Warning! Spoilers ahead for Darth Vader #12

In the latest issue of Marvel Comics' Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith has given up on his hopes to rule the Star Wars galaxy with his son Luke SkywalkerAfter an intense and revealing visit to the Sith world of Exegol, Vader bore witness to the true power of his master Darth Sidious, and he's since returned to the fold at the Emperor's side as a result despite his earlier desires to seek revenge and kill his master after the events of Empire Strikes Back. However, this also means that the next time Vader and his son meet, he won't be trying to turn Luke to the dark side.

In prior issues of Darth Vader, the Dark Lord had been enduring a brutal punishment from Sidious, as he had failed to kill or turn Luke to the dark side, as well as the fact that Vader ignored his master's summons in the immediate aftermath, embarking on a personal quest into the past to find answers about his late wife Padmé and Luke's birth. After being damaged and dumped on the lava world of Mustafar where Anakin Skywalker truly became Vader, the Dark Lord crawled his way through the hellish landscape until he was able to craft new limbs. Furthermore, Vader's journey then took him to Exegol, Sidious's secret Sith world which was first featured in Star Wars: The Rise Of SkywalkerWhile there, Vader learned of the Emperor's plans and full power he wielded in the dark side, leading Vader to seemingly abandon his revenge quest, submitting to his master's supposed superiority.

Related: Star Wars: Anakin's Biggest Clone Wars Mistake Almost Killed Luke

Now, Darth Vader #12 from writer Greg Pak and artist Guiu Vilanova sees Vader back with Sidious and getting some much-needed repairs in order to get back to full strength and functionality. While the surgery takes place, Vader dwells on the past, particularly about Luke and the perceived weakness he carries. Despite Vader cutting off Luke's hand, it seems as though the Dark Lord truly wanted his son to join him so they could overthrow the Emperor together. However, Exegol has seemingly dashed any twisted hopes Vader had had to make those desires a reality, as he now believes that defeating the Emperor is impossible, leaving him no choice but to eventually kill his son.

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This is a particularly significant and potent moment in Darth Vader's path, which certainly depicts him at one of his lowest points. While Vader had made a handful of attempts to overthrow Sidious in the past (as Sith apprentices are prone to do), it seems as though he's finally given up and resigned himself to his fate at the Emperor's side. All in all, this mindset does support Vader's initial reaction to Luke trying to redeem him in Return of the Jedibelieving that it was too late for him to resist his master and return to the light.

In any case, should Vader and Luke cross paths in the comics before Return of the Jedi, this issue certainly seems to confirm that the Dark Lord will have given up trying to corrupt his son to the dark side of the Force. Now, Darth Vader will have the intent to kill his own son in the Star Wars galaxy, and it's interesting to think about what their interactions will in future issues of Darth Vader from Marvel Comics.

More: What Happened To Darth Vader's Lightsaber After ROTJ (In Canon & Legends)