Target Vader #3: "The Trap" by Robbie Thompson

Target Vader #3: "The Trap" written by Robbie Thompson, illustrated by Stefano Landini and Neeraj Menon

     Again, this issue felt super short. I don't know if it's because the story has been so engaging or if there's a lot of extra action taking up panels or what. Regardless, it was highly enjoyable...except for one thing. The very beginning, taking up the first four pages, is set "then" and presumably shows Valance's past and his work with the Empire. I am so confused by these pages!! They show Valance post-crash with a completely normal body and face still working for the Empire but as a mudtrooper and then a stormtrooper instead of a pilot. On page three we see that his eye has become cybernetic but that's it and he's still working for the Empire. This doesn't make any sense to me at all. He looked AWFUL after that crash in Imperial Cadet #5 (see the image here). So if that crash and the Empire's response to his wounds wasn't the reason for his hatred of the regime...what in the world was??? I really need to know the answer to this question!
     As for the story, Valance's plan unfolds on the planet Heva as the bounty hunters take possession of an entire stockpile of bot-drones, similar in function to vulture droids but with a different overall design. Check them out and the guy selling them (he is one funky looking dude!) below. Just as the team takes over the bot-drones, a Star Destroyer enters the atmosphere with Vader on board! Will this turn out to be the perfect plan? Or will the dark lord have the situation well in hand??

     That's really all I have to say about this issue. It felt short, sweet, and to the point and leads us right up to what appears will be a helluva confrontation!! I'm excited to see what's next.