Warning: contains spoilers for Darth Vader #10!
Despite everything that the Emperor has thrown at him in Darth Vader's ongoing Star Wars comic, he has not slowed down in his quest for answers leading him to ride the deadliest predator, the Summa-verminoth. The conclusion of Darth Vader #10 revealed that not even the biggest predator in the galaxy can stop this Sith Lord. He's heading straight into Exegol, but how did the Star Wars Sith Lord get here?
Darth Vader is an ongoing series written by Greg Pak with art by Raffaele Ienco. The series has followed Vader as he hunts down everyone who hid Luke Skywalker from him. Taking place between Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, this series shows the rift that is opening between the Emperor and Darth Vader. It has featured Vader at his best, as the Emperor throws his worst at his apprentice.
At the end of Darth Vader #10, Vader is seen riding a giant beast, ready to charge into Exegol to find out Palpatine's secrets, but this wasn't an easy journey for the Sith Lord to make. Beginning as a personal vendetta against those who hid his son, this conflict is now a broader fight. Darth Sidious has challenged Vader to meet challenges without using the Force, sent his underlings to kill Vader, and placed dangerous roadblocks to guard his secrets. This series puts Vader through the wringer and throws him into a personal hell. How has he managed to make it this far?
The series began with Vader facing his past, knowing that his son was birthed somewhere, despite him not being aware of it. He not only has to retrace his past, but also confront it after encountering Sabe, one of Padme's former handmaidens. After learning the truth about Padme's death, he returns to his former master. Vader presents himself before the Emperor who senses his apprentice's grief and deems it unacceptable. Sidious believes punishing him and instilling fear will put him back on the right path. Darth Vader is forced to rebuild himself without the use of the Force. He takes down the bounty hunter, Ochi of Bestoon, and faces even more monstrous challenges.
To gain the Wayfinder, Vader confronts the Eye of the Webbish Bogg, a creature that forces Vader to confront himself again. He is asked what he needs and his ability to make decisions is taunted. After obtaining the Wayfinder that will lead him to Exegol, Vader is forced to face himself again when he confronts a special sub-species of Summa-verminoth. It gets into Vader's head and shows him visions involving his death, which may be grounded in what he fears. Vader betrays his master's wishes and uses the Force against the Summa-verminoth. Now, he rides atop it to enter Exegol and uncover what the Emperor has been hiding from him.
This series continually pushes Vader. It forces the Sith Lord to face himself and all the facets of his life: his past, his present, and his future. Darth Vader has had to examine his relationship with everyone in his life. Vader is at his strongest and his decision to make a choice for himself - to use the force and conquer the Summa-verminoth against his master's wishes - shows Darth Vader is ready to stand independently.