Summary
As the final battle inDarth Vader’s epic rebellion againstEmperor Palpatinearrives,Star Warsis revealing the gigantic army of Exegol. Set betweenThe Empire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi, Marvel’s current era ofStar Warscomics is coming to an end with a gigantic clash between the two original trilogy Sith, with each gathering never-before-seen resources to settle the matter of Vader’s increasing defiance over the past few years of stories.
In a first look preview shared byAIPT, fans get to see Darth Vader’s attack on Exegol begin.Darth Vader is wielding his new Zaly Shield, which allows him to focus his Force powers into a concentrated blast. However, he’ll need that power upgrade, as he’ll be facing an army of Stormtroopers, Sith Eternal and Summa-verminoth, even before he gets the chance to fight his master.
Since finding out that his children survived, Darth Vader has been rebelling against Palpatine, gathering new weapons and servants to help him overthrow his master. Having discovered Palpatine’s projects on Exegol, Vader has chosen that as the point of maximum vulnerability, invading the planet in the hopes of drawing out and supplanting Palpatine. It’s worth noting that at this point in theStar Warstimeline, Vader is still fully dedicated to the Dark Side - while he wants to defeat Palpatine, it’s with the aim ofcorrupting Luke and becoming his Sith master.
Cover Artist:
Leinil Francis Yu
GIANT-SIZED DARTH VADER EPIC! The longest-running DARTH VADER comics series ever reaches its stunning conclusion as THE DARK HEART OF THE SITH comes full circle! Darth Vader finally unleashes the unfathomable power he’s accumulated through the SCHISM IMPERIAL against the only person in the galaxy he hates more than he hates himself - EMPEROR PALPATINE! Also featuring the final twists in the saga for key characters like LUKE, LEIA, SABÉ, OCHI, ZED, SLY MOORE, the members of the Schism Imperial and more!
Why Darth Vader Never Took Command Of The Empire’s Military
Anakin Skywalker was a well-respected General in the Grand Army of the Republic. So why did Darth Vader never take command of the Imperial military?
Darth Vader’s attack on Exegol can close a major franchise plot hole.
Darth Vader’s Assault on Exegol Unveils Palpatine’s Hidden Army
The Home of Palpatine’s Experiments Has Some Terrifying Surprises
Previously in the series, Vader discovered Exegol and planned to attack Palpatine’s installations there, but was temporarily won over by a show of power by his master. Now, Vader is once again fighting to overcome Palpatine, and he’s aiming where it hurts. As fans saw in the sequel trilogy,Exegol is the home of Palpatine’s darkest adherents and the site of his most disturbing experiments. His cultist servants used the planet to clone Palpatine back to life while also constructing a gigantic fleet of ships. However, Palpatine also used Exegol for biological experimentation and weapons testing, developing monstrosities including gigantic crab monsters and the tame Summa-verminoth - gigantic space squid which are capable of debilitating psychic attacks.
On his last visit to Exegol, Darth Vader was able to tame a Summa-verminoth and turn it against Emperor Palpatine, however that was when he was able to focus all his power on the task.Now, the preview ofStar Wars: Darth Vader #50reveals an entire battalion of Summa-verminoth riders drawn from the Sith Eternal - the adepts that Palpatine told Vader were being trained to replace him if he ever fell. Vader’s attack on Exegol willclose out Marvel’s currentStar Warsera, and could also close a major franchise plothole. In current canon, Vader knew about Exegol’s existence after he defeated Palpatine, so why didn’t he warn Luke of the danger that still existed? If Vader believed Palpatine’s operations on the planet destroyed in this battle, that question will be answered.
The issue will also include a short story imagining a timeline where Darth Vader attempts to corrupt Leia to the Dark Side, including the iconic hero getting her own Sith armor.
Palpatine Drew His Dark Side Power from a Very Specific (& Terrifying) Type of Hate
Emperor Palpatine is one of the strongest Sith, but where does his hatred come from? One Star Wars story finally explains the source of his power!
Star Wars: Darth Vader #50 Ends Marvel’s Current Star Wars Era
Vader’s Journey Has Followed His Painful Quest to Defeat Palpatine
Star Wars: Darth Vader #50will also apparently see Anakin Skywalker’s childhood friends Kitster and Wald meet up with the rest of their former friend circle, as well as the return of Sith assassin and Vader’s onetime sidekick Ochi of Bestoon. The issue will also include a short story imagining a timeline whereDarth Vader attempts to corrupt Leiato the Dark Side, including the iconic hero getting her own Sith armor.
While fans know thatPalpatinewill ultimately overcome Vader in this battle, the specifics are sure to have major implications for theStar Warsuniverse, and the fight itself is shaping up to be the ultimate feat of power onDarth Vader’s behalf - as the end of an era arrives, the army of Exegol are making sure it goes with a bang.
Star Wars: Darth Vader #50is coming September 18 from Marvel Comics.
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Conceived by the will of the Force itself, Anakin Skywalker was the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring the Force into balance. Anakin struggled to balance competing attachments to the Jedi Order and his wife Padmé Amidala, and ultimately fell to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader. For years he served as Palpatine’s right hand man, but he was ultimately redeemed by the faith of his son, Luke Skywalker. Now a Force Ghost, Anakin continues to act as an agent of balance.
