Since Disney bought both Marvel and LucasFilm, the comics that Marvel has been producing based on the Star Wars film franchise have been a treat to read, in no small part to writers Jason Aaron (Star Wars) and Kieron Gillen (Darth Vader) providing nuance to characters we’ve known for nearly four decades. In just the dozen or so issues that each scribe has penned, the two have managed to wrangle more depth out of the former Anakin Skywalker than was achieved in all three prequel films.
Building on the high bar they’ve set, the duo will helm the first crossover event between the two titles this November, Vader Down. The tale will focus on the Dark Lord of the Sith beset on all sides by the combined forces of the Rebel Alliance, who have shot down his TIE fighter. It’ll be pretty nifty to see Vader getting scrappy with the Rebels beyond performing machinations behind the scenes and doing Force chokes on mouthy Imperial officers. Really, in the original films at least, the only Rebel folks he’s really shown to have interacted with are Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie. How he engages with other Rebels, all by his lonesome, should be quite a sight. Check out the preview pages of the first chapter, Star Wars: Vader Down #1, below that Marvel was kind enough to share!
The first installment of Vader Down, Star Wars: Vader Down #1, hits comic shops on November 18th. Check out the details in the official press release below!
Two of the biggest comics in the world collide this November as STAR WARS and DARTH VADER cross over for the first time! And it all starts right here! Today, Marvel is pleased to present your first look atSTAR WARS: VADER DOWN #1 – the kickoff to the blockbuster six-part crossover. Chartbusting writers Jason Aaron (Star Wars, Doctor Strange) and Kieron Gillen (Darth Vader, Young Avengers) join forces with fan-favorite artists Mike Deodato (Original Sin) and Salvador Larroca (Darth Vader) to combine both titles in the mighty Marvel manner!
Vader’s TIE Fighter has been shot down. Seeing this as their one, best chance to take him down once and for all, the Rebellion is ready to throw everything they have at him. Alone, outnumbered and outgunned, Darth Vader must now face the entire might of the Rebel Fleet. But the Rebels are about to learn the true unrestrained power of the Dark Side of the Force.
To defeat their greatest enemy, the Rebel Alliance will risk it all. Yet with it all on the line, could this risky gambit cripple their forces in the fight against the Empire? Find out at this can’t miss crossover event begins on November 18th in the oversized STAR WARS: VADER DOWN #1 and continues in the pages of STAR WARS and DARTH VADER!
STAR WARS: VADER DOWN #1 (SEP150827)
Written by JASON AARON
Art by MIKE DEODATO
Cover by MARK BROOKS
Variant Cover by JOELLE JONES (SEP150829)
Connecting Variant A by CLAY MANN (SEP150828)
FOC – 10/26/15, On-Sale – 11/18/15DARTH VADER #13 (SEP150830)
Part 2 of VADER DOWN
Written by KIERON GILLEN
Art by SALVADOR LARROCA
Cover by MARK BROOKS
Connecting Variant B by CLAY MANN (SEP150831)
FOC – 11/02/15, On-Sale – 11/25/15STAR WARS #13 (SEP150832)
Part 3 of VADER DOWN
Written by JASON AARON
Art by MIKE DEODATO
Cover by MARK BROOKS
Action Figure Variant by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER (SEP150834)
Connecting Variant C by CLAY MANN (SEP150833)
FOC – 11/09/15, On-Sale – 12/02/15