Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin is back this week and I thought much more interesting than it has been (although, as I pointed out last time, it has started to interest me more now that the Headless Snake Cultists have become a bigger thing). There are folds of how this fits into the larger picture beginning to unfurl and we’re getting some answers to things I never thought to ask about the Star Wars stories. Really good stuff this month!
I harped on the second issue of A Tale of the Golem‘s cover for portraying something that has nothing to do with the plot of that issue, and it’s only fair that I point out the same here: there are no big toothy monsters in this issue. None. This is a cover for the last issue, if you ask me. The cover from the last issue was about the one before that, too. It’s a beautiful cover, but it’s just not right for this issue. Minor quibble, but if you’re looking for monsters, read the last issue, not this one.
Now, about the actual issue: this comic really caught my attention because we see things with clear tie ins to the main film series like a glimpse at Vader’s eventual fight with Obi Wan and maybe some hint as to the beginnings of the death star? We also learn more about the Cult of the Headless Snake, its origins and the ancient prophesy at its core. I’ve really been looking forward to learning more about this cult and I’m glad they got around to it so quickly. Now that we know about them though, I wonder what role they will play, if any, since they are no longer a mystery. I hope they aren’t just done.
But I suspect they will, because otherwise this issue would be completely unrelated to the Assassing part of the title. Yeah, forgot about that with all the talk of cultists and death stars and monsters, didn’t you? Yeah, well this series is still apparently about Darth Vader and an assassin, though the assassin has been a background character for the past three issues. The next issue’s cover shows them fighting, but we’ve already discussed how trustworthy the covers in this series can be.
So the ultimate question: do I recommend this issue? Yes, actually, because if you’re following the series, it has some important plot development (the cultist details) that you’re going to want to know. And even if you aren’t following the series, but are interested in the lore behind Star Wars it’s worth picking up because the plot for this issue stands alone fairly well and has some interesting connections to the original movie trilogy. Besides, what’s $3.50? Like only, like, 35 minutes of minimum wage work.
Matthew Bryant, aka Baker Street Holmes, is an editor for the Red Shirt Crew and enjoys long walks on the beach, steam summer sales and AIR CONDITIONING, which the British people have apparently never heard of. If you wish to provide him with AC or even just a large bag of ice, you can reach him on Twitter at @BStreetHolmes or e-mail him at HMCrazySS@gmail.com.
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