You know, sometimes it’s really hard to be an objective reporter when your boss tosses your favorite thing in the Universe, in your lap. “Hey Mel, I’ve got the new Star Wars for you.” WHAT?!?! How can I say anything negative about my favorite character of all time, Darth Vader, getting his own comic?

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command #1, is brought to us by Haden Blackman (words), and Rick Leonardi (pencils). It’s the very 1st issue of what I hope ends up being a long running series. I just have to say, this series makes up for the whole Jar-Jar Binks debacle. This book takes Star Wars back to its roots, even though it starts us off where Episode 3 leaves us. Just as “The Clone Wars” cartoon attempts fill in the gap of an additional film, this comic series gives us the alternative…just what happened when Emperor Palpatine took over… what was the deal with turning Anakin Skywalker into a robot/man/evil dude? Well, that’s answered on page 2.

In this comic, we see the side of Darth Vader that George Lucas explored in the last few scenes of Episode 3. He was tricked into joining the Dark Side (sneaky, sneaky Sith!) because of his feelings for Padme, and became a Sith in order to save her. Then she died anyway. Remember that? Well, the comic opens up with him dreaming about what would have happened if he had saved Jedi Master Mace Windu from Darth Sidious (wasn’t Sidious AWESOME!?) and brought order to the Force. He is thinking of her to maintain his sanity while he is getting his new limbs attached.. and yes, they show it!

Small synopsis: Emperor Palpatine calls Darth Vader over to him, and forces him to kneel, in order to reaffirm his servitude. He gives him a mission to find his lost son, Admiral Garoche Tarkin, who was last seen in the Atoan System, in the Ghost Nebula. He is going on this mission with one “Captain Shale” to ensure that he doesn’t fail.. as he gets easily distracted by hunting Jedi. I suppose once you kill the younglings, it’s hard to stop. So, they get to the Atoan system and they encounter people who speak an unknown language, even to the Droids.. and come on Star Wars fans, we all know what happens. Everyone.. at the count of three, let’s make blaster sounds and light saber hums! End scene with the “Death Star” theme! “Daaah Daaaah Daaah! Dadada Dadada!!!!!” *AHEM* Sorry.. In all fairness, I have a Darth Vader key chain.

So, I do want to mention the artwork. I am a real fan of traditional looking comics, but this one isn’t in the traditional style. This is really well done, however. The lines are thick and smooth. The pictures almost seem to pop out at you and the infamous red lightsaber seems to really be glowing, right on the page. Perhaps effects such as that one can only come about if there is an additional computer component, that I usually feel takes some of the romance out of the comic. Of course, it works here. The whole Star Wars dynasty (and at this point, that’s what it is) is based on lightsabers and blasters that brighten up your screen. I have a have a few lightsabers of my own and if they don’t glow.. I get really pissed off and immediately run out for new batteries.

OK.. I know, I know, there are a bazillion Star Wars movies, video games, cartoons, and well…comics. So, why get into this one? Well, it’s really good! The artwork is so cool.. I mean, who else out there has ever wondered what the Hell was going on underneath Darth Vader’s black robot suit looking deal? This comic shows you. Also, as I had mentioned, the story line already gives us two insights into the mind of Darth Vader! One: he still thinks about what his life would have been like, if he had chosen to be remain a Jedi, as opposed to becoming a Sith and Two: He still loves killing them, to an obsessive fault! Maybe he has it in mind that, if he manages to kill all of the Jedi that remain, he won’t have to live with his decision, that ended up leading to the death of his only love? Hmmmm.. maybe! I am pretty excited that this series is out, I didn’t even mention the last page that gives us a pretty cool cliffhanger because I am against ruining plots.

So, my advice: Get into the series “Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Lost Command” and may the Force be with you!