#gillen's vader does this quite often

[sethnakht]

RUR [to Vader]: You are not Sith. I would know it. I am the last of the Ordu Aspectu! I am Jedi!

VADER: Nothing stirs inside you. All I sense is abomination.

RUR: One of us is mistaken.

{doctor aphra #13}

[allthingskenobi]

Obi-Wan in Exile – Vader

(Originally published on AllThingsKenobi.com December 13, 2020)

Welcome to the first in a series of looks into Obi-Wan Kenobi’s time in exile on Tatooine between Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith and Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. We’ve tried to mine as much Legends and canon material as possible to help guide you through some of the period’s most common and repetitive themes so that when the new Obi-Wan Kenobi series airs, you’ll be ready.

Not everything he ever did in the entire 19 years will be explored here, but as we said, we’ve tried our best to pick out the most prominent and impactful moments to give everyone a better understanding of exactly what one hermit had to endure out there all alone in the sandy deserts of Tatooine.

While Vader himself was not a common reoccurrence throughout Obi-Wan’s exile, the threat of him certainly was…well until now that is. As Vader so often does, he’s recently made his way back to the forefront of the story and will seemingly loom very large over the upcoming series, thus moving us to start with exactly what that might mean for Obi-Wan and how it might work with the canon boundaries we currently have. Yes, we understand that canon can change and probably will, but we do love a challenge.

“Vader,” Obi-Wan muttered. “Vader’s alive.”

DARK LORD: THE RISE OF DARTH VADER BY JAMES LUCENO L

Let’s start at the beginning. We have one instance in Legends where we see Obi-Wan learn that Vader survived Mustafar and it comes mere months after his exile on Tatooine begins. He first hears the name “Vader” mentioned again on the HoloNet during one of his trips into Mos Eisley and nearly faints before panicking to find a way to take Luke and run. (1) This early recognition seems to be reconfirmed in later canon as one of Ben’s greatest fears in the third year of his exile continued to be “sand crunching beneath heavy black boots, a dark cape billowing in the desert squall, the mechanical wheeze of a respirator.” (2) So will we see Obi-Wan only just learning of Vader’s fate in the tenth year of his exile? I’d say that’s highly doubtful unless the show provides a flashback for us—which we will gladly accept.

“Instead, Padmé was dead and Obi-Wan was running for his life, as stripped of everything as Vader was. Without friends, family, purpose…”

DARK LORD: THE RISE OF DARTH VADER BY JAMES LUCENO L

At the same time, Vader was also very convinced that Obi-Wan was still alive and would remain so despite his greatest efforts. Because if there was one thing Vader was good at it, it was holding a grudge like he held a lightsaber, and he would expend quite a bit of energy over the 19 years between episodes III and IV searching for his old Master. (Just ask anyone he comes across in the comics.) Oh, and let’s not forget that it’s also Vader who would later inform a disbelieving Tarkin, in no uncertain terms, that Obi-Wan was still alive and on the Death Star. (3)

“No, I can’t [leave],” Ben said, firmly. “I must be here.”

KENOBI BY JOHN JACKSON MILLER L

“The core of Anakin that resides in Vader grasps that Tatooine is the source of nearly everything that causes him pain. Vader will never set foot on Tatooine, if only out of fear of reawakening Anakin.”

DARK LORD: THE RISE OF DARTH VADER BY JAMES LUCENO L

Now that we’ve established that they both knew of each other’s survival, it begs the question as to why their paths never actually crossed in 19 years. Personally, I think it’s fairly simple: Obi-Wan would never leave Tatooine and Vader would never go anywhere near it. We will discuss Obi-Wan not leaving Tatooine more in-depth at a later time (and yes, we know what Ewan said about having a ‘rollicking time’), but Vader would canonically never visit his home planet until well after Obi-Wan and Luke were both gone. (4)(5) And by then it was much too late.

That brings us to the most recent ‘Obi-Wan Kenobi’ news and how that fits in with what Legends and canon have told us so far. We received a lot of exciting and thought-provoking announcements in a short amount of time, and frankly, our minds haven’t stopped spinning since. Could the show undo what we currently assume to be true? Yes. Could the show work within those same parameters? Also, yes. Do I personally have any idea what’s going to happen? No. DO I THINK THE SHOW IS GOING TO BE AMAZING NO MATTER WHAT? Y E S. The goal of this exercise is to simply try and reconcile the new details to the existing Star Wars lore because I think that’s what makes it interesting. So you can take it or leave it. The choice is yours. (Until it isn’t because the show has aired and this is all pointless.)

HERE WE GO.

“[Deborah] Chow confirmed that audiences will “definitely see Obi-Wan and Darth Vader get into it again” as we see the blue blade of a hooded Obi-Wan clash with the fiery red blade of Darth Vader.”

“McGregor knows the battle will be eagerly anticipated, and he’s looking forward to performing it just as much: “Having another swing at each other might be quite satisfying for everybody. We hope that you enjoy it as much as we’re going to enjoy making it.””

DEBORAH CHOW AND EWAN MCGREGOR DURING THE DISNEY INVESTOR’S REEL

Not only was the “Hayden Christensen returning as Darth Vader” bombshell dropped in our laps, but we were also fed the above morsels (not once but thrice) and told to digest them. Our first reaction was a hearty and well-deserved cry of rejoicing until the realization of what this could all mean set in and it turned into a hearty and well-deserved sob.

There’s hardly a way to be disappointed in the fact that we will see Ewan and Hayden not only together again, but “getting into it” as well, but we do have to wonder what this means for the moment where Obi-Wan and Vader face each other again on the Death Star. The moment is not only pivotal to Episode IV, but I would argue, the entire saga. And it’s made even more impactful by the fact that the two men have not physically confronted each other since their fateful battle on Mustafar.

What we do know, and that which should not change, is that Vader never knew where Obi-Wan was hiding nor that he had Luke, his son, with him. That tells me two things: whatever kind of “rematch” happens here does not endanger Luke’s safety in the long run nor is it probably something that would occur more than once. I think what we’re going to see happen is isolated and “unexpected,” occurring only once ten years into Obi-Wan’s exile.

You: But, All Things Kenobi, if they could never physically meet on Tatooine or elsewhere, then what does this all mean??

Us: Do we look like Deborah Chow or Ewan McGregor? Do we have all the answers for you? NO! But can we try to help ease your mind until the show airs and I’m proven all sorts of wrong?? YES! SO PUT ON THAT TINFOIL HAT AND LET’S DO THIS!!

“I sense something. A presence I’ve not felt since…”

STAR WARS EPISODE IV: A NEW HOPE C

“Obi-Wan once thought as you do.”

STAR WARS EPISODE VI: RETURN OF THE JEDI C

Instantly our minds turned to these two particular comments from Vader in Episodes IV and VI. They’ve always stood out as peculiar, demanding explanation, but even more so now. The first is a vague, open-ended statement that leaves us to assume they hadn’t met again since they parted on the slopes of Mustafar. The second is a seemingly wistful reminiscence of a memory Vader has of his old master.

Luke had just finished making a heartfelt plea for Anakin to remember his “true self” then says, “come with me.” Where did Obi-Wan make the same appeal to only be shunned by Vader as well? Is it possible the series will show us this after all these years and possibly solve the riddle of both enigmatic statements at once? Is it possible that any such conversation might quickly devolve into another lightsaber-fueled clash??

“Count Dooku was Yoda’s apprentice.”

“And Count Dooku has fallen to the dark side.”

“All of us have apprenticed to Master Yoda.”

“He cannot be held accountable for Dooku’s descent.”

“But they are connected. Profoundly.”

THE CLONE WARS 6×11 “VOICES” C

A distinct bond exists between each Padawan and Master and unfortunately that bond does not disappear when one or the other becomes a Sith Lord. Despite the bond between Obi-Wan and Anakin being firmly closed at both ends, there’s no doubt that a presence remains. And even the most sturdy walls might crack from time to time.

Even after 19 years apart, Vader is quick to recognize when Obi-Wan is nearby and goes so far as to know his intent. “Escape is not his plan. I must face him alone.” And he’s right. (3) As for Obi-Wan, the Force has plagued him with dreams and visions, even showing him “a limbless wreck hanging in a bacta tank, necrotic skin pallid and scarred.” (2)

Could their strong connection be the vehicle that allows Obi-Wan and Anakin to confront each other once more? Within the Force they could not only converse, but we could also see them “take another swing” at each other without any physical consequences no matter who “wins.” The mental toll would also make for great drama for both men and bring a new perspective and emotional weight to several scenes in the Original Trilogy.

“If you loved me, Obi-Wan, you would have killed me.”

STAR WARS: DARTH VADER 24 BY KIERON GILLEN C

Finally, it’s quite possible that Obi-Wan might not physically be involved at all in their “rematch” and it might be entirely from Vader’s perspective. One theory could be as simple as the fact that Vader once had a training droid whose deadliest combat setting took the form of his former master. (Oh, Anakin.) (6) Another theory, and a much more likely one, could be that Vader has a Force vision or dream that allows him to recreate and relive various moments between himself and Obi-Wan, including, but not limited to, another lightsaber battle. This would be interesting to witness as every time it occurs, it means that Vader is wrestling with Anakin.

Although the Obi-Wan that continues to exist in Anakin’s psyche doesn’t seem too different from the real thing, just imagine Ewan McGregor getting to play Obi-Wan from Anakin’s point of view…I’ll just drop my mic there.

Star Wars: Darth Vader 24 by Kieron Gillen (2016) C

Star Wars: Darth Vader 5 by Charles Soule (2017) C

Citations:

(1) Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader by James Luceno L

(2) “Time of Death” – From A Certain Point of View by Cavan Scott C

(3) Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope C

(4) Star Wars: Darth Vader 2016 by Kieron Gillen C

(5) Star Wars: Darth Vader 2020 by Greg Pak C

(6) Star Wars: The Force Unleashed (2008) by Haden Blackman L

[rebelsofshield]

Panels Far, Far Away: A Week in Star Wars Comics 4/24/19

Travel through the edges of the galaxy, the twisted hearts of two of the universe’s most morally questionable beings, and into the romantic fantasies of an Imperial nurse in an eclectic week of Star Wars comics.

Star Wars Doctor Aphra #31 written by Simon Spurrier and art by Emilio Laiso and Andrea Broccardo

Trapped in the alleyways of Milvayne with just an hour left before they explode, Aphra and Triple Zero must come to an understanding about each other and their place in the world.

At this point, I’ve learned not to doubt Simon Spurrier. Even more so than former writer Kieron Gillen, Spurrier has demonstrated a superb ability to tell complex stories that never stray far from Doctor Aphra’s trademark sense of character development and twisted humor. While it may not have reached the heights of “The Catastrophe Con,” “Worst Among Equals” ends on a unique and positive note that keeps up its reputation as one of the most creatively daring books in the Star Wars line at Marvel.

For a book that follows such morally bankrupt protagonists, Spurrier pulls a surprising twist on the formula and ends “Worst Among Equals” on an unexpectedly inspiring note. Sure, it leaves Aphra in rather dire straights, but the resolution to the majority the arcs plot points and character arcs ends up reaffirming the goodness in humanity, or..er…droidity(?), rather than wallowing in  its familiar hopelessness. Spurrier uses his various spinning plates to reaffirm the bond of his central characters and in the process shows the spiraling affect of that goodness to the world at large. It’s another testament to Spurrier’s plot crafting that the world of Milvayne’s acts of revolution end up feeling as fulfilling as they do.

That being said, Aphra’s big character defining decision feels a bit off kilter. It’s not that her actions feel out of character, but that the circumstances suggesting them feel like they could’ve been better established. However, it’s entirely impossible that this randomness is ultimately the point. For a character and series that is often about murky, hard to parse emotions, it may be fitting.

Emilio Laiso, who will be leaving Doctor Aphra to join Valiant’s latest X-O Manowar ongoing, turns in some of his best work here. It’s disappointing then that issue’s art ends up proving so disjointed due to an ill advised pairing with Andrea Broccardo. Broccardo is a fine penciler and has done some great work over on the main Star Wars ongoing, but his work doesn’t gel well with Laiso here. Even having the same colorist in Rachelle Rosenberg doesn’t help smooth over the jarring transitions from artist to artist. It’s an unfortunate bump in what is otherwise a rather strong finale.

Score: B+

Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge #1 written by Ethan Sacks and art by Will Sliney

The Rise of Skywalker isn’t the only Star Wars property to get a big publishing push by Lucasfilm this year. Disney Parks’ upcoming Star Wars land, Galaxy’s Edge, will be opening its doors to a screaming public in just a few short weeks and a smorgasbord of comics and books will launch alongside it to help bring the world of Batuu alive. 

Borrowing its playbook from IDW series such as Tales from  Vader’s Castle or Flight of the Falcon, Marvel has released an anthology series in Galaxy’s Edge. Centered around the eclectic treasure shop or Ithorian collector, Dok-Ondar, Ethan Sacks crafts an Outer Rim crime saga punctuated with stories from all eras of Star Wars history.

While the exact direction of its narrative is more than a little nebulous at the moment, the frame story of an apparent heist of Dok-Ondar’s stash is intriguing and bursting with well-designed colorful characters. The reptilian Remex and apparent criminal ringleader Kendoh are early standouts and seeing where exactly this story takes them is interesting even if the plot itself is fairly threadbare at the moment.

This issue’s anthology story fairs much better. Watching Han Solo and Chewbacca attempt to secure a shipment of hatchling Sarlacc’s proves to be an entertaining caper and both Sacks and artist Will Sliney infuse it all with a healthy dose of Indiana Jones style action. It’s impressive how fully formed this story proves to be. It may be light on character, but it is rife with fun set pieces, intriguing concepts, and playful twists and turns.

Sliney’s art is successful at helping to craft the diverse and wild landscapes of Batuu and Dok-Ondar’s stories. The environments feel like an alien frontier town with a dash of jungle wilderness and it does do what it is presumably its mission in making the reader want to actually step foot inside this strange little alien world. Sliney’s usual art quirks still remain though. His distracting decision to often render character’s eyes as black slits is more than a little jarring and frequently removes the reader from the script at hand.

Score: B-

Star Wars Vader: Dark Visions #3 written by Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum and art by David Lope and Javi Pina

I’m really glad this book exists. It may be inconsequential to the larger Star Wars brand in the grand scheme of things, but it is rare to see a media tie-in book that is this openly experimental in terms of narrative and visuals. Dennis “Hopeless” Hallum continues to challenge our perceptions of Darth Vader while telling stories that are new in terms of both genre and presentation. Even if they aren’t always perfect in execution, it is refreshing just to get a Star Wars book that is allowed to play in this manner.

Hallum takes the wonderfully unexpected route here of exploring one woman’s obsessive romantic interest in the Dark Lord himself. It seems like a ludicrous concept on the nose, but Hallum walks the welcome line between dark humor and playing the whole situation refreshingly straight faced. Hallum makes the nameless protagonist’s infatuation with Vader feel understandable. I mean, he quite literally is tall, dark and mysterious and the lead’s doctor/patient dynamic almost writes itself. Like the series’ stellar first issue, Hallum beautifully accomplishes the central goal of forcing us to see Vader in a different light without jeopardizing his actual in universe characterization. However, the resolution to this twisted romance feels disappointingly familiar given how refreshingly offbeat this narrative as a whole proves to be. There’s also a reading that is less charitable that sees the story as being particularly exploitative. One can’t help but feel that there was an avenue that could have accomplished the same general tone but in a more inspired manner that avoided some of the story’s more problematic shifts..

Visually, David Lopez and Javi Pina prove to be an successful pair. Lopez’s pencils are more playful than we might be used to from Marvel’s Star Wars titles, but they accomplish the goal of highlighting the strange story at the issue’s center against stark Imperial hallways and medical rooms. The true highlight prove to be Pina’s brief by striking interludes. Bringing to life the narrator’s personal fantasies, Pina’s vibrant and dramatic panels are frequently hilarious and may end up being some of the most iconic images of this whole project. One image of Vader pulling what is essentially a Sith Lord Fabio look is a stunner for the ages.

EDIT: Since the original publication for this review a lot of criticism has come out for this comic. While I don’t want to disregard my initial read of this book and what merits I still think it has as a product, I do want to acknowledge that a lot of the concern regarding this comic’s portrayal of its protagonist has merit and should be considered. If a comic makes this many women uncomfortable, even if I am not one of them, it does, at the very least, raise concerns about needing to have having more female identifying creatives over in Marvel’s Star Wars line.  

Score: B-

[theinternetdoesnotend]

Creating Great Characters, Putting Them in Room and Seeing What Happens

Kieron Gillen writing does the title of this post. He creates great characters, he allows circumstance or the characters’ own motivations to mix together and then just sees what happens.

His notes for the Darth Vader 25 issues run prove as much. He claims quite often that he wishes a character he made up could have survived. Alas, they were in a room with Darth Vader.

From reading his newsletter and other things it sounds like he’s using various character creation sections from table top RPGs. Which is as good as anything to work through some details and motivations for original creations.

It’s giving me ideas actually.