Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #4 Review


Mysteries, mutations and weaponry are all around this planet, but is this saga focusing in on Darth Vader losing some traction?  Read on to find out.

The official description from Dark Horse:

In the ruins of an ancient moon, Darth Vader encounters an evil people with a dark prophecy and a powerful weapon. They are a threat to the Empire and Vader will force them to serve—or crush them all! Meanwhile, the assassin hunting Vader still lurks . . .

A very odd interlude occurs for our protagonist, and it even comes packaged with some shocking but not unpredictable results.  To the creative team’s credit they deliver a very engaging piece that’s sure to please fans that picked up this series looking for a dark lord of the Sith that’s more than ready to be all that he can be for his dear Emperor.

Tim Siedell pens the script and the scribe does an excellent job encapsulating the aspects that make Darth Vader a villain that’s endured.  He’s an iconic trope of an intergalactic saga that’s so memorable that no one else has ever really been able to take his place or equal his memory.  The author understands that as he puts him into a situation that forces Anakin to make a choice between the person he is now and the free man he could be someday.  It should be noted: the resolution is never in doubt, but the dialogue and the road traveled make it a trip worth taking.

The art by Stephen Thompson matches the quality of the written word in a way that visually makes this an acceptable part of Star Wars cannon.  I was amazed by the intricacies found within as the illustrator made use of his space in a way that could have told this tale all on its own.  There were some hiccups along the way, as a few of the illustrations near the end just seemed a tad bit underdeveloped.

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #4 may not truly move things along in the main plot but it yields an interesting ride nonetheless. Recommended.

4/5

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