Darth Vader #15: The Test of Ochi

Continuing the “War of the Bounty Hunters” series, Vader and Ochi of Bestoon must infiltrate Crimson Dawn. This issue is a bit confusing though. It seems to take place outside of the events of the rest of the various “War of the Bounty Hunter” series. In Star Wars, and Doctor Aphra, Vader is already at The Crimson dawn auction of Han Solo, caught in a fight with Qi’ra. This chapter takes place well before that, causing a weird offsetting of the timeline of the larger series. That being said, it still follows the theme of Crimson Dawn becoming more powerful and recruiting agents to their side. And like with the previous two issues, this one also does not follow the themes of the Vader series before this event took place. It is a weird offering. It is not all that connected to the previous story arcs, on top of being out of the greater order of events. Yet somehow, it still makes sense in the greater multi-series event.

One of the most interesting about this series has been the inclusion of Ochi of Bestoon. Looking very different in his armor, many fans might not recognize the villain as the one who was sent to retrieve Rey and deliver her to Palpatine. Its neat that readers get a backstory to him, as he was long dead at the time of Rise of Skywalker. In this series, taking place years before that film, Ochi is front and center alongside Vader. This issue gives him a real chance to shine. Up to this point, Ochi has been sort of dragged along an Vader’s adventures after he was defeated by the Sith Lord. This chapter puts him right in the mess as the main character. He is all action and talk and may remind Marvel fans of Deadpool in this issue, which only adds to his slowly gaining appeal. What really gives the character some weight in this issue is the fact that his character is being tested by Vader. he expects Ochi to betray him, so Vader gives him every opportunity. At one point members of Crimson Dawn try to get Ochi to do just that and join them. Instead he goes all out, fighting to prove his loyalties to the Sith.

It’s tough to tell where this series is going. It ends mid-fight with Vader having just intercepted the invitation to Crimson Dawn’s auction. It seem less likely that the series will catch up to the other ones as part of the larger story anytime soon. This is not to say that any of the content in the actual issue is not important or exciting, but its does stray of the path in many ways. It’s out of theme with the Vader series. It is off the timeline of “War of the Bounty Hunters.” It also places Ochi in the leading role instead of Vader for this issue. The entire point of the issue was to temp Ochi into betrayal, and he seems not interested in anything but fighting with Vader instead of against him. The duo come out of this issue as a stronger force, but Ochi’s lack or presence in the other series that take place during the auction implies that he wont be with Vader much longer, possibly on another mission. He does far outlive Vader, so readers can be sure that he wont be coming to a brutal end at Vader’s hand either. Even knowing all this, it is tough to predict where this particular story will go and how it fits into the larger tale.