Comic Book Review: Star Wars #16 - Marvel Comics(2016)

"Rebel Jail"

Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Leinil Yu

Dr. Aphra is being transported to a secret Alliance prison by Princess Leia and Sana.  Luke Skywalker and Han Solo are in charge of procuring supplies and Han has a plan to get more than originally planned.

I was a bit surprised at how much Aphra shoots her mouth off about being with Darth Vader as their work together is supposed to be kept a secret from the Empire.  A prison seems like the worst place to tell secrets.

I like the conversation between Sana and Princess Leia.  Leia believes in doing things the right way.  No torture or other nefarious methods that the Empire may employ.  Sana seems to know more about Dr. Aphra and she feels the Rebel Alliance should do whatever they can to get information out of her.
Luke Skywalker and Han Solo have some troubles of their own.  Those troubles should lead us into some new adventures in the next issue.

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Comic Book Review: Darth Vader #15 - Marvel Comics (2016)

Vader Down - Part 6 of 6

Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Salvadore Larroca

The conclusion of the Vader Down story line pits Darth Vader vs. Commander Karbin.  Luke is looking for Princess Leia.  Chewbacca and Han Solo are emboiled in a fight with the Wookie warrior Black Krrsantan.

I love how, despite the story line coming to a conclusion, everything continues.  Fans of The Force Awakens will be speculating about these comic book issues as we still have lingering questions from the film and the comic series may give direction to answer our queries.  It may not be anything either, but these are some of the best comic books being written right now.

If you find yourself more of a fan of the original Star Wars trilogy, you may want to pick up Darth Vader and Star Wars.  Pick up the Vader Down story line in comic book form and see if there are trade paperbacks to catch up.  Better yet, try out the Marvel Unlimited service as it is one of the best subscription services available.

These comics feel very much like you are watching the films.  The way the characters talk and interact with one another is done so remarkably well.  Darth Vader is one of my must have series each and every month.

What are your thoughts on Darth Vader?  What other comic book series' would you like Maskerpiece Theatre to review?  Please leave your comments below.

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Comic Book Review: Star Wars #13 - Marvel Comics (2015)

Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Mike Deodato

Vader Down: Part 3 of 6
Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 have been found by Dr. Aphra, BeeTee and Triple Zero.  Han Solo and Chewbacca have left the rebels to find Luke.  Princess Leia gets a team ready to find Darth Vader.

We get to see Dr. Aphra in action vs. Han Solo.  Chewbacca gets to do what he does best.  Add in all the action that can be handled within the twenty or so pages and you have yourself a great comic book.

The dialogue is everything we have come to expect from Jason Aaron during his run on Star Wars.  Mike Deodato taking over the artistic duties worked out great and doesn't miss a beat.

Getting to the end of this issue leaves you with an extraordinary cliffhanger.  The Vader Down event is truly masterful story telling.

What are your thoughts on Vader Down?  Are you reading all of the Star Wars comic book titles?  What other comic book series' would you like the Maskerpiece Theatre gang to review?  Please leave your comments below.

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Comic Book Review: Darth Vader #13 - Marvel Comics (2015)

Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Salvador Larroca

Vader Down: Part 2 of 6
Darth Vader is under attack after his ship was brought down on the planet Vragos Vos.  The rebels, despite the numbers, do not seem to be much of a match for the Sith Lord.  Han Solo and Princess Leia disagree about where priorities should be.  Leia remembers what happened to her home planet of Alderaan and Han's loyalties are tied to Luke.  Luke finds he and R2-D2 have crash landed near an old Jedi temple.  Aphra and her droids makes their way to Vragos Vos.

The Star Wars/Darth Vader series continues to wow me.  The intertwining stories that are so separate yet woven together is an absolute joy to read.  In the Vader Down #1 review, I was hoping there would be interactions with the characters from Darth Vader's comic book series and the characters from the Star Wars books.  At the end, we get just that!

***Cue the speculation of Aphra as Rey's mother.***

Okay, put down your light sabers, that's a blog and/or podcast for a different day.  We are only in part two of the Vader Down story line and it's been nothing but action and suspense.  Many of the comic book events that I read are a lot of build up and then action at the end.  Not so with Star Wars.  Action, a little more action, comical bantering and then more action.  Grab some popcorn but keep your buttery fingers off the pages.  You're in for a wild ride!

What are your thoughts on the Darth Vader comic book series?  Are you enjoying Vader Down?  What other comic books would you like the Maskerpiece Theatre bunch to review?

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Comic Book Review: Vader Down #1 - Marvel Comics (2015)

Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Mike Deodato

Darth Vader is on his way to Vragos Vos to find Luke Skywalker.  Once there, he meets a rebel fleet and takes them on by himself.

The Darth Vader series has been one of my favorite comic book series going and now it has moved into the Star Wars series as well.  Vader Down is the beginning to the ultimate six issue tie-in.  I know I normally complain about any comic book that is over $3.99 in price.  This doesn't seem to be an ongoing title so I'll forgive the one-off ridiculous price.

 Seeing Vader taking on a fleet of rebel X-Wing fighters was awesome and his eventual take down was remarkable.  The entire rebel army on Vragos Vos get word that Vader is down and Princess Leia sends everyone after him.  You can imagine how Han Solo feels about this.

Luke is down as well and it should be interesting to see if/when he and Vader cross paths. I'm also looking forward to seeing other characters from each book such as  Aphra, BeeTee and Triple Zero from Darth Vader's book interacting with Han Solo, Princess Leia, C-3PO and R2-D2 from the Star Wars books.

What are your thoughts on Vader Down?  How are you liking the Star Wars comic books?  What other comic book series' would you like the Maskerpiece Theatre squad to review?

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Comic Book Review: Darth Vader #12 - Marvel Comics (2015)

Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Salvador Larroca

Darth Vader is in a bit of a pickle as his secret accomplice Aphra is very close to being captured by the Empire.  A change in the relationship between Vader and Inspector Thanoth may change peoples' perspective over who has really been spying on Darth Vader.

"Darth Vader" as a comic book continues to impress me.  A dozen issues in every issue has had my attention in some way, shape or form.  Aphra is a great character along with her bloodthirsty droid companions.  Vader keeping his secret hunt for the boy that blew up the Death Star has had all the twists and turns that you could hope for in a story.

This story will be continued in the first issue of "Vader Down" and then continues back in the regular "Darth Vader" series as well as the "Star Wars" series.  I'll do my best to keep up and attempt to get these scheduled reviews to coincide with what is happening story-wise.

"Darth Vader" #12  is available in comic book shops now with a cover price of $3.99.

You can read more of my blogs here on Maskerpiece Theatre and also on http://cinemaheadcheese.blogspot.com/

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Comic Book Review - Darth Vader #11 - Marvel Comics

Written by: Kieron Gillen

Art by: Salvador Larroca

Inspector Thanoth is hot on the tails of the Ante to find out where a whole bunch of Imperial Credits have gone.  Darth Vader's secret assistant Aphra is paying the Ante to find out where Luke Skywalker is at the same time all of this is going down.  

Everything is coming to a head in this issue.  Darth Vader is doing everything he can to keep his dealings he's been doing on the down low.  This proves difficult as Aphra barely escapes into her ship only to run into a fleet of Imperials.

This comic book series gets better and better the more I read it.  Every time Vader feels like he has all of his dealings covered, Inspector Thanoth comes up with another counter.  The big question is, does Thanoth know Darth Vader is behind it all?  Also, how much longer is Aphra going to be around?  She's been a pleasant surprise in this series.

What do you think about the Darth Vader comic book series?  Leave your comments below please.

You can read more of my blogs here on Maskerpiece Theatre and also on CinemaHeadCheese.blogspot.com