Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows #3 continues the story of Hock, the clone trooper who has established his own identity, as he rises in the ranks to impress Darth Vader. This issue opens up with Hock telling the story of the shrouded offensive, which very few know the truth about and even less are willing to talk about it because it represented the Empire’s biggest battlefield disaster. But Hock recounts this battle because it’s important to his story and it took place on the planet Ostor, which was inhabited by a separatist civilization that hoped it was out of the reach of the Empire. This civilization was underestimated however, even by Darth Vader as he didn’t descend on the planet himself, he didn’t do any reconnaissance and the general he put in charge was incompetent. Maybe it was the ragtag appearance of the initial opposing force that made General Rohn feel overconfident or it was the banner they held up mocking him that made him become clouded by anger because it was an affront to his ego. But despite the advance by the Empire, the opposing force was determined to keep the banner up even during its retreat in what would make the general more adamant about rushing headlong behind them. This was just the start of what would be the Empire’s biggest battlefield disaster and would have been even worse without Hock realizing this could all be a trap. But how could he turn the tide when he was just a commander and the general had no intention of turning back?

I’ve been struggling with this series as it’s been centered around Hock and his journey but neither the character nor his story has been particularly compelling. This issue was more enjoyable since it’s not all about him brooding over his hatred for the Jedi while talking about self-determination and posing existential questions when the only characteristics defining him were his hatred for the Jedi and his admiration of Darth Vader in a way that ringed hollow considering all the destruction caused by the empire and Darth Vader. The format is still narrative but we get to see events actually unfold this issue with other characters talking as opposed to just a quick summary from Hock. The incompetence shown by Vader and the general was egregious but it did create a situation where Hock could finally perform. And what he does shows why he would not only be relatively valuable to Darth Vader but why he admires Vader or at the very least Vader has influenced his behavior. That’s not to say his actions were right or wrong but that he’s finally performed some type of character-defining action in the series not due to his hate of the Jedi. And so the trust he earns is at least well-deserved in the context of the issue and the battle taking place. The series as a whole still feels somewhat directionless and that’s mostly due to the lack of character-defining actions (until this issue) and hopefully that will change in light of events in this issue leading into next issue. But it seems like this series could finally get on track.

SUMMARY

Star Wars: Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows #3 is the best issue in the series so far but considering I’ve been struggling with this series it’s all relative. The setup that leads to Hock taking center stage and becoming the “hero” was due to egregious mistakes that can be overlooked but only due to the desire to see Hock finally perform some character-defining action. And in Hock doing so breathes the slightest bit of life into this series creating potential for the next issue and an opportunity for the series to get on track. At least that’s what I’m hoping.

Release Date: 2/18/14

Writer: Tim Siedell

Artist: Gabriel Guzman