Darth Vader

Creation & Design

Darth Vader was created by George Lucas for the Star Wars franchise, designed to be a menacing figure representing the dark side of the Force.

Early Years

Anakin Skywalker was a Jedi Knight who fell to the dark side and became Darth Vader, serving as the right hand of Emperor Palpatine.

Character Development

Darth Vader's character evolves from a tragic hero to a villain and ultimately to a redeemed figure, showcasing themes of power, loss, and redemption.

Cultural Reception

Darth Vader is widely regarded as one of the greatest villains in cinematic history, receiving critical acclaim for his complex character.

Character Details

Real Name:
Anakin Skywalker
Aliases:
Dark Lord of the Sith, Lord Vader, The Chosen One
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Galactic Empire, Sith Order, Separatists
Abilities:
Force sensitivity, Lightsaber combat, Piloting
Equipment:
Lightsaber, TIE Fighter, Darth Vader suit
Weight:
200lbs
Height:
6' 0"
Eye Color:
yellow
Hair Color:
black

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Marvel ⋅ 1977

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Key Facts

Issues #1 - #6 are an adaptation of 'Star Wars: A New Hope'

1st appearance of Darth Vader

1st appearance of Luke Skywalker

1st appearance of Princess Leia

1st appearance of C-3PO and R2-D2

1st appearance of Grand Moff Tarkin

1st appearance of Beru and Owen Lars

Introduction of Stormtroopers

1st cover appearance of Obi Wan Kenobi and Han Solo (not in story)

๐Ÿ“– Reading Order: read Star Wars (1977) #1 - #6, then Princess Leia #1

Marvel ⋅ 1977

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2nd appearance of Wedge Antilles, brief, identified by name

Battle of Luke Skywalker versus Darth Vader

Final issue of the Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope movie adaptation

Star Wars #7 begins original stories in the expanded Star Wars Universe

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1st appearance of Kharys, an apprentice to Darth Vader

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Cover art featuring Darth Vader

Marvel ⋅ 1980

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First meeting of Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker

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Adaptation of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back in an oversized comic book magazine

1st appearance of Yoda

1st appearance of Boba Fett

1st appearance of Lando Calrissian

1st appearance of Lobot

1st cameo appearance of Emperor Palpatine aka Darth Sidious, Bossk, 4-Lom, Dengar and IG-88

1st team appearance of Rogue Squadron

๐Ÿ“– Reading Order: next read Star Wars Adventures #1 (2020 series)

Marvel ⋅ 1981

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Key Facts

Interior story depicts the moment when Darth Vader revealed he is the father of Luke Skywalker

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Obtained by mailing in a coupon found in Wizard Magazine #94

Original 15-page story with four pages of character sketches

Preview sketch of Darth Maul

1st appearance of Anakin Skywalker, later becomes Darth Vader

1st appearance of Jar Jar Binks

1st appearance of Qui-Gon Jinn

1st appearance of Padme

Dark Horse ⋅ 2001

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Battle of Darth Maul vs Darth Vader

Variant ⋅ Dark Horse ⋅ 2001

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Variant photo cover

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Series centers on alternate outcomes of known Star Wars stories along the lines of Marvel's 'What If...?' and DC's 'Elseworlds'

Appearance of Darth Vader in a white version of his suit to symbolize his redemption from the dark side

Dark Horse ⋅ 2003

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Cover appearance of Darth Vader, Darth Maul, Count Dooku, Asajj Ventress, Palpatine, Queen Zalem

Dark Horse ⋅ 2004

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Cover art featuring Anakin Skywalker, six months before Revenge of the Sith

Copies ordered by retailers: 19,823

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Variant cover art by Douglas Wheatley

25th Anniversary of Dark Horse Comics variant

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Variant cover art by Douglas Wheatley, limited to 500 copies

1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Variant cover art by Whilce Portacio

UK Edition ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Variant cover art by Mike Deodato

Store exclusive

1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Variant cover art by Mike Del Mundo

1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Variant cover art by Alex Ross

1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Variant cover art by J. Scott Campbell

Connecting cover

GameStop ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Variant cover art by Greg Horn

GameStop exclusive

Photo Cover ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Movie variant

Action Figure ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Variant cover art by John Tyler Christopher

Action Figure variant

1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Variant cover art by Salvador Larroca

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Variant cover art by Phil Noto

Store exclusive

1:100 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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Variant sketch cover art by John Cassaday

Exclusive ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015

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ZBOX mystery box exclusive

1st cover appearance of Black Krrsantan - tied as first cover appearance with the Mile High Comics exclusive by Skottie Young

Vader Down #1 went on sale November 18th, 2015

1:4999 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2016

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Variant cover art by Chip Zdarsky

Store Exclusive ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2016

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Variant cover art by Mike Mayhew

Comic Con Box exclusive

Exclusive ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2016

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Variant cover art by Alex Maleev

Disney Parks variant sold on site at Disney World and Disneyland

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Premiere issue of a five-issue limited series featuring Obi-Wan Kenobi during the time he served as Master to the Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, the future father of Luke Skywalker who would even later become Darth Vader

๐Ÿ“– Reading Order: read Obi-Wan and Anakin #1 - #5, then Age of Republic - Count Dooku #1

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2016

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Variant cover art by Katie Cook

Store exclusive

1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2016

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Variant cover art by Cliff Chiang

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2016

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Variant cover art by Michael Cho

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2017

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Variant cover art by Paul Renaud

40th Anniversary cover

1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2017

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Variant cover art by Mark Brooks

Cover art inspired by Uncanny X-Men #145 (1981)

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Introduction of Fortress Vader

1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2017

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Variant cover art by Giuseppe Camuncoli

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Origin of Darth Vader's red lightsaber

1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018

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Variant cover art by John Tyler Christopher

Negative Space cover

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Origin of Darth Vader's castle

๐Ÿ“– Reading Order: read Tales From Vader's Castle #1 - #3, then FCBD Star Wars Adventures 2019

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Revealed that Darth Sidious aka Palpatine created Anakin Skywalker aka Darth Vader, via Midocholorian manipulation

Ahsoka Tano appears as an adult, briefly, in a vision

1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018

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Variant cover art by Gabriele Dell'Otto

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Origin of Anakin Skywalker as he is being trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi

๐Ÿ“– Reading Order: next read Obi-Wan and Anakin #1

Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2019

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Variant cover art by Giuseppe Camuncoli

Action Figure ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2019

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Force ghost Anakin Skywalker action figure variant

1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2019

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Variant cover art by Giuseppe Camuncoli

Star Wars #1

Non-Key

1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020

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Variant cover art by Mahmud Asrar

1:100 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020

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Variant cover art by Mike Del Mundo

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Cover art by InHyuk Lee

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