Warning! Spoilers for Star Wars: Darth Vader #12
Darth Vader has revealed in a new comic the reason why he saved Chewbacca from Boba Fett in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back. The Sith Lord’s motivation which might have previously been chalked up to a “code of honor” actually has an explanation behind it.
While Han Solo is in the process of being frozen in carbonite by Darth Vader on Cloud City, Boba Fett has an opportunity to blast the smuggler’s fury friend Chewbacca. However, Vader lifts up his arm to prevent the bounty hunter from taking the shot, as the Wookie growls in protest. This moment has been a source of speculation for years, as it would have made sense for Boba Fett to shoot Chewbacca along with the other rebels. However, there was a little more to it, as revealed in Star Wars: Darth Vader #12 written by Greg Pak with art by Guiu Vilanova.
Previously, fans have speculated with theories as to why Darth Vader would protect Chewie, but it has now been confirmed that the Sith Lord thought the rebels’ friendship was a major weakness. As Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Leia were gathered in one location at the same time, Vader and his stormtroopers had the perfect opportunity to take them down. However, because he saw their dynamic as a source of weakness, he opted to spare them. Now that the Empire had gained the upper hand against the rebels, their survival didn’t mean much to him in the grand scope of the galactic conflict at hand. “Good… Keep on believing it… Believe that your friends have survived this long through strength or fortune… instead of my design.”
Thankfully, this added layer of explanation feels consistent with the original trilogy, as the Emperor called out Luke Skywalker’s friendships as a weakness in Return of the Jedi. When Luke told Emperor Palpatine that his arrogance would be his downfall, he replied that his faith in his friends would equally lead to the rebels’ demise. Unlike previous retcons in issues of Darth Vader, this one feels natural and satisfying with the established story as intended by George Lucas. It makes sense that the Sith, known for their strict “rule of two,” would disregard relationships, seeing themselves as self-reliant.
Ultimately with this reveal, the Empire’s defeat was their own doing, as Vader could have easily allowed Boba Fett to shoot Chewbacca on the spot. Consequently, Leia wouldn’t have stood idly by without fighting back, likely leading to her own death at the hands of the bounty hunter. Despite having proven their ability to come together and blow up the Death Star, Darth Vader still didn’t take their threat very seriously. The moment that was once seen as an act of mercy or a code of honor can now be seen as a depiction of the Empire’s arrogance.