Darth Vader 13

Darth Vader 13: Vader Down, Part II is the thirteenth issue of Star Wars: Darth Vader, and the second issue in the crossover event Star Wars: Vader Down. The comic was written by Kieron Gillen, penciled by Salvador Larroca, and published by Marvel Comics on November 25, 2015.

Publisher's summaryEdit

• The first crossover of Star Wars's new Marvel age continues here!
• Vader vs. All the Rebels…it's not a fair fight!^[1]

Plot summaryEdit

It is a period of unrest in the galaxy. The Sith Lord
Darth Vader has learned that it was Luke Skywalker
who was responsible for blowing up the Death Star.
Through the underworld sources of his secret ally,
Dr. Aphra, Vader has received word of Luke's
location — the former Jedi temple on the planet
Vrogas Vas.

However, it appears that the planet is also home to
a rebel base. After taking out two full squadrons of
X-wings on his own, Vader finds himself facing one
last rebel pilot — his son. Luke, unaware that Vader
is his father, crashes his X-wing into Vader's
TIE-fighter, leaving them both alive but stranded
amongst the ruins.

The rebels, seeing this as their only chance to take
down Darth Vader once and for all, have him
surrounded....

War on Vrogas VasEdit

On Vrogas Vas, the rebel troopers order Darth Vader to surrender but he tells them to lower their weapons and they will not be harmed. When they ignore him, Vader uses the Force to activate their grenades, wiping out most of the company in a series of explosions. The Sith Lord then uses his lightsaber to deflect a blast back at a tank, destroying it. Vader then uses the smoke created by the explosions to ambush the other rebel troopers.

Meanwhile, Han Solo, Princess Leia Organa, and C-3PO arrive with the Millennium Falcon at the Vrogas Vas refueling base. A rebel officer tells them that the engagement with Vader went as well as they expected. When Solo asks how they brought down Vader, the officer says that Luke Skywalker rammed Vader's TIE Advanced x1. When Leia asks if Skywalker survived, the officer says that they do not know because his X-wing starfighter also crashed.

Princess Leia tells the rebel troopers at the baste to get the landspeeders ready for deployment in order to trap Vader. When Solo tries to remind the Princess about Skywalker, Leia responds that she wants to focus on bringing Vader to justice for the destruction of Alderaan. Solo asks Leia to lend him a speeder but she is determined to commit all rebel resources to capturing Vader. Unwilling to abandon Skywalker, Solo enlists Chewbacca and C-3PO's help in rescuing their friend.

Dr Aphra's gambitEdit

Aboard the Ark Angel, Dr. Aphra enlists the services of the Wookiee Black Krrsantan over the intercom. When Triple Zero asks if he can prepare a selection of weapons, Aphra says not time for them and requests visuals. Beetee displays a hologram of Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, R2-D2, and C-3PO while Triple Zero gives a brief background of the rebel band.

Aphra remarks that Solo resembles a "guy in the bar who skips the tab" than a rebel hero. Aphra asks Triple Zero to triangle Vader's possible crash positions in order to rescue him. Triple Zero remarks before Vader escapes and suggests that she underestimated Vader's ability to escape the trap. Aphra says she can deal with the rebel army but that Vader is a whole lot scarier.

Rebels in troubleEdit

At the Vrogas Vas base, Princess Leia receives a report from the rebel ground commander who has located Vader's wrecked TIE fighter but cannot find the target. Leia tells them not to touch anything and to be careful of traps. She asks Cyan Squadron if they see anything. Cyan Leader and Cyan Two report nothing but Cyan Three sights Vader in the distance. Leia orders all units to converge on Vader and allows Cyan Three to begin an attack run.

However, the rebel troopers discover that the TIE Advanced's blaster array has been remover. Vader uses the TIE fighter's cannons to shoot down and destroy Cyan Three. Meanwhile, Skywalker is watching the skirmish with R2-D2. He blames himself and vows to take Vader out.

Trapping SkywalkerEdit

Meanwhile, Aphra spies on Skywalker and R2-D2 with her macrobinoculars. She intends to capture them in order to win Vader's favor. Triple Zero is eager to hunt down Skywalker but Aphra warns the protocol droid not to underestimate Skywalker. When Triple Zero proposes killing Skywalker and bringing a couple more blonde ones to make up for the loss, Apra tells Triple Zero that killing Skywalker will not be necessary and sports a spray paint canister, asking Triple Zero to come to her.

Later, Skywalker explores the abandoned Jedi Temple with R2-D2. He senses the cold presence of the dark side of the Force. Skywalker initially thinks that it is Obi-Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. Just then, a droid appearing to be C-3PO approaches Skywalker. Skywalker is delighted to see a familiar face but R2-D2 starts beeping in panic.

Skywalker tells R2-D2 to calm down but the C-3PO impostor instead electrocutes him, knocking him unconscious. The impostor reveals himself as Triple Zero and tells R2-D2 to be quiet. He remarks that the "flesh-loving scum" has made his bed. Dr Aphra stands behind Triple Zero.

MediaEdit

EditionsEdit

• UPC 759606081240; November 25, 2015; Marvel Comics^[1]
  • 01311; Cover A; Mark Brooks
  • 01321; Cover B; Clay Mann

Cover galleryEdit

Cover A by Mark Brooks

Cover A, unlettered

Cover B by Clay Mann

Textless variant cover by Aleksi Briclot

Add a photo to this gallery

AppearancesEdit

CollectionsEdit

Wookieepedia has 9 images related to Darth Vader 13.

• Star Wars: Vader Down
• Star Wars: Darth Vader Volume 2
• Star Wars: Darth Vader Omnibus
• Star Wars by Jason Aaron Omnibus

Notes and referencesEdit

External linksEdit

•  Darth Vader (2015) #13 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)