How Darth Vader Discovered Luke Was Alive In The Comics

One of the most important moments in Star Wars canon didn’t happen in the original trilogy, instead, it happened in the pages of Marvel’s Darth Vader comic series. In Darth Vader #4, readers learned how Darth Vader discovered that his son Luke Skywalker was still alive – and it’s one of the best (and most important) moments of the entire comic series.

Perhaps the most iconic moment in the entire Star Wars franchise is when Darth Vader reveals to Luke Skywalker, that he is, in fact, his father. However, for a period of time, Vader believed that his son died during childbirth. It’s established that Luke believes Vader is responsible for killing his father when in actuality, the Sith Lord is Anakin Skywalker. So, how and when did Darth Vader learn that Luke was alive?

In Darth Vader #6 (2016) by Kieron Gillen, Salvador Larroca, Edgar Delgado, and VC’s Joe Caramagna, Boba Fett completes his mission about finding out the Rebel behind the destruction of the Death Star. When Vader asks him if he learned any important information, Fett tells him “…not much. Just his name,” while revealing that it’s “Skywalker.”

After Boba Fett departs, Vader has flashbacks of Padme revealing she was pregnant. Anakin responds by calling the news wonderful, which is juxtaposed with Vader clenching his hand in anger. He remembers finding out about Padme’s death, as he asks Emperor Palpatine if she was all right. Palpatine responds by telling him she died thanks to his anger, and that he “killed her.” The news leads to one of the best moments in all of Star Wars comics, as Darth Vader’s hand is shown clenching once again, nearly destroying the ship’s window in front of him. He returns to Palpatine and tells him he will not fail, and later broods in front of the cracked window, saying “he will be mine. It will all be mine.”

The scene is very dramatic, as Vader’s pain of losing Padme and finding out his son is still alive is apparent with his controlled, but devastating anger. In canon, learning the truth about Skywalker would set everything in motion to the pair’s heartbreaking final matchup. Sure, it would have been awesome to see this moment on film, but the idea was conceived long after the original trilogy. In the comics, it not only fits in canon but totally works for Vader’s characterization. Discovering Luke Skywalker, his thought to be lost son, was not only out there, but working for the Rebellion was such a perfectly executed moment for Darth Vader – even if it didn’t happen in the movies.

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Liam McGuire
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Lead writer for Screen Rant’s comic team. [email protected]. Find me on Twitter @LiamRMcGuire for comic news and reporting.

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