Darth Vader: Black, White & Red #1

Darth Vader is added to the list of comic characters getting his own anthology series in black and white (often with a bit of red thrown in). Darth Vader: Black, White & Red #1 offers three separate tales, one of which apparently will continue through four issues (diverging from the usual format of this kind of comic series). It’s not the strongest group of stories, but there is something here for big Vader fans.

“Hard Shutdown Part 1” involves Vader searching for a missing scientist Dr. Sendvall leading the Sith Lord into a trap, although not one laid by the rebellion. Nice action, but not sure I need to see this tale go on for three more issues. “Inescapable” is an odd fever dream of an unnamed character haunted by visions of the Dark Lord of the Sith. “Dissolution of Hope” spends more time on Rebels attempting to sabotage a facility than on Vader who shows up at the end to stop their efforts and provide a working weapon to his Emperor. All are fine, with solid art, but nothing here is a must-read.

[Marvel, $4.99]