Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #2 cover image - art by Ariel Olivetti

Published by Dark Horse Comics, Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin is a new Star Wars comic book series from writer Tim Siedell and artists Stephen Thompson and Mark Irwin.  The series is set during “The Rise of the Empire” era and takes place some months after the events depicted in the film, Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005).

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin centers on a plot by a wealthy industrialist to kill Emperor Palpatine’s mysterious apprentice, Darth Vader, who killed the industrialist’s son.  After eight assassins failed, the vengeful father hires a ninth assassin, who is mysterious and powerful.

As Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #2 begins, the Heinsnake suddenly strikes.  The Empire faces a wave a terrorist attacks.  And an eons-dead, dark, ancient cult may be making its return.

THE LOWDOWN:  In my review of Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #1, I wrote that if the second and third issues and so on are good, they will continue to give us the awesome read that the first issue promises.  One down:  Damn, Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin #2 is a good comic book.  I could have read another 100 pages of this in one sitting.

Writer Tim Siedell has crafted a story in which, the Emperor, Vader, and the Empire are actually, seriously menaced by a credible, but largely unknown enemy… or enemies.  Artist Stephen Thompson graphically conveys Siedell’s story as an epic in big panels that capture the grandeur of power, the scale of Imperial infrastructure, but, most of all, the vastness of the galaxy and how that enormity can hide entities capable of destroying even a Galactic Empire.  This is a Star Wars must-read comic book.

POSSIBLE AUDIENCE:  People who read Star Wars comics will want Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin.