This volume collects the second half of the Marvel Comics’ Vader series – issues #13-25 and Annual #1, as well as the "Vader Down" one-shot comic-book, and Star Wars (2015) issues #13 & #14, which are part of a crossover story.The collection leads with the ‘Vader Down’ crossover story, which is a black comedy of sorts - particularly black if you are one of the many Rebels sent to hunt down Darth Vader after he has been forced to crash-land on the planet Vrogas Vas, where there is a secret Rebel Refuelling Base - “All I am surrounded by is fear. And dead men.”The comedy comes from the antics of the psychotic droids Triple-Zero and BT, one of whom gets his arm ripped off by an angry Wookie and beaten into the dust with the oily end (of the arm, not the Wookie), and the antics of Han Solo and Dr Aphra.The story itself is fairly straightforward, but executed (cough) with excellent choreography between the two series, witty dialogue (that keeps the characters in character with when the story is set), and with superb artwork in general, and character-depiction in particular - these characters don’t just look like they have been copied from photographs, but look like their actors even when in motion. I have to note that Mike Deodato’s art reminds me of Frank Bellamy’s, especially in the first issue of the collection. I have no higher praise.This is followed by the “Shu-torun War” - a ‘complete’ story, with a beginning, middle and end. The Annual opens the story, introducing the mining planet of Shu-torun, where Vader has been sent by the Emperor to ‘encourage’ the planetary ruler to improve production. As it turns out, the ruler has other ideas, and, long story short, Vader appoints a new one. However, this story does serve to introduce the planet, its unique properties, and its culture for the main story, which gives this volume its title; and there are a couple of scenes here that reference past and future scenes from the films to keep your attention focussed.The main story sees a baronial revolt against the new ruler, and Vader has to step in, accompanied by his two Evil Droids, as well as Cylo and some of his trainees. There is a lot of action and adventure, with some spectacular big set piece events, as well as a lot for the minor characters to do.This is an excellently-constructed story, with much character development, wit and humour; and good artwork.The final storyline of this series is issues #20-25, in which all the hidden plots and motivations are revealed, and the pieces put in place for the next “Episode”.In my review of the first volume of this series, I said that the seeds of the ending of “Return of the Jedi” were being sown, and here Inspector Thanoth reveals Lord Vader’s long game (as he sees it – Vader just stares at him in response, and allows him and us to draw our own conclusions).That first volume gave Vader depth, character, meaning, and everything else that a major Marvel character needed to BE a major character, not just an actor in a black suit playing a villain. Here, that character is deepened in ways that I didn’t even imagine – Kieron Gillen really is a superb writer.And then, the Emperor is finally given his makeover, and HIS ‘real’ character, motivation and meaning is fully revealed, as well as the Sith master-plan; not to mention what he has been up to with all those apprentices and the mad scientists that have been filling out this series; the path to “The Return of the Jedi” really is being paved over here.And just as a bonus, as it were, we find out what went on between Anakin being left as a burnt torso on that planet and Darth Vader stepping into the light of day.It took decades for Doctor Doom and Magneto to mature from comic-book villains to being deeply motivated and maturely-defined characters; in the space of 25 issues, we have seen the Star Wars universe go through that same maturation.The artwork really is superb, by the way.
