Review: Star Wars: Darth Vader Volume 2: Shadows And Secrets by Kieron Gillen (author) and Salvador Larocca (illustrator) and Edgar Delgado (illustrator)

It is a bad thing when the boss blames you for the destruction of his favorite project. When you upset the Emperor and you are Darth Vader you take matters in your hands in Star Wars: Darth Vader Volume 2: Shadows And Secrets. The investigation and pursuit of those responsible as outlined in the first book,

Star Wars: Darth Vader Volume 1: Vader, continues in this second volume of the series published by Marvel.

As the colorful graphic novel opens, Darth Vader has returned to Tattooine. Accompanying him is the archeologist Doctor Aphra. They are on the trail of Boba Fett and Skywalker. As the good Doctor points out to Darth Vader while they consider the scene of the crime, if not for the murder of his family, the Empire would still probably have the Death Star. Their deaths and destruction of his home set Skywalker on a journey of revenge that directly led to the destruction of the Death Star and Vader’s far diminished place in the eyes of the emperor. That result and Darth’s anger has led him to seek Skywalker for his own revenge.

Deep, the irony is.

After making sure what remains of the home is destroyed and obliterating any trace of Vader’s presence, Vader moves on to attend to other duties. That means dealing with various issues on The Outer Rim, The Plasma Devils, and various threats against him by those who see his weakened status and believe they can make a move.

They would be very mistaken. Those issues, as well as his latest assignment from the Emperor, will not impede Vader’s ongoing hunt for the young rebel pilot. Vader intends to administer some payback and his hunt goes far and wide in the latest installment, Star Wars: Darth Vader Volume 2: Shadows And Secrets.

As befitting a title with the phrase “shadows and secrets” most of the artwork in this volume is of the dark variety as befitting a tale of the hunt for vengeance. Many of the panels are done in shades of blue and black and tend to be dark in tone whether they depict space situations, underground tunnels, or justice meted out by Vader. The coloring from start to finish, even with the occasional rare use of the brighter colors of the pallet, is of a dark nature as is the tone of the text.

Star Wars: Darth Vader Volume 2: Shadows And Secrets collects issues seven through twelve of the comic. Written by Kieron Gillen, drawn by Salvador Larroca, and colored by Edgar Delgado, this second volume of the series is a good one. It continues the tale of the aftermath of the Death Star destruction from Vader’s perspective. He is not a happy camper and those who test him make a serious mistake.

Star Wars: Darth Vader Volume 2: Shadows And Secrets

Kieron Gillen (author) and Salvador Larocca (illustrator) and Edgar Delgado (illustrator)
Marvel
January 2016

ISBN# 978-0-7851-9256-5

Library Hardcover (also viable in paperback and eBook)

136 pages
$105

Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2016