This is the Darth Vader comic I've been waiting for. Seriously. It is about Vader's rise to power.From Anakin to Sith Lord. It's an action packed, quick read (and a tad tragic) that is full of introspection and aggrandizement. Note: While Soule's writing is great, penciler Camuncoli is the star here: he masterfully displays Vader's conflicted emotions.

Taking place right after the events of Revenge of the Sith, Anakin Skywalker finishes his dark journey to become Sith Lord Darth Vader. Vader embraces the pain and suffering to test, increase, and improve his power. And the Star Wars mythos expands with the history of the Sith light saber being explained, as Vader journeys to the Outer Rim to procure a light saber from one of the last Jedi, who survived Order 66.

What makes this comic so fascinating is that Vader is still struggling to shed his previous identity as Anakin Skywalker and feels the tug of the light side. With Palpatine's guidance, Vader is sent on a journey to track down and eliminate one of the few Jedi who survived the purge and to claim the man's lightsaber crystal for himself. Vader may not be all powerful in this book, but it certainly makes him a bit more interesting to follow. This also sets up the origins of the Sith Inquisition from the Star Wars Rebels show and provides a bit more connective tissue between the Inquisitors and Vader.

All and all, this is an excellent backstory to Vader, that I wish we could see on the silver screen. But, for now, I'll bask in the glory of the comic. ( )

Entirely different from Kieron Gillen's excellent Vader series, this is still a good book. It's basically a Vader Year 1, but far more cinematic and less intrigue oriented than the last series. The only complaint is that it's a bit straightforward: Darth is angry, people will die. But it's executed well--pardon the pun--and sets the stage for a very promising run by Soule. ( )

I've read a couple of graphic novels, but this is actually my first comic book. I enjoyed learning how Vader and the Sith acquire their red sabers, but comics just don't seem to be for me. My friends that like comics rave about this series, though, so it's all on me
I'm sure I can find someone to pass it along to. Nice to try something different ( )

Interesting tale of Darth Vader's first steps in the new Empire after the Clone Wars. Darth Vader is vulnerable and not quite set on his evil ways, which makes him a more interesting protagonist. Darth Vader also has to deal with the confusion of the new Empire with uncertain clone troopers and power struggles. ( )

Some of the artwork looks wonky, like Vader's dopey helmet, but most of it didn't stand out as especially poor. Each issue's pretty good, if it doesn't live up to its predecessor. I didn't expect that, so this was pretty good in its own regard. There's one super cutesy mini-issue that I thought was pretty odd. The tonal contrast it creates between main issues feels weird. It's okay on its own. ( )