Warning: spoilers ahead for Star Wars: Revelations #1!Within the vast galaxy of Star Wars, only a select few beings have been deemed worthy of Darth Vader's respect. Outside his master, Emperor Palpatine, Vader has held some degree of esteem for those who have proven the effectiveness of their ruthless tactics (including Grand Moff Tarkin, Grand Admiral Thrawn, and Boba Fett), and those with a genuine understanding of the Force (such as former padawan Ahsoka Tano and former master Obi-Wan Kenobi.) Even the Jedi, including his former identity of Anakin Skywalker, are weak in Vader's eyes: worthy only of destruction so their betters may rise. However, despiter his exacting standards, recent visions of the future betray another individual Vader respects: the bounty hunter Beilert Valance.
Valance and Vader have worked closely in the past, the Sith Lord utilizing his own extensive knowledge of cybernetics to restore the cyborg bounty hunter's damaged systems in exchange for his service to the Empire. While Valance has remained conflicted over working with such an oppressive force, his Imperial service has thus far been defined by success and distinction. Not only has Vader granted Valance some degree of amnesty for insubordination, but it has also led to the Sith Lord genuinely valuing the bounty hunter.
In Star Wars: Revelations #1 from Marc Guggenheim and artists Paul Fry, Salvador Larroca, Pere Perez, Emma Kubert, and Justin Mason, Darth Vader receives a series of visions from the eldritch Eye of Webbish Bog, the spider-like being living in a lava lake on Mustafar. Some of these visions were of the past, such as a droid revolutionary leading a failed uprising against organics, with its legacy having implications for the present. Others were of the future, warnings from the creature of events that await Darth Vader. Among these, Vader saw himself giving Lt. Haydenn the kill order on Valance. Haydenn's declaration that Valance must already be dead, her having shot him in the face and sending him careening off a cliff, is deemed unlikely by Vader. Vader not only demands certainty in Valance's termination, but orders Haydenn to use the absolute best resources the Empire has at its disposal to ensure success.
Darth Vader Considers Beilert Valance a Major Threat
Vader's reluctance for half-measures regarding Valance is two-fold. First, being a cyborg himself, Vader understands better than most the nature and extent of Valance's cybernetic systems. Like Vader, Valance is genuinely more machine than man: most of his internal organs have been replaced with cybernetics, even his bones have been "upgraded" with nearly indestructible tempered durasteel. Vader also understands the raw skill possessed by Valance: not only has Valance been incredibly successful at hunting down some of Crimson Dawn's most deadly associates with ruthless efficiency, but he's proven himself time and time again in combat. This is emphasized by Vader's vision, showing the bounty hunter effortlessly dispatching the trio of Bossk, Zuckuss, and 4-LOM, themselves among the deadliest the galaxy has to offer.
Vader & Valance Have Prior History
Interestingly, this parallels Valance's story in the defunct Legends continuity, where the bounty hunter crossed paths with Darth Vader in Star Wars (1977) #29 by Archie Goodwin and Carmine Infantino. In the now non-cannon encounter, Vader and Valance came to blows, the latter cyborg (almost) proving the former's equal. While triumphant, Vader attempted to spare the bounty hunter, having seen his value as a potential ally. It literally took falling into a star to finally end the Valance of Legends. It's no wonder that Vader orders the best of the best to track down Valance, with Haydenn tasking Inferno Squad with the kill.
While an undisciplined bounty hunter with a penchant for mercy, Valance has nevertheless earned the respect of Darth Vader - sadly, the only thing that actually gains him is Star Wars' greatest hunters on his tail.
Star Wars: Revelations #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!