Scan barcode
A review by mcacev
Star Wars: Darth Vader, Volume 3: The Shu-Torun War by Kieron Gillen
3.0
I have come to realize that the less the story is focused on Darth Vader, the better these volumes get. That's a really sad state of affairs, but unfortunately that's the problem with creating material for prequels: there is only so much character development and plot that can be delivered without destroying the status quo set by the source material.
Vol 3 of Darth Vader starts before Vader Down, with the annual issue where we see Vader come to Shu Torun, a mining planet who seems to be rebelling against the Empire. The rest of the issues take place after Vader Down and develop this story, with a distinct lack of Aphra that I have to admit is noticeable. This time, the main focus is Vader's rivalry with the twins Aiolin and Morit, as well as his relationship with Queen Trios.
The plot is pretty straight forward, but that works well for the story where all of the relevant information is secret alliances and betrayals. There is a scene towards the end where Palpatine finally informs Vader that he will 'explain everything' which made me chuckle; it's a little late for that now Palpatine, especially after Vader basically annihilated half of Cylo's forces.
Queen Trios seems to be a a character of potential, but there isn't that much to her. She learns fast from Vader's 'advice' and he seems to find her at least suitable as a ruler. Of course, that's empty praise considering the Empire needs week rulers that it can control, as Trios herself points out when she executes one of the Barons and appoints his youngest daughter as his successor. She doesn't make an appearance in the later issues of this ongoing, though I haven't read the newest Star Wars issues, so I have no idea if maybe she returns and gets a little more developed.
The twins were another plot-line that felt like it needed to be more developed than they actually were. I personally thought that Aiolin was right when she talked about continuing the martial training of the Sith is the Sith are dead, but I also understood why Vader might be weary of doing so, since that would basically mean nothing. Without a connection to the Force, the training is really just polish. Again, I'm not sure where Vader's intense devotion to the Sith ways comes from, but I harped on that enough in my review of vol 1.
Larroca's art continues to be amazing, and he especially excels in drawing action scenes and backgrounds. This was probably the most impressive of the volumes in terms of art, and that alone is worth the asking price.
There is just one volume left to conclude this version of Vader, and I hope it stays on the level of the rest of the series.
Vol 3 of Darth Vader starts before Vader Down, with the annual issue where we see Vader come to Shu Torun, a mining planet who seems to be rebelling against the Empire. The rest of the issues take place after Vader Down and develop this story, with a distinct lack of Aphra that I have to admit is noticeable. This time, the main focus is Vader's rivalry with the twins Aiolin and Morit, as well as his relationship with Queen Trios.
The plot is pretty straight forward, but that works well for the story where all of the relevant information is secret alliances and betrayals. There is a scene towards the end where Palpatine finally informs Vader that he will 'explain everything' which made me chuckle; it's a little late for that now Palpatine, especially after Vader basically annihilated half of Cylo's forces.
Queen Trios seems to be a a character of potential, but there isn't that much to her. She learns fast from Vader's 'advice' and he seems to find her at least suitable as a ruler. Of course, that's empty praise considering the Empire needs week rulers that it can control, as Trios herself points out when she executes one of the Barons and appoints his youngest daughter as his successor. She doesn't make an appearance in the later issues of this ongoing, though I haven't read the newest Star Wars issues, so I have no idea if maybe she returns and gets a little more developed.
The twins were another plot-line that felt like it needed to be more developed than they actually were. I personally thought that Aiolin was right when she talked about continuing the martial training of the Sith is the Sith are dead, but I also understood why Vader might be weary of doing so, since that would basically mean nothing. Without a connection to the Force, the training is really just polish. Again, I'm not sure where Vader's intense devotion to the Sith ways comes from, but I harped on that enough in my review of vol 1.
Larroca's art continues to be amazing, and he especially excels in drawing action scenes and backgrounds. This was probably the most impressive of the volumes in terms of art, and that alone is worth the asking price.
There is just one volume left to conclude this version of Vader, and I hope it stays on the level of the rest of the series.