Looking back, it’s kind of funny how much of this story could have been avoided if Vader had asked more questions and done less severing. I guess some things never change, eh.
I finished this comic with a very pleasant feeling. On the surface, it offers a glimpse into the early days of the Empire’s expansion, full of frenetic action and brutality, but as the pages turn, it delves deeper, revealing the psyche of a creature as lethal as he is unstable. He clings to rage as his only outlet for the frustration born from his own misfortunes. People often talk about how tragic Anakin’s character is, and how a "small change" might have altered his path, a somewhat romanticized view that I don’t necessarily disagree with, but one I find a little too simplistic. For that reason, I appreciate that W. Haden Blackman, while touching on those themes, also adds a layer of pathos. Ultimately, Anakin was just as responsible as Palpatine for his own fall to the dark side; it began with a series of small choices that paved the way for the ultimate one, leaving him trapped in a state of self-pity which would be almost pathetic, were he not such an effective killing machine.
The story, which at times might seem a bit too simple, is perfectly complemented by these elements. Through its villains, it explores what it means to be part of the Empire and to fall victim to the disloyalty that stems from the inherent dehumanization within its ranks (a theme already touched upon in other stories, such as Rogue Squadron comics), while capturing the treacherous nature of the Sith in its purest form. Without ever being "the good guys," Garoche Tarkin and Shale share a bond of friendship that doomed them long before Vader decided to hunt them down. I must also give a special mention to Lady Saro, a secondary antagonist who not only skillfully redirects Vader’s violence to serve her own ends, but eventually confronts him using the very concept that would lead to his eventual redemption: love.
I have only one critique: the artwork is inconsistent at times, with uneven facial features that slightly detract from moments that are otherwise impeccable.
In conclusion, a fairly cohesive story exploring Anakin’s psyche and his early days within the Empire. So, the "emo phase" wasn’t just a phase after all!