Age of Rebellion: Darth Vader: "To the Letter" by Greg Pak

Age of Rebellion: Darth Vader: "To the Letter" written by Greg Pak, illustrated by Ramon Bachs and Stephane Paitreau

     After the let down that was "Vader: Dark Visions," my expectations were low going into this issue. But I should've known that Greg Pak would pull a fast one and make us question whether Lucasfilm is actually out of stories for our favorite bad guy. Turns out, there's definitely more to tell! This was a fantastic tale, delving a bit into Palpatine and Vader's relationship and what they mean to each other, but by way of Governor Ahr.
     Coaxium connection!! Governor Ahr, commander of the Star Destroyer above Namzor (in the Mid Rim), wants to bomb the "Rebel Insurgents" down below, but they're bunkered over a store of coaxium...so of course bombing them would be catastrophic! ...and it's what the Imperials were after in the first place--go figure. Despite this, Vader comes swooping in without a care in the world and destroys everything...all in a super awesome new ship that looks strangely similar to Darth Maul's Scimitar--same wing shape and a shortened but like-designed body (see below). Might this mean that this issue takes place shortly after Revenge of the Sith? I mean there's no TIE-advanced in sight and the Star Destroyer does appear to be of a Venator class...very interesting. The lesson that goes along with this issue would be pertinent for such a timeline as well. Looks like Wookieepedia places it at around 14 BBY so that's definitely a good guess. I like it!

     Then we get the title page and we see that this issue is called "To the Letter" which it turns out is the Emperor's admonition to Vader in regards to following Governor Ahr's orders. See the image of Vader thinking back on his past as Anakin and how he was so often brought to heel by those in authority below. This definitely does not sit well with him and the prequel imagery is fabulous! We also get a synopsis paragraph asking what Vader still has to prove and what he still has to learn...all to do with his following Governor Ahr's orders "To the Letter."

     After the Emperor lays down the law for Vader, the Governor makes it his mission to get the Sith Apprentice killed--and Vader is adamant about following the Emperor's orders and therefore following Ahr's orders "To the Letter." Of course, this doesn't turn out the way Ahr would expect as Vader is always successful at every mission. The situations Vader ends up in actually remind me of Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith #18: "Bad Ground" by Charles Soule in which Vader asks Tarkin to hunt him...all to no avail.
     On Ahn Krantarium (in the Mid Rim), a world over-run with powerful and vicious, self-made droids (see below), Ahr sends Vader on a suicide run rescue mission.

     On Phelzepham (a moon in the Mid Rim), Ahr tells all troops to retreat except Vader an hour before they would've had the moon in hand.
     In the Kankalo Belt Containment Zone (in the Mid Rim) Ahr sends Vader out to destroy a giant nasty hermit crab looking creature that lives in space (see below).

     Finally, at the end of the issue, we get eyes on what exactly this "lesson" was that Palpatine wanted to teach Vader. It turns out not to be the lesson one would expect and it's pretty dang powerful as is the imagery that goes along with it!
     In the afterword write-up on the character, we get the thesis statement that "Love is the defining element in the life and death of Darth Vader." courtesy of Bria LaVorgna. This afterword was such an absolutely beautiful ode to my favorite character in all of Star Wars, Anakin Skywalker. Love is the definition of Anakin--it turned him to the Dark Side and subsequently brought him back to the light. No one has ever loved as much as Anakin. *my heart*!!!
     So, a really great story that I'm so glad was written. I can't wait to see what's next for the Dark Lord!!