Since 2014, all the new publications regarding “Star Wars” become part of the epic franchise’s canon. These new stories must be somehow connected to the franchise's movies and animated series with the help of the Lucasfilm Story Group.
Hence, as a comic series titled “Darth Vader” is revealed by Marvel in 2015, its second edition, “Darth Vader #2,” might have a connection with “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.” The newly published comics may have an explanation why Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) went into a self-imposed exile.
The ‘Barash vow’
In “Darth Vader #2,” Emperor Palpatine has asked the Sith Lord to build a Sith lightsaber powered by Kyber crystal.
However, the iconic villain can only do this by finding and fighting a Jedi to take the crystal and turn it into an evil sword. The problem is, almost all the Jedi got killed when the senator executed Order 66 in “Revenge of the Sith.”
Hence, the former Jedi Knight searches the galaxy to find a hiding Jedi after taking the “Barash vow.” The oath is said to be an atonement that a Force-sensitive individual takes, promising nothing about the Force is “allowed to be their focus.” This, too, includes all the activities connected to the Jedi Order. The Jedi who takes the vow will have no right to seek the Force, no matter what situation they are in.
The comic’s connection to Luke
What’s even more interesting about the “Barash vow” is its alleged connection to Luke Skywalker and to “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”
According to Screen Rant, “Darth Vader #2” might have a teaser for the upcoming eighth episode of the movie franchise.
In fact, the film’s director and writer Rian Johnson revealed that he has a lot of “creative control” over the film, but the Lucasfilm Story Group still has a lot of inputs as well.
But, as “The Last Jedi” has been written and filmed before the comic is released, there is a big possibility that the film’s storyline has been used by its writer Charles Soule as his guide.
This might include Luke Skywalker’s self-imposed isolation after Ben Solo aka Kylo Ren (Adam Driver) turned to the Dark Side.
The possible reasons of the Jedi Knight’s exile are the slaughter of his Padawans or Jedi apprentices. This might led him to take the Barash vow and put his back on the Light Side. This, too, might be his reason why he let the First Order stands again without even participating in fighting it.
“Darth Vader #2” is now available in all good comic stores and apps. “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” is set to hit the big screens on Dec. 18.
