Darth Vader (2017) #3

• Core Identity: In a pivotal chapter of his dark ascension, a newly-suited and defeated Darth Vader confronts the formidable Jedi Master Kirak Infil'a in a brutal quest to claim a kyber crystal and forge his iconic crimson lightsaber.
• Key Takeaways:
• Role in the Universe: This issue serves as a critical bridge between Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and the rest of the saga, detailing one of Vader's first true missions for Emperor Palpatine and illustrating the raw, untamed nature of his early power.
• Primary Impact: The story arc initiated in this issue canonically establishes the Sith ritual of “bleeding” a kyber_crystal—corrupting a Jedi's crystal through the dark side of the Force—as the definitive method for creating a red lightsaber, a concept that has since become foundational to modern Star Wars canon.
• Canon Significance: As part of the Marvel Comics Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith series, this story is a cornerstone of the official Disney-era Star Wars continuity, providing essential lore that replaces the previous “Legends” explanation of synthetic lightsaber crystals for the Sith.

Darth Vader #3 (2017) is the third issue of the second ongoing Marvel Comics series centered on the titular Sith Lord. Published by marvel_comics, this series, subtitled Dark Lord of the Sith, is renowned for its exploration of Vader's earliest days following his transformation on mustafar.

The creative team, led by writer Charles Soule, was tasked with the monumental challenge of filling in one of the most significant gaps in Vader's timeline. Soule's deep understanding of Force mythology, paired with Giuseppe Camuncoli's dynamic and expressive artwork, created a series that was immediately hailed by fans and critics for its dark tone, psychological depth, and meaningful contributions to the new Star Wars canon.

The events of Darth Vader #3 occur in the year 19 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin), mere days or weeks after the conclusion of Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. The issue takes place immediately following the destruction of Anakin Skywalker's original blue lightsaber by Palpatine in the previous issue, which itself followed Vader's painful rebirth in his iconic cybernetic suit. This specific placement is crucial for several reasons:

• Vader's Vulnerability: He is not the composed, unstoppable juggernaut of the Original Trilogy. He is still reeling from his dismemberment, the death of Padmé, the betrayal of obi-wan_kenobi, and the immense physical and psychological pain of his new existence. His connection to the Force is raw, chaotic, and fueled entirely by rage.
• An Untested Apprentice: Palpatine is testing his new apprentice. He has broken Anakin Skywalker and is now forging Darth Vader. This mission is the first true trial in that forging process, designed to strip away any lingering Jedi sentiment and fully immerse Vader in the ways of the Sith.
• A Galaxy in Transition: The galaxy is still adapting to the nascent Galactic Empire. The jedi_order has been shattered by order_66, but pockets of resistance and surviving Jedi remain scattered, creating a dangerous and unpredictable environment for the Empire's new enforcer.

Before Disney's acquisition of Lucasfilm and the subsequent canon reset in 2014, the explanation for red Sith lightsabers was primarily found in the “Legends” continuity (formerly the Expanded Universe). In Legends, it was established that Sith could not bond with natural kyber crystals as Jedi could, so they primarily used synthetic crystals, often created in special furnaces. The process of creating these synthetic crystals imbued them with a red color and occasionally gave the resulting blades unique properties. This issue, and the storyline it's part of, completely overwrites that lore for the new canon. Charles Soule introduced the concept of “bleeding” a kyber crystal.

• The New Canon Process: According to this comic, a Sith Lord must find a lightsaber from a Jedi they have defeated, take its kyber crystal, and pour all of their pain, anger, and hate into it through the dark side of the Force. This act of violation overwhelms the living crystal, causing it to “bleed” and turn crimson.
• Symbolic Importance: This change is profoundly significant thematically. A Sith lightsaber is no longer just a different type of weapon; it is a desecrated Jedi weapon. It represents the core Sith philosophy of dominating and corrupting the natural order of the Force, rather than living in harmony with it. The red blade is a constant, screaming symbol of a crystal's perpetual agony, twisted to serve the dark side.

This singular concept, introduced here, has become a fundamental tenet of the modern Star Wars canon, referenced in novels, guidebooks, and video games like Jedi: Fallen Order. Darth Vader #3 is the on-page debut of this world-building revelation in action.

Darth Vader #3, titled “The Chosen One, Part III,” is a study in brutality, vulnerability, and the forging of a weapon. The narrative is a direct, linear hunt, culminating in a devastating confrontation that redefines Vader's understanding of his own limitations.

The issue opens with Darth Vader's ship descending towards the lush, green river moon of Al'doleem. His mission, given by Emperor Palpatine, is simple and cruel: find a surviving Jedi, kill them, and take their kyber crystal to create his own Sith lightsaber. Palpatine has informed him that a Jedi Master, Kirak Infil'a, is located here. Vader lands in a small city perched precariously on a cliffside. The city's inhabitants are immediately hostile, recognizing the Imperial shuttle. Their defense is not military but based on automated combat droids and turrets. Vader, without a lightsaber, is forced to rely solely on his immense power in the Force. He dispatches the initial wave of droids with brutal efficiency, using the Force to crush them, tear them apart, and hurl them at their allies. This opening sequence establishes his raw power but also his current handicap without his signature weapon.

Vader learns from a terrified local that the Jedi he seeks lives atop the highest mountain peak, far above the city. The only way up is a perilous climb or via a sophisticated tram system. As Vader approaches the tram, he is confronted by the city's ancient guardian: a massive, multi-limbed combat droid. The fight is a showcase of Vader's tactical thinking and overwhelming Force abilities. He cannot physically overpower the massive machine. Instead, he uses the Force to manipulate the environment, tearing chunks of rock from the cliffs to bombard the droid and using its own momentum against it. Ultimately, he rips the tram car from its cable and sends it crashing down upon the guardian, destroying it completely. The sequence underscores that while Vader is a formidable Force user, he is not yet invincible and must use his intellect to overcome superior physical threats.

Having survived the ascent, Vader finally reaches a serene Jedi temple at the mountain's peak. Inside, meditating, is Master Kirak Infil'a. Kirak is a physically imposing figure, exuding an aura of immense power and control. He is unsurprised by Vader's arrival, having sensed his dark presence. Their initial dialogue is one of the issue's most critical moments. Vader, arrogant in his Sith might, demands the Jedi's weapon. Kirak explains that he is under the Barash Vow. This is the first time this concept is introduced into Star Wars canon. Kirak explains the vow: to completely disconnect from the Force in all ways except for passive, personal meditation. He took this vow as a penance for a past failure, abstaining from any involvement in the galaxy, including the Clone Wars and the Jedi Order's politics. This is why he survived Order 66—he was completely off the grid and hidden from the Force itself. However, Kirak states that the arrival of a dark sider like Vader constitutes an attack that is significant enough to allow him to release his vow. He calmly warns Vader to leave, as he has no wish to fight. Vader, of course, refuses.

Kirak Infil'a re-engages with the Force, and the effect is explosive. Having spent years in pure meditation, his connection is incredibly powerful and focused. He ignites his green lightsaber and the duel begins. The fight is brutally one-sided. Vader, still clumsy and unaccustomed to his prosthetic limbs and heavy armor, is completely outmatched. Kirak is a master duelist whose style is aggressive and relentless.

• Vader's Disadvantage: He has no lightsaber to defend himself. He is forced to block Kirak's strikes with his armor, the Force, and pieces of the environment. His movements are slow and labored compared to Kirak's fluid acrobatics.
• Kirak's Mastery: Kirak Infil'a is presented as a Jedi at the peak of his power. He uses the Force to augment his speed and strength, effortlessly battering Vader across the temple. He criticizes Vader's fighting style, noting that he is “all fury” but “unskilled,” and that his cybernetics are a prison, not a strength. He correctly deduces that Vader is a fallen Jedi, which only fuels his determination to end him.

The artwork by Camuncoli is kinetic and devastating. Panels show Vader being thrown through walls, his armor sparking and denting under Kirak's assault. For the first time since his duel with Obi-Wan, Vader is thoroughly and completely defeated in combat.

The duel culminates atop the temple, overlooking a massive drop. Kirak, having utterly dominated the Sith Lord, delivers a final, powerful Force Push. Darth Vader is sent hurtling over the edge of the cliff, his body tumbling down the massive mountain he just climbed. The final panels of the issue show Vader's broken form lying amidst the wreckage of the city at the mountain's base. Kirak Infil'a stands victorious at the peak, a lone Jedi Master who has single-handedly defeated the Emperor's new enforcer. The issue ends on a cliffhanger, with Vader seemingly dead or incapacitated, his mission a catastrophic failure.

This is not the Vader audiences know best. He is a crucible of conflicting elements.

• Physical State: He is a prisoner in his own body. The suit is cumbersome, the breathing apparatus is a constant reminder of his failure, and his cybernetic limbs lack the finesse of his original ones. He is immensely powerful but unrefined.
• Psychological State: His mind is a storm of pure, undiluted rage. The loss of Padmé, his betrayal by the Jedi, and his hatred for Obi-Wan and himself are the sole fuels for his connection to the dark side. This makes his power immense but also chaotic and difficult to control, a fact Kirak easily exploits.
• Motivation: His goal is twofold. He must obey his master's command to build a new lightsaber, and on a deeper level, he needs to prove to himself and to Palpatine that he is still powerful—that he is not the broken thing left to die on Mustafar. His defeat at Kirak's hands is therefore a devastating psychological blow.

Kirak Infil'a was created specifically for this series and serves as a perfect narrative foil for this early-stage Vader.

• Design and Philosophy: His design is that of a classic, powerful Jedi Master. His philosophy, centered on the Barash Vow, adds a new layer to Jedi lore, providing a canonical reason for a powerful Master to have been absent during the Clone Wars. He represents a Jedi ideal of duty and penance.
• Role as a “Gatekeeper”: Kirak is essentially the “final boss” of Vader's “tutorial level.” To become the Sith Lord he is destined to be, Vader must be able to defeat a Jedi of this caliber. Kirak's initial victory is essential because it forces Vader to learn, adapt, and shed the last vestiges of his old fighting style. He cannot fight like Anakin Skywalker anymore; he must learn to fight like Darth Vader, using his suit's durability and his raw power as weapons.
• Power Level: Kirak is established as an incredibly powerful Jedi, likely on par with some members of the Jedi Council. His sole focus on combat made him one of the most dangerous duelists in the Order, and his victory over Vader proves this.

Though he only appears briefly at the beginning of the arc, Palpatine's presence looms over the entire issue. His actions are those of a master manipulator.

• The Test: Sending a lightsaber-less Vader against a renowned Jedi duelist is a calculated, cruel test. Palpatine doesn't care if Vader lives or dies; he only cares if a worthy Sith apprentice emerges from the trial. If Vader fails, he was weak and disposable. If he succeeds, he will be stronger for it.
• Method of Forging: Palpatine understands that Vader's power comes from pain and loss. This mission is designed to inflict more of both. The humiliation of defeat is a tool Palpatine uses to stoke Vader's anger, pushing him deeper into the dark side and making him a more effective weapon for the Empire.

This issue is not just about a fight; it's about a transformation. Vader's journey up the mountain is a metaphor for his dark-side ascension. He must overcome physical obstacles (the droids, the climb) and a powerful ideological opponent (Kirak). His defeat is a necessary part of this process. True monsters are not born; they are made through fire and suffering. This issue is a key part of the fire that forges Darth Vader, burning away the last remnants of Anakin Skywalker.

The duel between Vader and Kirak is a clash of philosophies on the Force.

• Kirak's Power: Comes from a deep, meditative, and harmonious connection to the light side of the Force. It is controlled, focused, and precise.
• Vader's Power: Comes from a violent, parasitic draining of the dark side, fueled by negative emotions. It is chaotic, explosive, and overwhelming.

In this initial confrontation, control and precision triumph over raw, unfocused rage. It teaches Vader a valuable lesson: anger alone is not enough. He must learn to channel and control it to become truly powerful.

The introduction of the Barash Vow is a significant piece of world-building. It provides a clever and lore-consistent explanation for how a Jedi Master of Kirak's power could have survived Order 66 and remained hidden. It deepens the Jedi tradition, showing that there are paths of devotion beyond that of a soldier or diplomat, and it has been referenced in other Star Wars media since its creation here.

Seeing Darth Vader, the ultimate cinematic villain, so utterly and soundly beaten is a jarring and powerful moment. It's a narrative masterstroke because it re-establishes the stakes. Vader is not yet at his peak. He is fallible, he can be hurt, and he can be defeated. This vulnerability makes his eventual rise to near-invincibility far more compelling and earned. His fall from the mountain is both literal and metaphorical—a fall from the arrogance with which he began his mission, forcing a painful rebirth in the rubble below.

The impact of Darth Vader #3, and its surrounding arc, extends far beyond its own pages. It laid foundational groundwork for much of the modern understanding of the Sith in the current canon.

This is, without question, the issue's single greatest contribution to the lore. The concept of bleeding a crystal has become the definitive explanation for red lightsabers.

• In Video Games: The video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and its sequel Star Wars Jedi: Survivor feature this concept heavily. The protagonist, Cal Kestis, even witnesses the process and discusses its implications.
• In Novels and Guidebooks: Numerous canon reference books, such as The Secrets of the Jedi, and novels have since reiterated and expanded upon the bleeding process, cementing its place in the franchise. It is now a core part of how the Force, the Jedi, and the Sith are understood.

While Kirak only appears in this story arc, he has become a fan-favorite character. He represents a powerful “what if” scenario—a Jedi purely dedicated to combat who was untainted by the politics of the Clone Wars. He serves as a crucial benchmark for Vader's power level in the immediate aftermath of Revenge of the Sith and is often used in fan discussions and power-scaling debates as the yardstick against which other post-Order 66 survivors are measured.

Charles Soule's Darth Vader run is almost universally considered one of the best comic series of the new Star Wars canon. This specific issue was praised for its brutal action, stunning artwork, and a narrative that gave real weight and consequence to Vader's early days. Critics and fans lauded the introduction of Kirak Infil'a and the brilliant, thematically rich explanation for red lightsabers. It demonstrated that Marvel Comics could do more than just adapt the films; they could add meaningful, lasting, and essential lore to the Star Wars galaxy.

• darth_vader
• emperor_palpatine
• lightsaber
• kyber_crystal
• star_wars_canon
• order_66
• darth_vader_(2017_series)

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