Summary
- Rogue One highlights Vader’s strength and power during the Empire’s control.
- Ahsoka’s encounter with Vader in the World Between Worlds shows his vulnerability.
- Vader’s conflict and struggle with his identity are revealed in Darth Vader #10.
SCREENRANT VIDEO OF THE DAY
- Who are Peyton Stearns Parents? Meet Mike Stearns and Denise Stearns
- Who are John Daly Parents? Meet Jim Daly and Lou Daly
- The Bold and the Beautiful Daily Recaps and News
- Who are Eyal Golasa Parents? Meet Avner Golasa
- Why is Xenoverse 2 Gohan and Videl Mentor Not Showing Up? How to Fix Xenoverse 2 Gohan and Videl Mentor Not Showing Up?
SCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT
You are watching: Star Wars: 10 Best Darth Vader Stories, Ranked
Darth Vader has had a number of incredible stories over the years, but these 10 are absolutely essential to understanding his larger Star Wars arc. Darth Vader is one of Star Wars’ most powerful Sith and easily one of the franchise’s most compelling characters. In fact, even in movies and shows in which Vader is absent, such as Star Wars: The Force Awakens, his legacy is ever-present.
While many of Darth Vader’s most pivotal moments take place in Star Wars movies and TV shows, Vader’s story has also been developed wonderfully in Star Wars books and comics. Indeed, Darth Vader has been given multiple comic book series, which have consisted of some of Vader’s most powerful, shocking, and profound moments. Of all the Star Wars media in which Darth Vader appears, these 10 stories from movies, shows, and comics are the most critical.
Related
Hayden Christensen’s 10 Best Lines As Anakin Skywalker And Darth Vader
Of all Hayden Christensen’s incredible lines as Anakin Skywalker and Darth Vader throughout his Star Wars appearances, these 10 are the very best.
10 Darth Vader’s Strength And Status Were Clear In Rogue One
Rogue One May Have Been The Peak Of Vader’s Power
Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
Where to Watch
*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
Director Gareth Edwards Release Date December 13, 2016 Studio(s) Lucasfilm Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers Tony Gilroy , Chris Weitz
While Darth Vader’s iconic hallway scene in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story is undoubtedly one of his most memorable in the movie (and in all of Star Wars), there’s so much else to Vader’s story in this movie. Rogue One is set during a particularly interesting time in the Star Wars timeline. With A New Hope right on its heels, Rogue One sets the stage for the destruction of the Empire.
Because of that, the Imperials—Vader included—seem more anxious about maintaining control than they do throughout the shows that come before it, such as Star Wars Rebels. While the Empire was always fighting to maintain control, Rogue One shows how aware they are that the Rebel threats are growing more legitimate all the time. Not only did this contribute to the Darth Vader hallway scene, but it can also explain the odd change to Vader’s typical aloofness in the controversial line “Be careful not to choke on your aspirations.”
9 Darth Vader’s Appearance In Ahsoka Revealed Insecurities
The World Between Worlds Showed A Different Side to Vader
Ahsoka
Action
Drama
Sci-Fi
Where to Watch
*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
Cast Rosario Dawson , Natasha Liu Bordizzo , Hayden Christensen , Eman Esfandi , Ivanna Sakhno , Mary Elizabeth Winstead , Ray Stevenson , Genevieve O’Reilly , Lars Mikkelsen , Diana Lee Inosanto Release Date August 23, 2023 Seasons 1 Streaming Service(s) Disney Plus Franchise(s) Star Wars
Darth Vader’s appearance in the Ahsoka show is complicated because, although he engages with Ahsoka in the World Between Worlds, that isn’t really Vader. In fact, it remains a mystery what precisely that was, as the version of Anakin Ahsoka meets during that episode seems quite distinct from Anakin’s Force ghost in the Ahsoka finale. If anything, he feels more like a memory or a vision than truly Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader.
Even so, this is an important story in Darth Vader’s larger arc, for one key reason. Darth Vader’s interactions with Ahsoka in the World Between Worlds reveal an interesting sensitivity. When Ahsoka references his fall to the dark side, Anakin/Vader asks her, “Is that what this is about?” He is clearly offended, and that sends him into attack mode. This is compelling and significant, as it means that Darth Vader may have struggled to face what he’d done even when he’d risen to such great power.
8 Darth Vader #10 (2017) Showed Vader Was Still Grappling With Identity
A Familiar Jedi Face Proves Too Much For Lord Vader
Close
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Created By George Lucas Cast Bob Anderson , Hayden Christensen , James Earl Jones , Matt Lanter , Matt Lucas , Jake Lloyd , David Prowse , Sebastian Shaw First Appearance Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope Alliance Jedi, Sith
Star Wars: Darth Vader #10 (2017), written by Charles Soule, is one of the most fascinating Darth Vader comics, as it throws him directly into his past as Anakin Skywalker and raises interesting questions about his allegiances. The focus of the comic is Vader’s mission to collect Jocasta Nu, the previous archivist of the Jedi Temple, who is revealed to be one of the survivors of Order 66. However, Darth Vader is shocked when Jocasta Nu figures out who he is and tells the troopers who are with him.
Purchase Star Wars: Darth Vader #10 (2017)
In addition to killing Jocasta Nu, despite Emperor Palpatine telling him to bring her in alive, Vader kills every trooper who has been informed of his old identity. This suggests that Vader is still wary of a pull to the light, as he cannot handle hearing about or having others discover his past as a Jedi. However, an equally fascinating part of the story is Vader’s decision to destroy Jocasta Nu’s list of Force-sensitive children rather than give the list to Palpatine, which is a confusing decision suggesting his uncertain allegiance to the Emperor.
7 Darth Vader #5 (2020) Was A Reminder Of How Significant Padmé Remained
Truly, Darth Vader Never Recovered From His Greatest Loss
Close
Padmé Amidala
Created By George Lucas Cast Natalie Portman , Catherine Taber First Appearance Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace Alliance Naboo, Republic
Star Wars: Darth Vader #5 (2020), written by Greg Pak, shockingly opens with Darth Vader standing at the tomb of Padmé Amidala. While this visit seems like a long time coming, it is nevertheless a surprise to see, as Star Wars’ movies and shows have never shown Darth Vader returning to Naboo. This is especially interesting, as he visits her because he has discovered that Luke Skywalker is his son, and he wants answers.
Purchase Star Wars: Darth Vader #5 (2020)
During the comic, Darth Vader also encounters Sabé, Padmé’s handmaiden and closest friend. This was no doubt shocking and disquieting for Vader, as Sabé was known for sharing a striking resemblance to Padmé herself. It is also revealed, through Sabé, that a group called the Amidalans has been acting opposite the Empire in Padmé’s name.
In addition to this fascinating broader context, though Darth Vader #5 (2020) is also profound for Vader specifically. Vader spends the comic tracking down information about the secret birth of his son and, in the process, discovers that Obi-Wan was present for the birth and Padmé’s death, despite him trying to save her life. The comic then shockingly cuts to images of Vader, then Anakin with a Padawan braid, then Anakin as a child falling down a reactor shaft. Truly, this story, for all its elements, is essential to understand Vader’s arc.
6 Star Wars Rebels’ Ahsoka Arc Revealed How Far Vader Had Fallen
Darth Vader Betrayed Anakin Skywalker’s Promise To Ahsoka
Close
Star Wars Rebels
Animation
Adventure
Action
Where to Watch
*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
Cast David Oyelowo , Steve Blum , Freddie Prinze Jr. , Tiya Sircar , Vanessa Marshall , Jason Isaacs , Taylor Gray Seasons 4 Network Disney Channel Streaming Service(s) Disney+ Franchise(s) Star Wars
One of the most devastating Darth Vader stories in all of Star Wars is his encounter with his former Padawan, Ahsoka Tano, in Rebels. Both Vader and Ahsoka are shocked to discover the other is alive, and Ahsoka is so stunned to discover Vader’s real identity that she faints. The two then have an epic battle with one another, although, arguably, the dialogue is even more important than the fight.
Despite Anakin always telling Ahsoka that he couldn’t let her die and wouldn’t let anything happen to her, Darth Vader chillingly says, “Then you will die” when Ahsoka says she won’t leave him again. This is also perhaps the closest Darth Vader comes to being like Anakin Skywalker before his return to the light side of the Force. When Vader’s mask is cracked during his fight with Ahsoka, he says, “Ahsoka” in a way that almost sounds like a lamentation.
This is also perhaps the closest Darth Vader comes to being like Anakin Skywalker before his return to the light side of the Force.
Sadly, while Ahsoka briefly believes she has gotten through to the true Anakin underneath, that isn’t the case. Rather, he seems to snap out of his brief moment of humanity and prepares to destroy her. Even so, this story is massively important to Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker’s larger arc.
5 Darth Vader #5 (2017) Depicted Vader’s Shocking Conflict
Just As Palpatine Feared, Vader Still Felt A Draw To The Light
Close
Emperor Palpatine / Darth Sidious
Created By George Lucas Cast Ian McDiarmid , Sam Witwer , ian abercrombie First Appearance Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back Alliance Sith, Empire
Star Wars: Darth Vader #5 (2017), written by Charles Soule, is yet another pivotal comic in Darth Vader’s Star Wars arc. In fact, this is one of several stories where Darth Vader’s lingering internal conflict is revealed. In this story, Emperor Palpatine charges his Sith apprentice with finally bleeding a Kyber crystal and creating a classic Sith red lightsaber of his own.
Purchase Star Wars: Darth Vader #5 (2017)
However, this process is not so straightforward. Rather, when Vader attempts to bleed the green Kyber crystal he won in a fight against a Jedi, he begins to have visions of himself choosing the light side, returning to kill Emperor Palpatine, and even reconnecting with Obi-Wan. Devastatingly, he ultimately turns away from this future, insisting that it’s too late for him. However, this reveals how genuinely conflicted he remained and how much his past continued to haunt him.
Devastatingly, he ultimately turns away from this future, insisting that it’s too late for him.
4 Former Master And Apprentice Got The Perfect Closure In Obi-Wan Kenobi
Vader’s Encounter With Obi-Wan Was Essential To His Story
Obi-Wan Kenobi
Sci-Fi
Action
Adventure
Where to Watch
*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
Cast Bonnie Piesse , Hayden Christensen , Moses Ingram , O’Shea Jackson Jr. , Simone Kessell , Ewan McGregor , Grant Feely , Joel Edgerton , Maya Erskine , Benny Safdie , Indira Varma , Marisé Álvarez , Sung Kang , Rupert Friend , Kumail Nanjiani Release Date May 27, 2022 Seasons 1 Network Disney Channel Streaming Service(s) Disney Franchise(s) Star Wars
Expand
The Obi-Wan Kenobi show was a thrill for Star Wars audiences, as it saw the return of Obi-Wan Kenobi actor Ewan McGregor and Anakin Skywalker actor Hayden Christensen. In fact, in addition to bringing the two characters back, the show saw them come together, with Vader and Obi-Wan having one final face-off before they meet for the last time in A New Hope. This story was crucial not only for Obi-Wan and his path to healing from the events of Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith but also for Vader, who was still consumed with thoughts of revenge.
While Obi-Wan had no idea Anakin had survived their battle on Mustafar and became Darth Vader, Vader seemingly never doubted that Obi-Wan had somehow survived Order 66. He had clearly long sought this encounter with Obi-Wan, stressing to the Imperial Inquisitors that tracking the Jedi down was of the utmost importance. Although Vader lost the fight to Obi-Wan, this confrontation between the former master and apprentice solidified for Darth Vader that Anakin Skywalker was truly dead and, in an odd way, even absolved Obi-Wan of fault.
This confrontation between the former master and apprentice solidified for Darth Vader that Anakin Skywalker was truly dead.
3 Vader Down Is A Fan-Favorite Darth Vader Story
One Of Vader’s Most Iconic Lines Comes In A Pivotal Story
Close
Star Wars: Vader Down #1 (2015), written by Jason Aaron, is easily best known for its iconic scene in which a swarm of Rebel fighters warn Vader to surrender because he is surrounded. Chillingly, Vader simply tells them, “All I am surrounded by is fear. And dead men.” This is inarguably one of Darth Vader’s most incredible lines, and it continues to be referenced frequently by Star Wars audiences. However, Vader Down has a larger significance, too.
Purchase Star Wars: Vader Down #1 (2015)
Alongside this epic quote, this comic is the story in which Vader begins to take a special interest in Luke Skywalker. Although he does not yet know Luke is his son, he can sense that there is something quite special about him. In fact, in the story, Vader even says, “Wait… I sense….” It isn’t clear precisely what Vader means by this; however, because he follows it up with a reference to Luke possibly being strong in the Force, it’s safe to assume he senses Luke’s Force sensitivity, not his identity.
2 Revenge Of The Sith Is A Critical Part Of Darth Vader’s Arc
Star Wars Was Forever Changed By The Events Of Revenge Of The Sith
Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith
Where to Watch
*Availability in US
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
Director George Lucas Release Date May 19, 2005 Studio(s) Lucasfilm Distributor(s) 20th Century Fox Writers George Lucas , John Ostrander , Jan Duursema Cast Ewan McGregor , Natalie Portman , Hayden Christensen , Ian McDiarmid , Samuel L. Jackson , Christopher Lee , Anthony Daniels , Kenny Baker , Frank Oz , Ahmed Best , Temuera Morrison
Expand
Revenge of the Sith is easily one of Darth Vader’s most important stories in all of Star Wars. After all, this is when Anakin Skywalker turns to the dark side and becomes Darth Vader. Revenge of the Sith also sets so much else in motion, from the fall of the Jedi to the formation of the Empire. However, it’s also fascinating to recognize how much Anakin changes in just one movie alone.
Yes, Anakin was always flawed and toed the line when it came to the light and dark side, but at the beginning of Revenge of the Sith, he seems to be on the right path. Aside from killing Count Dooku (which the Jedi had interestingly already sanctioned), Anakin seems loyal to the Republic, pleased to discover Padmé is pregnant, and is even getting on so well with Obi-Wan that he apologizes for his previous arrogance. Sadly, all of that crumbles, and this story is the one in which Anakin is finally consumed by his fear, anger, and hate.
This story is the one in which Anakin is finally consumed by his fear, anger, and hate.
1 Return of The Jedi Is Darth Vader’s Most Important Story
In The End, Darth Vader Returned To The Light
Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi
Director Richard Marquand Release Date May 25, 1983 Studio(s) Lucasfilm Distributor(s) 20th Century Writers Lawrence Kasdan , George Lucas Cast Mark Hamill , Carrie Fisher , Harrison Ford , James Earl Jones , Billy Dee Williams , Ian McDiarmid , Peter Mayhew , Anthony Daniels , Kenny Baker , David Prowse , Frank Oz , Sebastian Shaw , Alec Guinness
Expand
Of all Darth Vader’s stories, his arc in Return of the Jedi is the single most important. In some ways, Return of the Jedi is the inverse of Revenge of the Sith, and, happily, it ends on a positive note for Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader. Despite all he’d done and the damage he’d caused, when Vader was truly faced with the possible death of his son, he made the right decision. In the end, he chose the love he had for Luke over power, anger, and the dark side.
This story of Darth Vader’s redemption is arguably not only the core of the Skywalker Saga but also, in some sense, the message of Star Wars in its entirety. Darth Vader’s story in Return of the Jedi proves that no matter what someone has done and how far they have fallen, they can always decide to turn back to the light. Although each of these 10 stories is essential to understanding Darth Vader’s Star Wars arc, truly, Return of the Jedi stands out as the single most critical for what it represents.
Source: https://anhngunewlight.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment