Star Wars comic Annual #4 by Cullen Bunn

"Star Wars Annual #4" written by Cullen Bunn, illustrated by Ario Anindito, Roland Boschi, Marc Laming, Jordan Boyd, and Andres Mossa

     This annual takes place before Sana Starros first meets up with Leia and Han on that crazy electrically shielded planet back in issue #6. According to Wookieepedia, this issue actually occurs before the Star Wars comic series even begins. That being said, this was a fun romp with a tad bit of venturing into the Sith Empire times...can't say enough about how excited that makes me.

     We find ourselves on Hradreek, a lush forest planet with dwellings that seem to flow amongst the natural beauty. There's even a podracing circuit tucked away within the wilderness.

     Sana is in possession of a lightsaber from Darth Atrius...a being apparently around "when the Sith were plentiful and powerful." Ugh I want them to delve into those times so badly!!! We get snippets here and there but never a full-on story taking place during the times of the Sith...at least not in current canon. The blade is so ancient it's a tri-saber! And it most certainly was real as the man Sana sold it to started lashing out like crazy when he realizes he doesn't have the second of the matched pair! Turns out Sana sold the other saber to an Imperial officer to give to Palpatine. Unfortunately for the officer, Vader also knows it is supposed to be a matched pair.

     Luke's on Hradreek as well and he comes across the first saber...apparently it had annihilated the guy Sana gave it to and all of his men. Stormtroopers aren't far behind...

     Funny thing, a group of Aqualish make an appearance and some of them have two eyes while others have four...not really understanding if maybe there are two different sub-species or what's going on there.

     Vader says the lightsaber he is in possession of is even clouding his thinking and ability to use the Force it's so powerful. That's really insane.

     In Luke's attempt to get away, he ends up jumping into a podracer! He thought it would be just like a land speeder and boy was he in for a surprise! He's struggling, but making pretty good work of it, showing off his genetic Skywalker abilities. Vader enters the stands and literally everyone cowers away from him, tripping over each other to get as far from him as possible. I guess by this point, post-A New Hope, most people know who the scary man in the black suit is.

     Will Vader take possession of both sabers? Or will Luke runaway with the first one? Or will something completely unexpected happen? You'll have to read to find out.

     This was definitely an exciting addition to canon and gives me another Darth to list when trivia contests ask for Darths...that's certainly a plus! ;-)