Well, Darth Vader made me get a bit sniffly. Not going to lie. This volume follows Darth Vader in the immediate aftermath of Episode IV, and is best read in conjunction with Star Wars, Vol. 1: Skywalker Strikes to completely follow the action. Actually, read this one AFTER you've read Skywalker. Definitely. Vader has been searching for the mysterious farm boy who managed to blow-up the Death Star, all while facing the wrath of Emperor Palpatine for this same issue. What made this so poignant is the many flashbacks we see of Vader as Anakin, and the great sense of emotion Gillen gives to Vader. You definitely feel for him, and see how he would eventually turn back to the light. The ending was a bit odd, especially the Battlestar Galactica inspired regeneration plot line and the Emperor's secret experiment (just read it, you'll see what I mean), but I will definitely be picking up Volume 2.

You know, I didn't think I'd really enjoy this. Vader is full of such hate and fear. He's in an abusive relationship, and it's been said in canon and Legends how much he hates himself and the galaxy for what happened with Padme. This doesn't shy from any of that. Vader is to obey the Emperor, and only has what power he is gifted by the Emperor, and can be replaced at anytime. This is made very clear right after the Death Star was destroyed, where this picks up. And it's hilarious. First Vader is demoted to working for the dude he choked in New Hope, and then he builds himself his own force. With an evil astromech droid, protocol droid, and a chick who is just like Ahsoka. IT'S AWESOME. I adore this volume and just ordered the next one from my library. I can't get over how well done this is, how it shows how awful Vader feels about everything, how his relationship is messed up and is something he shouldn't have gotten into, and how he can't get out of it. And yet I was giggling from the first part. I LOVE Aphra. I can't wait to see what will happen in this series.