Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Darth Vader #49
Summary
Darth Vadersaving Luke Skywalker BEFOREReturn of the Jedisignificantly changes how we should view their final battle aboard the second Death Star. As Marvel’s canonicalDarth Vaderseries set between Episodes V and VI comes to a close, events have been building to a new encounter between the titular Dark Lord of the Sith and his son. To that end, the latest issue has put Vader on the same planet as Luke, while also saving the younger Skywalker’s life.
InDarth Vader #49by Greg Pak and Raffaele Ienco,the Schsim Imperial betrays Darth Vaderin their desire to eliminate Luke Skywalker, wanting to remove the young Jedi as a potential source of power for Emperor Palpatine (whom they’ve been trying to overthrow). While Vader had been allied to their cause, he drew the line at destroying his son, hence the Schism’s decision to incapacitate the Dark Lord and leave him to the Rebel cyborg MAR Corps who recently had their droid brain implants freed from Vader’s control. However,Darth Vader convinces them to help him save Luke before it’s too late:
Just as the Schism Imperial was about to obliterate Luke Skywalker with a powerful kyber weapon,Darth Vader saves his son by creating a Force shield, arriving just in time thanks to his extremely temporary truce with these Rebel cyborgs who agreed that saving Luke was in all their interests.
Star Wars Movies In Order: How To Watch Release Order, Chronologically & With The TV Shows
What’s the best way to watch Star Wars? Here’s everything you need to know to watch in release or timeline order, and how to include the TV shows.
Why Darth Vader Saved Luke Before Return of the Jedi
It Was For The Wrong Reasons
WithLuke’s darkness and potential hatred having been tested by Sabéin the previous issue ofDarth Vader, it was revealed that the Dark Lord could sense what was happening to his son despite being worlds away. Eagerly waiting to see whether his son would embrace and unleash his hatred, Vader was disappointed that Luke had resisted the dark side’s pull.This is why Vader refused to go to his son even after he was given Luke’s exact coordinates, believing Luke was not yet ready to be offered a second chance at joining him.
That said,the Schism Imperial seemingly forced Vader’s hand with their attempt to kill Luke. Although it seems he would have preferred to have stayed away until Luke was potentially more susceptible to the dark side’s power, Vader had to come and save his son from being killed. Naturally, his motivations behind keeping his son alive were still wrongat this point in theStar Warstimeline, as he still wanted to try and turn him to the dark side so that they could defeat Palpatine and rule the galaxy as father and son.
Darth Vader Didn’t Get It Right Until The Second Death Star
Saving Luke Out of Genuine Love And A Desire For Redemption
Ultimately, Vader does end up saving his son for the right reasons as seen inReturn of the Jedi, having found genuine love for Luke and a desire to return to what his son believed was still there within him.That said, the fact that Darth Vader canonically saved Luke just before Episode VI for all the wrong reasons is a huge deal for theStar Warscanon. One also has to wonder if the two will have a new face-to-face encounter in the final issue ofDarth Vaderthat’s soon to come from Marvel Comics.
Perhaps the titular Dark Lord of the Sith will get a second chance to offer his son the dark side’s power inDarth Vader #50. Conversely, maybe Luke will get his first chance to try and bring his father back to the light.After all, his father did just save his life in this newStar Warsissue, a major moment that certainly tweaks how the events ofReturn of the Jediare perceivedin some pretty dynamic ways.
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
Cast
Return of the Jedi concludes George Lucas’s original Star Wars trilogy with Luke Skywalker and his allies seeking to rescue Han Solo from Jabba the Hutt and facing a renewed threat as the Emperor attempts to obliterate the Rebellion through a second Death Star, broadening the epic battle between good and evil.
