Comic Book Review: Darth Vader #14 - Marvel Comics (2015)

Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Salvador Larocca

Vader Down: Part 4 of 6
Princess Leia is face to face with Darth Vader.  Han Solo, Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 are heading to the Millennium Falcon as they feel they have successfully defeated Dr. Aphra and her droids.

Dr. Aphra is down but not out.  She had called for back up and that back up arrives.  Han Solo and Chewbacca stay to deal with Aphra's ally and Luke goes to save Leia from her suicidal plan.

Just when you think everything is coming together, we get another wild card thrown into the mix on the last page cliffhanger.  Marvel is on the top of their game with this writing force.  Kieron Gillen is writing so well with the Darth Vader series and it blends seamlessly with Json Aaron's Star Wars series.

What do you think of the Vader Down event?  Are you reading any of the Star Wars comic series' from Marvel Comics?  What other comic book series' would you like to see Maskerpiece Theatre 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: Star Wars #9 - Marvel Comic

Written by: Jason Aaron

Art by: Stuart Immonen

Luke Skywalker is looking for clues about the Jedi and has a run in with some of the biggest gangsters in the universe.  Han Solo and Princess Leia are in a fight for their lives with the unlikely companionship of Han's "wife."  Someone needs to save Luke but who will step up and do so?

For those of you out there that loved the original Star Wars movies, this comic book series takes place between episode IV and V (A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back).  The verbal exchange between characters, especially Han Solo's scenes, feel like you can actually hear their voices.  This holds true in issue #9.  This book is suspenseful and fun which is how a Star Wars comic should be.

The mystery behind Han Solo's wife is still there as nothing can be explained while Imperials are hot on the tail of Leia and Han.  There is a great panel where Leia and Han's wife have a good back and forth and when Han attempts to interject, the ladies each answer him at the same time with a "No!"  This was incredibly well done as I can totally see that play out on the big screen.

Luke is in serious trouble in this issue and may require some assistance.  The reveal at the end will make you ready for issue #10.