One of the most rousing moments in Star Wars history comes when Darth Vader defeats Emperor Palpatine in Return of the Jedi. However, comic tie-ins have confirmed that up until that point, Vader feared Luke taking his place as Palpatine's apprentice, even as he schemed to kill and replace his master. Now, amazing new fanart of Vader shows a version of the villain so awe-inspiring, it's possible to imagine how that version of events might have gone.The idea of Vader overthrowing Palpatine for personal gain certainly isn't unheard of, especially in the world of comics. Keiron Gillen and Salvador Larroca's Darth Vader (2015) series shows the Sith lord largely on the outs with Emperor Palpatine, as the Emperor repeatedly attempts to find a suitable replacement for Vader should he decide to get rid of his apprentice entirely. With Palpatine actively looking for new candidates - including Luke Skywalker - it makes perfect sense that Vader would be similarly eager to kill his master first. This conflict has been heavily explored in the most recent Darth Vader series by Greg Pak and Raffaele Ienco, which takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. This series sees Vader and Palpatine's tension at an all-time high. During the series, Darth Vader has even attempted to kill Palpatine, though the attack of course fails.An incredible Darth Vader fanart from @AFinnstark on Twitter, however, shows a terrifying vision of Vader that will have fans speculating on what he could have become if he'd killed Palpatine to usurp his place in the Sith hierarchy, not to protect his son. The piece depicts Vader in a tattered, impossibly flowing cape, his red lightsaber lit against the darkness. As Vader stands in front of the Death Star and an ominous emerald glow, one no longer needs to imagine what the Dark Lord would look like at the very height of his potential power.
Darth Vader As A Dark Side God
The fanart provides a fascinating "What if?" for the Star Wars universe, as it shows Vader at such a level of demonic might that surely even Palpatine would be overthrown with ease. It's an incredible illustration that presents Anakin nearly as a god of the Sith, perhaps finally ascended to the Master's side of the Rule of Two. Vader has long been known to be one of the most powerful and terrifying Force users in the entirety of the Star Wars universe, but even he has rarely been depicted in such a frightening visage - an apparent devil of the Dark Side.
Few moments get to the heart and thematic center of the Star Wars world like Vader's rejection of the Sith in Return of the Jedi. Even so, @AFinnstark's fanart gives a wicked look at what one of the scariest and most powerful Star Wars characters could look like had Darth Vader's attempts to overthrow Palpatine between movies worked out in his favor.
Source: @AFinnstark