Begun, the clone woes have.
comic doesn't quite measure up to the first so far, but at least the series isn't guilty of recycling the same approach. This is a very different sort of Darth Vader story set in a very different time in the Sith Lord's life. As such, this book has a critical part to play in Marvel's rapidly expanding Star Wars library, even if it doesn't seem in any great hurry to accomplish its goals.
This is one of those cases where the first two issues of a new series really should have been combined into one. Vader now has his first mission - to construct a new lightsaber worthy of a Sith - and by the end of this issue he has a target. But did it need to take that long to get the story to that point. The ponderous pacing isn't helping this new series start off on the right footing ,especially since there;s only so much writer Charles Soule can do to get into Vader's head without resorting to an internal monologue (which wouldn't suit this character one bit). Soule does try to provide a foil to Vader in the form of a helpful new droid assistant, but the droid lacks the colorful personality that made Beetee and Triple Zero such fantastic additions to the cast in the previous volume.
As with issue #1, it's less Vader himself that stands out right now than the characters in his periphery. The series is offering fascinating insight into the post-Episode III Star Wars timeline. In issue #1 it was Palpatine who stole the spotlight. This time it's the Clonetroopers. Soule touches base with a regiment of clones who are both celebrating the end of a hard-won war and fearing the fate that awaits them in a galaxy that has no more use for clone armies.
Much of what is communicated about Vader's mindset and feelings is done so visually. Giuseppe Camuncoli excels at using Vader''s body language and fighting style to convey the idea that this is a battered, fallen Jedi first coming to terms with his ruined body. There's a raw fury to Vader in these pages, but also a clear vulnerability as he comes to realize he can't simply brute force his way through enemies. Camuncoli's action sequences are top-notch, whether they involve space battles or up-close confrontations with clones.
However, Camuncoli does continue to struggle when it comes to replicating the look and feel of the films. There's a certain grungy quality to the universe that's missing here. More obviously, Camuncoli isn't great at translating Vader's distinctive costume to the printed page. The shape of the armor in general and the helmet and particular is off in many panels. These quirks are hardly deal-breaking, but it is a shame to have a Darth Vader comic where the main character only loosely resembles Darth Vader at times.
The Verdict
Marvel's new Darth Vader comic still has a ways to go before it lives up to its predecessor. The series offers a compelling look at the Star Wars universe immediately after the events of Episode III, but the sluggish pacing and lack of a proper foil for Vader are both limiting its overall impact. And while the storytelling is sound, the odd rendition of Vader himself is often distracting.
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