If dreams are the thoughts of our subconscious as many believe, then those of Darth Vader himself during his brief periods of rest show his longing for his former life. Once upon a time, he was a young Jedi knight in love. Now lost, Darth Vader is exceedingly calculated and powerful, the picture-perfect Sith Lord in some ways.

Featuring priestesses and betrayals, combat through space and gunfights through an ambush, this has the makings of an excellent storyline. Available for pre-order here and releasing at the end of November, The Lost Command is a hardcover release that details the complete mission of Darth Vader’s search for Garoche Tarkin, the son of Moff Tarkin, in the Ghost Nebula System.

This story takes place some 20 years BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin) and the destruction of the first Death Star on the galactic calendar. Fans may remember Grand Moff Tarkin as the man responsible for the Death Star’s attack and destruction of Alderaan in Episode IV: A New Hope.

Scripted by Haden Blackman, penciled by Rick Leonardi, ink and colors done by Dan Green and Wes Dzioba respectively, lettering from Michael Heisler, and cover art by Michael Kutsche, this is a tale of three men haunted by their past deeds and their continued fight for the survival of their futures.

Traditionally, Garoche Tarkin is not a character that appears in the main storyline, but is featured in this comic as a man torn between his sense of duty and his moral compass. Garoche’s development throughout the story showcases the possibility of what his father, Moff Wilhuff Tarkin, might have been like in a different life without the Empire’s controlling hand.

However, Moff Wilhuff Tarkin is not without a heart and thus is still a father that is concerned about the disappearance of his son. The loss of his son would make Moff Tarkin furious, a man second only to Darth Sidious in his ruthlessness and military savvy. His anger would be great and his vengeance swift should Lord Vader fail to find his son.

The beginning and ending depictions of Lord Vader almost mirror each other in his subservience to his master, Darth Sidious. In addition to that portrayal, Vader’s reality is one of literal and figurative disrepair. For every part of his arms and legs that are damaged, there are replacements being fitted at each turn of the story, the beginning and ending sections showcasing his return to full-figured misery.

In contrast to his reality, Vader is plagued by dreams where he is healthy and whole, not half a man consumed by his anger. They depict his would-be life had Padme and his unborn son both survived. Vader’s dreams are a bitter joy to dream of and wake from, as they show Lord Vader not as a Sith Lord, but as a happy and loving man.

Against all preconceived notions of power and ruthlessness, guilt is what culminates in the ultimate ending of the story, with Vader returning damaged and Moff Wilhuff Tarkin coldly plotting the death of his enemies due to the loss of his son. This gives yet another avenue of insight into the mind and story of Moff Tarkin and his relentless pursuit of his enemies throughout the rest of his lifetime in the Star Wars Universe.

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About the author

Calvin Li
Calvin is currently a Politics and Entertainment writer, as well as the Assistant Gaming Editor for Toonari Post. He holds a Master's Degree in History and a Bachelor's degree in Marketing. A Native New Yorker, he enjoys speed reading and eating, as well as exploring, snowboarding and bowling.