Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith‘s “Burning Seas” arc (issues #13-18) is another awesome entry in my current favorite Star Wars comic run from Soule. This is another unforgettable arc for the series.

Set roughly a year after the events of Revenge of the Sith, “Burning Seas,” finds Palpatine ready to let the galaxy learn the Empire is not a benevolent successor to the Republic, but rather a dominating military power who is anything but the friendly neighborhood government. He tasks Tarkin and Vader with bringing Mon Cala to heel, providing the galaxy a lesson on how the Empire truly operates now. It especially fun and intriguing to watch Tarkin and Vader interact.

I also really enjoy that Soule gives us moments of introspection with Vader as he processes his past. The series so far has kept Vader, and plenty of introspective moments about the helmeted Sith Lord, at the forefront, but this was the only arc that doesn’t keep him in the spotlight as much. The first issue does find Vader revisiting his fateful battle with Obi-Wan on Mustafar, except this time he’s already Vader and thus able to win, as he is no longer the foolish young man Anakin was back then. Otherwise, some of the Tarkin and Vader relationship is brought to the forefront this arc, as I mentioned above. It is intriguing to watch Tarkin attempt to learn just how powerful Vader is.

The art team of Giuseppe Camuncoli (pencils), Daniele Orlandini (inks), and David Curiel, with an assist from Java Tartaglia and Guru-eFX for one issue, (colors) is one of the best on Marvel’s Star Wars many series at the moment. Some of the art in this series is just astounding. ( )

What a great way to both expand on loose ends from the Clone Wars and develop Vader. Soule's series so far is like a much needed Year One for the Dark Lord of the Sith. ( )

The Emperor sends Darth Vader to aid the invasion of water world Mon Cala. As Anakin Skywalker during the Clone Wars he protected the world and its sovereign, but as Darth Vader he is there to aid the invaders. ( )