Star Wars #5: The Destiny Path, Part V by Charles Soule

"Star Wars #5: The Destiny Path, Part V" written by Charles Soule, illustrated by Jesus Saiz, Arif Prianto, and Dan Brown

This was a super quick read that packed ALL the right punches. So freaking good!! We get connections to previous comics and TV shows, and there's even a little Vader to round everything out just right.

We start off with a guy claiming to be Luke Skywalker (see below), using the name to try and get a job smuggling some people. But Vader comes along and destroys the man. Apparently, the Dark Lord means to go to Vendaxa and is quite frustrated that the Imperial Officer led him to a false lead. In the "Darth Vader" series he's been on Coruscant and Naboo...so I'm not sure what this Vendaxa business is all about...

Then we get eyes on Luke, heading for Serelia (see below) where the woman in his vision awaits. She does NOT want to be found, worried that Inquisitors or Vader are after her when Luke mentions that he thinks she's a Jedi. The woman sets off in her fishing boat to escape Luke and throws everything she has at him...literally. He nearly capsizes and once he reaches land, he says, "Whoa. Good old sand. I ever tell you how much I love sand?" Hahahaha!!! I love it!! Then he realizes she escaped into a cave and he says, "Reminds me of Dagobah. Dunno why the Force seems to love caves so much." Again, hahahaha!!! Even more funny because of the cave in The Last Jedi to add to the mix.

                               

So, the woman?? She turns out to be Verla!!!! (see below) It HAS to be the same Verla from the "Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith" comic series who tutored under the Iktotchi padawan Ferren Barr!!!! I am LOVING this connection!!! Verla was the name of the only student under Barr who was Force sensitive and he sent her off to find a teacher who had survived the Purge...looks like she wasn't so lucky. And she makes sure that Luke knows all about the Inquisitorius, Order 66, and the Purge (see below)

                 

Anyway, Verla has set up a multitude of booby-traps in the cave and Luke keeps getting caught...then...when he's in the most vulnerable of positions, Verla probes his mind and discovers his family heritage...DUN DUN DUN!!! She is understandably pissed beyond belief and bids Luke good riddance. How will Luke survive in a well full of water?!? Will Verla accept his true intentions??? Or will she leave him for dead...

Such a fantastic read!!! I cannot wait to see what happens from here...