Darth Vader: Volume 3: The Shu-Torun War collects Darth Vader Annual 1 and Darth Vader issues 16-19. It was written by Kieron Gillen with art by Leinil Yu in the annual and Salvador Larroca in the regular issues.
Synopsis (Part I)
Hey, Rubix, you ever dance with the Vader in the pale moonlight?
Darth Vader arrives on the mining world of Shu-torun. He is there to see the planet’s king and remind him of just how important it is to fulfill the quotas demanded by the Emperor. On the landing platform, Vader is greeted by Princess Trios, the king’s youngest daughter. She offers to relieve Vader of a package he is carrying, but he refuses. “It is a gift for Shu-torun’s ruler," he says, “I will deliver it personally.” When they leave, we see Triple Zero and BT-1 emerge from Vader’s ship. Before meeting the king, Trios tells Vader that it is very important he make an appearance with her at a formal dance. Darth Vader is not interested in dances, but she explains to him that Shu-Torun is a very courtly culture and that keeping the Ore-Dukes happy is what will insure the planet is able to meet the Imperial tithe. Vader is confronted by Duke Rubix who insists he dance with his daughter. “If one is here, one must dance,” he says. Vader teaches the Duke the old Force choke and push dance and the Duke decides that one round of that is enough. Just then, a mining vehicle bursts through the ceiling, spilling out armed men who open fire on Vader. He takes them out and demands to see the king immediately. Trios tells him that the elevators are likely being watched by the same traitorous Dukes who orchestrated this attack and offers to take him through the tunnels. As they make their way through the tunnels, they are sealed in and molten ore begins to pour in from the ceiling. The king himself, willing to sacrifice his daughter (she knew about it too) has set this trap. Vader, with Trios in tow, is able to escape the tunnel and they make their way to just outside the throne room. Trios makes one last attempt on Vader’s life, which costs her a hand. As they enter the throne room, Trios sees her father, siblings, and all the attendants dead. Triple Zero and BT had already infiltrated the chamber and, with characteristic glee, murdered everyone. Vader confers the crown on Trios, and opens the box containing the gift meant for the planet’s ruler. It’s a rock. “What is it?”, asks Trios. “A small reminder of what happens to worlds who resist the Emperor”, he says. “This is what remains of Alderaan”. Trios will have the Empire’s help in pacifying the Ore-Dukes and meeting the quotas. Trios is left with this admonishment from Vader: You rule Shu-torun, but you serve the Empire.
I wonder what the crapper looks like in this place. Pretty fancy, I bet.
In the aftermath of the events on Vrogas Vas, Darth Vader returns to Coruscant and presents the Emperor with the body of would be usurper Commander Karbin. “You wish me to prove myself...give me a fight worthy of my time," he says. Palpatine tells him that the Ore Barons of Shu-torun are rebelling against Queen Trios and the Empire (they’re called Ore Dukes in the annual--same guys). Vader is to lead a full military intervention; and, at Grand General Tagge’s insistence, Dr. Cylo will join Vader. On Shu-torun, Trios fights alongside Vader and his troops on the front lines. They lead a frontal assault as a distraction while Voidgazer (one of Cylo’s proteges) utilizes her drones to blast a hole in the cavern’s ceiling. A flood of lava consumes the delving citadel which was also serving as the rebels’ stronghold. Trios is visibly disturbed by the destruction wrought on her people and their property, rebellious though they may be. She and Vader return to the royal palace where Cylo, who for some reason is dressed like The Squire of Gothos, and the Astarte twins are hanging out. They do a little verbal sparring with the Sith, apparently ignorant of the fact that the only reason he hasn’t killed them yet is because he’s still trying to think of the most painful way to do it. Vader tells Trios they will deal with the remaining rebel Barons in the same manner as the one today. She objects that if the delving citadels are destroyed, the planet will not be able to meet the Empire’s demands. “All you must do is obey, Queen Trios," he reminds her. Trios follows Vader and, when they are alone, tells him that if he disrespects her in front of her subordinates, as he just did, she will not be able to effectively rule them when he is gone. Vader says he will treat her with the illusion of respect if she does not question him in pubic. “It’s a deal," she says. “No,” he retorts, “it is simply how it will be." When she leaves, Vader has BT and Triple Zero arrange for him to make an anonymous broadcast to a group of bounty hunters including, among others, Dengar, Zuckuss, and Black Krrrsantan. Their target: Dr. Aphra, dead or alive.
Vader, wondering whether this should be classified as Romanesque or Gothic architecture.
In the wake of the Empire’s attack, the Ore Barons, with Rubix as the de facto leader, confer with each other via holo and decide that enough is enough. They’ve got to remind Trios that the royalty serves them and they protect the royalty. Meanwhile, Trios, Vader, Cylo, and the twins are at the ancestral retreat of the Shu-torun royalty planning their next move. One of Rubix’s vessels emerges from a lava river and begins firing on the castle. Vader leads the twins on a mission to destroy the ship. They get inside, Vader goes left and the twins go right, and when they get to the hull they breach it and escape the vessel as it fills with lava. It is now clear to Vader and Trios that the Ore Barons are not going to back down. Rubix will be their next target. Darth Vader tells Cylo to make sure his abominations are ready. Back at his lab Cylo confers with Grand General Tagge. Basically, Tagge doesn’t like that Vader is such a show off glory hog. He tells Cylo it would be good if the Empire won this conflict, but not necessarily Vader. Meanwhile, Triple Zero informs Darth Vader that bounty hunter Beebox has successfully located Dr. Aphra. When Beebox sees Vader he is noticeably nervous, not having known it was the Dark Lord who commissioned the hunt. He shows him a pile of ashes. “I had to use a disintegrator”, he says. Vader knows he is lying just to get the reward, so he gently scolds him and tells him not to do anything like this again. No, I’m kidding. He kills him. Kills him dead. Finally, as the Ore Barons gather for another conference, Cylo comes before them and offers them a way to get Vader.
Review (Part I)
Darth Vader Issue 16, Cover A
The Shu-torun War maintains the strong Kieron Gillen Darth Vader run. The series continues to showcase Vader as a compelling protagonist as well as allowing for the introduction and development of interesting supporting characters. Cylo and his creations become, I think, more palatable after their somewhat jarring introduction earlier in the series. Aphra’s absence is acknowledged and worked into the story pretty seamlessly but not dwelt upon. We are introduced to Princess (later Queen) Trios and the planet Shu-torun. The planet itself is very reminiscent of Mustafar except that it has a sizable human population with a longstanding civilization and culture. The interior of their dwellings appears to be decorated in a Georgian style (some might say Victorian, but I say it looks more Georgian--fight me!). There also seems to be some Gothic influence; seriously, I think I saw a flying buttress somewhere. It’s the kind of thing that would probably come off as cheesy if it were on film, but I think works in the comic because it conveys to us something about what kind of people we are dealing with. A people who uphold royalty, nobility, and courtly culture. Again, the idea of the Empire needing increased resources in the aftermath of the Battle of Yavin continues to provide an ongoing theme for the series as well as supply motivation for Vader’s visit. Salvador Larroca’s art in the regular issues continues to shine and Leinil Yu did a good job in the Annual as well. I actually like Yu’s art in this annual more than what he did in the Rebel Jail arc. The difference could be due to the fact that there is a different colorist here; Rebel Jail was very muted, too dark in some places. That’s not the case in the Annual. Next week, the conclusion of the Shu-torun War!
