if they would remain under his command, they said they would stick together. To this, Vader lifted them all with the Force and threw them at the approaching army of Jul’s rebuilt battle droids.

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As the handmaidens fight off the battle droids, Sabé tries once again to convince Jul that he will lose against Vader and that the Skakoan refugees under his care will be killed. But Jul refuses to listen as he sends another platoon of droids to attack the local farmers and lure Vader’s forces into a canyon. When Vader says this opportunity will be another test for them, the handmaidens refuse to abandon the locals and insist that Vader help them save them. Vader reminds them that they do not give the commands, but that he will lead them into battle.

As the handmaidens defend the farmers, they call upon Vader to assist them. However, they discover that he has led them to confront Jul and retrieve Sabé personally. Realizing that Vader had merely used them for his own ends, Rabé apologizes to the other handmaidens for putting her personal safety over theirs. However, Dormé points out that she was still there to fight alongside them and that they will finish this together.

Upon finding Jul and the still captured Sabé, Vader is confronted by Gee-Ninety, the droid bounty hunter he previously destroyed. Gee-Ninety unleashes a pile of magnetic spheres on Vader, shocking his suit and forcing him into submission. However, he is then freed by Eirtaé, who uses her antigrav devices to increase the gravity in the room and deactivate the spheres.

As Jul escapes in a ship, Sabé is reunited with her fellow handmaidens, who beg her to leave Vader’s service. Vader then unlocks the cage holding Sabé and asks her if she’d rather leave the innocents of Brentaal IV to die than continue to serve him. When the handmaidens tell her not to trust him, Vader chokes them with the Force as he awaits Sabé’s answer.

Darth Vader 31 is another excellent issue from Greg Pak and Ibraim Roberson. The conflict between Vader and the handmaidens continues to entertain and make the readers wonder if they’ll be able to compare it out of this situation alive. The artwork is particularly notable in this issue, with many strong symbolic images like Anakin being consumed by his Sith armor, as well as thrilling action panels like Vader leading the handmaidens into battle against Jul’s droid forces. With Jul still at large and Sabé still conflicted over her loyalties, I’m excited to see which way Sabé decides to go and how her final decision will affect Vader, the handmaidens, and the galaxy at large. Only time will tell if Vader is going down a path that Sabé can follow.

Rating: 9/10

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