Summary
The destruction of Alderaan isDarth Vader’s first great war crime, but theStar Warsfranchise seems ready to forgive him for it. Chronologically speaking, Anakin has plunged his lightsaber into the backs of the innocent too many times to count. On-screen, however, fans first witnessed Vader’s insidious nature inStar Wars: A New Hopeas he held Princess Leia in place and forced her to watch her people’s genocide. Over time, both Legends and the current canon have attempted to absolve the Sith Lord of his involvement, if only slightly.
Star Wars (2020)#48 by Charles Soule, Jethro Morales, and Rachelle Rosenberg may have given another hint that evenAlderaan’s most burdened survivor doesn’t blame Vaderas much as they do someone else.
Taking place sometime after Han Solo’s capture by Boba Fett and Darth Vader, the issue seesPrincess Leia still plagued by nightmaresof her homeworld’s demise. She tells Luke that she dreams of being on the planet when it falls. She dreams of Grand Moff Tarkin taunting her. She dreams that she’s the one who activates the planet-killer. Yet, while Darth Vader is present,she does not focus her blame on him.
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Tarkin seizes control of the juvenile Death Star and has the fallen planet Scarif razed.
In 2016’sRogue One,the film’s primary antagonist, Director Orson Krennic, is the direct overseer of all Imperial weapons development, including the conception and construction of the Death Star. Krennic, however, has a hostile relationship with Tarkin. When the Rebels threaten to release Imperial military secrets, Tarkin seizes control of the juvenile Death Star and has the fallen planet Scarif razed with Director Krennic still on the surface.It’s Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin whom Princess Leia fears more than anybody.It’s Tarkin whom she blamesmost for the death of Alderaan.
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Darth Vader Regrets His Role in Alderaan’s Destruction
The Dark Lord of the Sith Was Openly Opposed to the Death Star’s Creation
As early asStar Wars: A New Hope, Darth Vader shows his disapproval of the Death Star’s construction. Immediately before he displays the powerfulForce choke abilityfor the first time,Vader calls the Death Star a “technological terror”and belittles the project in comparison to the power of the Force. InStar Wars: Darth Vader (2020)#24 by Greg Park and Marco Castiello, Vader reflects on Alderaan’s destruction, admitting that he still carries the weight of the planet’s obliteration. Like Obi-Wan once did, Vader also experienced the billions of cries echoing throughout the Force before they were quelled into sudden silence.
Over the years,Star Warshas tried to make Darth Vader more sympathetic regarding his relationship with Alderaan’s destruction. After discovering that it was his own son who led the assault against the first Death Star, Vader embraced his dissent against the Empire and schemed its potential downfall. WhileGrand Moff Tarkin is certainly to blame for the Death Star’s creation, the Dark Lord can’t completely be absolved of his casual participation. That said,Darth Vaderhas been successfully recreated as a heartbreaking, sympathetic villain, with stories likeStar Wars#48giving him inches of redemption.
Star Wars#48is available now from Marvel Comics.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
