If Darth Vader #8 read like Ocean's 11, issue #9 is its House of Cards, with Vader forced to navigate an increasingly tricky web to both keep appearances and avoid detection. It's a balance Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca mostly pull off, their various machinations turning a brisk read into a tightrope walk. It's not the most outwardly exciting issue of Vader we've see so far, but it's certainly an interesting one.
With Dr. Aphra's heist in the rear view, Vader is tasked with finding the presumed criminals that he himself hired. Considering Vader's usual black and white leanings, it's fun to see the character operate within the confines of his own agenda. It's easier said than done, however, as the recently introduced Imperial Inspector Thanoth proves himself a most tenacious and formidable thorn. Vader has a temper, but there's always a sense of intelligent calm to the character that makes him seem like the smartest man in the room. Not so with Thanoth. Gillen's writing of the character is fantastic, as even though it's never explicitly said, little comments and subtle wordings point to the Inspector being much more knowledgeable of the situation than he lets on. This puts Vader in a position we're not used to seeing - one where he's at a disadvantage.
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With Dr. Aphra's heist in the rear view, Vader is tasked with finding the presumed criminals that he himself hired. Considering Vader's usual black and white leanings, it's fun to see the character operate within the confines of his own agenda. It's easier said than done, however, as the recently introduced Imperial Inspector Thanoth proves himself a most tenacious and formidable thorn. Vader has a temper, but there's always a sense of intelligent calm to the character that makes him seem like the smartest man in the room. Not so with Thanoth. Gillen's writing of the character is fantastic, as even though it's never explicitly said, little comments and subtle wordings point to the Inspector being much more knowledgeable of the situation than he lets on. This puts Vader in a position we're not used to seeing - one where he's at a disadvantage.
Continue reading…
Continue reading...