Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Star Wars Purge - The Hidden BladeStar Wars Purge: The Hidden Blade One Shot
Dark Horse Comics
Blackman & Scalf

Dark Horse pushes out another one shot surrounding the events of Order 66 and the hunting down of the Jedi. As has been the case in the previous two installments, this issue involves Vader battling a Jedi. This comic isn't simply Vader hunting down one though, as we find there is a bit more to this story to help flesh out some more failure for Vader despite the apparent victory. It's a good story from a creative team that I'm not all that familiar with. If you are looking for a Darth Vader comic then this is about as good as it gets.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsDarth Vader is dispatched to a small forest world to protect a base that is creating AT-ATs. I find that the best Star Wars stories contain elements that are rooted to the original trilogy so I liked the idea that there is an AT-AT factory out there somewhere.

Vader battles with the rebels that keep assaulting the factory and he eventually decides that the group must be led by a Jedi. He confers with the Emperor via Star Wars version of a webcast and the Emperor reminds Vader to forget his obsession with the Jedi and focus on the task at hand.

Vader ignores orders and sets out after the Jedi. He finds himself battling rebels and native animals that resemble Godzilla and ultimately, he finds the Jedi. However, Vader was led into a trap that proves to be a loss despite the fact that he survives it.

It's a good comic book. I thought the story was original and certainly believable in the larger context of the Star Wars universe. I would have liked to have had more insight into why he is obsessed with finding the Jedi, as previous issues recount his fixation on finding Obi-Wan. I found the comic to have nailed Vader's voice down very well. This is really difficult to do because he isn't the kind of character that openly threatens people with words but more with actions and implying violence. I found those elements to be here and work well.

This is going to sound insane but I found the artwork to remind me of Ralph McQuarrie. The style is painted with heavy shading and it just jumped out that these were scenes I could picture in the conceptual designs from McQuarrie. I like the style and while you don't get nearly as menacing a look for Vader, you do get a very surreal view of the world and the characters. This was an excellent effort from the art department.

You don't get too many no strings attached comic books in this day and age but this is one. All you need to know is the original trilogy to enjoy this Darth Vader story. I hope Dark Horse continues to produce these Purge stories because all three have had something different to offer up and have been enjoyable reads. If you like a good Darth Vader story then this is the comic book for you.

4 out of 5 Geek Goggles