Vader - Dark Visions 1

Vader - Dark Visions 1 is the first issue of the canon comic book miniseries Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions. It was written by Dennis "Hopeless" Hallum, illustrated by Paolo Villanelli, and published on March 6, 2019 by Marvel Comics.

Publisher's summary[]

WHO IS DARTH VADER? He has been many things: a SITH warrior, a commander, a destroyer. DARTH VADER is to many throughout the GALACTIC EMPIRE a symbol of fear and mysterious, otherworldly power. But there are some who have seen the DARK LORD in a different light. There are some corners of the galaxy so dark and desperate that even Vader can be a knight in shining armor. The first issue of a new STAR WARS limited series, writer Dennis Hopeless (CLOAK AND DAGGER, JEAN GREY) sheds new light on the many sides of the galaxy's greatest villain.

Opening crawl[]

"SAVIOR"

Darth Vader is the Empire's most powerful warrior, mercilessly enforcing
peace and order throughout the galaxy. Killer, monster, savior—what is
the true legacy that the Dark Lord has left behind for those unfortunate
enough to cross his deadly and destructive path?

Plot summary[]

On the planet of Cianap, an inhabitant recalls the tales of what the planet used to be like. They comment that they prefer the quietness of the planet just as an explosion occurs in the sky. The inhabitant notes that the Gods are fighting again, but that they are much more scared of the Gods on the planet's surface.

BattleAboveCianap-VaderDarkVisions1 — A space battle rages over Cianap

Above the clouds, the fight between Gods is actually revealed to be a space battle between the Empire and the Rebel Alliance. Various cruisers, TIE Fighters, and X-wings fly around each other as the planet below is unaware of the Galactic Civil War that takes place above their heads.

In the battle, Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Sith, takes down two X-wings in his TIE fighter. After one of the X-wings is destroyed, Vader's TIE takes some damage and forces the Sith Lord to land on the planet below to make repairs. Below, the inhabitants of Cianap look on in horror as the strange vehicle lands the best it can considering the state of the TIE fighter. A young inhabitant stays behind to see what happens next as the rest of the people on the surface retreat to their tunnels for safety.

Vader soon forces his way out of the damaged TIE fighter, to the young inhabitant's amazement. It is soon revealed that a large beast, called an Ender by the young inhabitant, lies beneath Vader's feet and emerges fully to attack the Dark Lord. In the ensuing battle, Vader plunges his lightsaber into the beast and injures it. Angrily, the beast moves to bite Vader, but the Dark Lord dodges and runs along its belly, cutting it open with his lightsaber.

The young inhabitant, against the droid Raz's advice, aims to get close, in awe that someone could beat the Ender beast. Vader is struck by the beast's tail and is knocked over as the beast then grabs Vader. The young inhabitant believes the Dark Lord to be dead but is shocked to see Vader use the Force to retrieve his dropped lightsaber and strike the beast's hand. The beast releases Vader as he crashes into a building.

VaderHorse-VaderDarkVisions1 — Vader rides in on a black steed

Left alone with the Ender beast, the young inhabitant is faced with danger as the beast reaches out to grab the young one. Vader reemerges on the back of a black steed and rides towards the young one's location. He is pushed out of the way by Vader and the Dark Lord proceeds to rejoin his fight with the beast. After a struggle, Vader finally manages to use the Force to maneuver the Ender beast's head so that its neck is exposed. With one final swing of his lightsaber, Vader kills the Ender beast and it collapses.

Vader walks out and sees the young inhabitant, who now thinks Vader is a God that has freed them and their planet. He thanks the Dark Lord but Vader does not accept it; however, Vader comments that the Force was with the young inhabitant before leaving the planet.

The other inhabitants of Cianap, now free from the Ender beast, celebrate on the surface with a roaring fire and food. Many of the other inhabitants hear of the young one's sighting of the beast-slaying and he is asked about what happened. The young one stands up and recounts his tale with all the bluster and drama of a great storyteller.