Warning! Contains a preview for Darth Vader #25
A new preview for Marvel's Darth Vader proves that the Dark Lord overestimates his own power in the Star Wars galaxy. Attempting (and failing) to recreate his most epic moment from Obi-Wan Kenobi, it's further confirmed that Darth Vader has his limits. Despite being one of the most powerful Force-wielders in the galaxy, his grasp can still be escaped (though not for long).
In previous issues of Darth Vader from Greg Pak and Raffaele Ienco, the Dark Lord has been tasked with hunting down members of Crimson Dawn. Making a significant comeback in between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the powerful crime syndicate has gone to war with the Empire with agents embedded within every level of the Imperial hierarchy. Joined by his late wife's decoy Sabé (who knows Vader's past as Anakin Skywalker), the Sith Lord has been tracking down a rogue Imperial governor who secretly serves the Dawn.
Now, the new preview for Darth Vader #25 sees the Sith Lord pursuing the governor on speeders bikes, attempting to destroy the governor before they escape the system. Unfortunately, the governor and her people do manage to take off, though Vader uses the Force to hold the transport ship in place, resembling the same move he used to stop the resistance group known as the Path in Obi-Wan Kenobi. However, the shuttle's engines prove to be too powerful and the shuttle still escapes the Dark Lord. Here are the preview pages and synopsis for the upcoming issue:
DARTH VADER #25- NO CALM BEFORE THE STORM
The Dark Lord of the Sith relentlessly tracks a corrupt Imperial governor. But is Vader still driven by his quest for order—or has his encounters with shades from the past awoken new motivations? Meanwhile, few figures in the galaxy are more different than Sabé, handmaiden of Padmé Amidala, and Ochi of Bestoon, assassin of the Sith. So when they’re forced to work together in Vader’s ambit and the knives inevitably come out, who’s still standing at the end? And what will that lonely soul have to say when Vader returns?
Despite changing tactics and damaging the shuttle's circuitry, Vader still loses his prize in this new preview (leading to some misplaced confidence on the part of the governor). Combined with the misdirect seen in Obi-Wan Kenobi that led to the Path's similar escape, it seems Darth Vader still has his flaws and limits that can get in the way of victory. While grabbing shuttles in mid-air is inarguably impressive and a testament to Vader's power, he's not invincible (as much as he might like to think otherwise).
At any rate, it will be exciting to see how Sabé continues to interact with Vader in light of her new goal to redeem the man who was once Anakin Skywalker. Seeing as how Darth Vader won't be redeemed until he faces his son Luke in Return of the Jedi, it's obvious that Sabé is playing a dangerous game in this new Star Wars comic, one that probably won't end well if the attached synopsis is any indication. The full Darth Vader #25 releases on July 20th.