Warning: contains spoilers for Star Wars: Darth Vader #12!
Darth Vader is finally returning to his full power in an upcoming Star Wars comic, revealing how he survived his brutal battle with Emperor Palpatine on Exegol. Following a series of trials, the Sith Lord has been pushed to his limits by the Emperor. However, he is kept alive by the same thing that allowed him to survive his fight against Obi-Wan Kenobi in Revenge of the Sith: pure hatred.
After turning his back on Emperor Palpatine, Vader was hunted on Mustafar by Ochi of Bestoon, a Sith assassin. Broken down and nearly defeated, the Dark Lord learned to compromise by turning Ochi into his own personal servant. In pursuit of the Emperor’s secret plans, as depicted in The Rise of Skywalker, Darth Vader traveled with the assassin to the forbidden planet Exegol. On the mysterious Sith planet, Vader’s test was brought to a conclusion as he fought Darth Sidious himself. Vader's master was able not just to defeat him, but to once more win his loyalty by promising to make him suffer like no-one else ever could, and thereby access his full potential.
Now, StarWars.com has shared a Marvel Comics preview of Star Wars: Darth Vader #12 - written by Greg Pak with art by Guiu Vilanova - which shows Vader back under Palpatine's control, and in desperate need of repair. Returning to Coruscant where he was first given his iconic suit in Revenge of the Sith, Vader goes through a type of rebirth. When Mas Amedda asks how Vader could possibly still be living, the administrator replies, “His hatred gives him power.” As a skilled Sith, Vader’s hatred of the Emperor makes him stronger, unlike the Jedi who find strength in peace. Enjoy the preview pages below, including a cover by Aaron Kuder:
This isn’t the first time that a Dark Side-user has been able to hold onto life through hate. Just as when Anakin Skywalker was struck down by Obi-Wan Kenobi on Mustafar all of those years ago, Vader focuses his energy on his hatred to remain alive. Similarly, Darth Maul held onto his hatred after being mutilated by the same Jedi in The Phantom Menace, allowing him to seek medical help and rise anew, equipped with mechanical legs. While the Emperor's inner circle fear Vader's return to power (and fans know they will soon conspire against him), Palpatine assures them that they are beneath the great warrior's notice.
Vader’s rebirth on Coruscant is setting the stage for both War of the Bounty Hunters and Return of the Jedi. Demanding to remain awake and feel the pain of his surgery, Darth Vader's hate is beginning to shift from the Emperor and towards their mutual enemies, with the issue summary promising that Vader's "thoughts drift towards his son - and the friends who make Luke Skywalker so vulnerable." The Emperor appears confident that Darth Vader isn’t a threat to him, now that he has seen how small he is in the grand scheme of his plans regarding Exegol and the Sith Eternal. As fans know, Darth Sidious' arrogance will turn out to be his downfall in both the Original Trilogy and the Sequel Trilogy, as he fails to appreciate that love may eventually triumph over even the deepest hate. But when Star Wars: Darth Vader #12 hits physical and digital retailers May 26, it will see Darth Vader stronger than ever, and once more committed to the Emperor's deadly vision.
Source: StarWars.com