Star Wars - Darth Vader (Vol.3) - The Burning Seas

Vader Crushes Rebellion Amid the Rising Tide

Collecting Darth Vader (2017) #13-18 and Darth Vader Annual #2, this volume delves into Darth Vader’s mission to crush the rebellion on Mon Cala, a planet whose resistance threatens the Empire’s grip on the galaxy. With Wilhuff Tarkin and the Inquisitors at his side, Vader embarks on a ruthless campaign to eliminate the remnants of Jedi influence and extinguish the sparks of hope.

Key Plot Points
Rebellion on Mon Cala: Vader leads a mission to bring Mon Cala under Imperial control, facing resistance fueled by surviving Jedi who inspire defiance among the people.
The Inquisitors in Action: Vader’s Inquisitors join the hunt for the Jedi fomenting rebellion, but even they struggle against the determination of Mon Cala’s defenders.
Tarkin’s Role: Governor Wilhuff Tarkin, known for his cunning, aids Vader in the operation, showcasing his tactical brilliance and moral compromises.
The Cost of Compliance: Vader’s relentless assault on Mon Cala leaves the planet’s oceans and its people devastated, a chilling reminder of the cost of resistance.
Tarkin’s Debt: A tense subplot unfolds as Tarkin seeks to repay a personal debt to Vader, testing his resolve and ingenuity in the face of the Sith Lord’s wrath.

Themes and Insights
Power and Fear: Vader’s mission reflects the Empire’s strategy of maintaining control through overwhelming force and terror.
Rebellion’s Cost: The Mon Calamari’s defiance illustrates the sacrifices made in the fight for freedom, even against impossible odds.
Tactical Mind Games: The dynamic between Vader and Tarkin reveals the uneasy balance between military precision and Sith ambition.
Why This Volume is Essential
Insight into Mon Cala: The story expands the history of Mon Cala and its people, tying into their eventual alliance with the Rebellion in Return of the Jedi.

Vader’s Ruthlessness: This volume highlights Vader’s brutal efficiency and the devastating consequences of crossing him.
Tarkin vs. Vader: The tension between Tarkin’s intellect and Vader’s power adds depth to their relationship and reveals new layers of the Empire’s inner workings.