Earlier this year, Marvel Comics launched a new era of Star Wars comics to huge success. Jason Aaron and a roster of artists have been kicking goals with Star Wars, focusing on Luke Skywalker and the Rebel Alliance as they fight off the Empire. Darth Vader, written by Kieron Gillen and art by Salvador Larroca, has also been a fascinating exploration of Darth Vader’s motivations while introducing an interesting supporting cast. Set straight after the destruction of the Death Star, these two comics have been running parallel with each other and will meet for the first time in the six-part crossover called “Vader Down”.
Darth Vader is stuck behind enemy lines with him against the whole Rebel Alliance. How will Vader get out of this predicament? You’ll have to read Vader Down to find out, but I’m sure he’ll do it in the most badass way possible.
Crossovers can be a bit confusing. Sometimes it’s hard to tell which comic you should read next in the story and it’s easy to miss a chapter if you’re not paying close enough attention. Luckily, the Star Wars: Vader Down Reading Order Checklist is here to make reading this Star Wars crossover simple.
How to read Star Wars: Vader Down
Are you new to comic crossovers? Don’t worry, they’re very simple. Stories like Vader Down bring two comic series together, where the events intertwine with one another to tell one big story. In this instance, you’ll need to read the issue of one series, then an issue of another, and so forth until the crossover is complete. Scroll down below to find out the recommended reading order.
Background reading
Don’t worry too much if you’re not up to date. Marvel has put enough exposition in the comic to get readers up to speed. However, check out the following if you want to do some background reading before starting Vader Down.
Star Wars (2015 series) #1-12
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by John Cassaday, Simone Bianchi, and Stuart Immonen.
This series focuses on the Luke, Leia, and the rest of the Rebel Alliance as they take on The Empire.
Darth Vader (2015 series) #1-12
Written by Keiron Gillen. Art by Salvador Larroca.
Picking up directly after A New Hope, this series focuses on Darth Vader. It also introduced Doctor Aphra, who plays a role in Vader Down and stars in many Star Wars comics later down the line.
Star Wars: Vader Down reading order
Below is the recommended reading order for Star Wars: Vader Down. You will need to read all six parts to get the complete story.
Star Wars: Vader Down #1 (Part 1)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Mike Deodato.
Darth Vader (2015 series) #13 (Part 2)
Written by Keiron Gillen. Art by Salvador Larroca.
Star Wars (2015 series) #13 (Part 3)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Mike Deodato.
Darth Vader (2015 series) #14 (Part 4)
Written by Keiron Gillen. Art by Salvador Larroca.
Star Wars (2015 series) #14 (Part 5)
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Mike Deodato.
Darth Vader (2015 series) #15 (Part 6)
Written by Keiron Gillen. Art by Salvador Larroca.
After Vader Down
Want to know what happens after Vader Down? Follow the different branches of Star Wars comics with these two recommendations.
Star Wars (2015 series) #15
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Mike Mayhew.
Star Wars (2015 series) #15 is an Obi-Wan Kenobi flashback story.
Star Wars (2015 series) #16
Written by Jason Aaron. Art by Leinil Francis Yu.
Star Wars (2015 series) #16 picks up directly Vader Down and is what you should read if you want to know what happens to Doctor Aphra.
Darth Vader (2015 series) #16
Written by Keiron Gillen. Art by Salvador Larroca.
Find out what’s next for Darth Vader.
Collected editions
Vader Down has been collected in a number of different collected editions. Each one collects the entire crossover so you can take your pick as to which one you read.
Vader Down
Collects: Star Wars: Vader Down #1, Darth Vader (2015 series) #13-15, and Star Wars #13-14
Darth Vader Volume 2 Hardcover
Collects: Darth Vader (2015 series) #13-25, Darth Vader Annual #1, Star Wars: Vader Down #1, and Star Wars (2015 series) #13-14
Star Wars: Darth Vader by Kieron Gillen & Salvador Larroca Omnibus
Collects: Darth Vader (2015 series) #1-25, Darth Vader Annual #1, Star Wars: Vader Down #1, and Star Wars (2015 series) #13-14
Star Wars by Jason Aaron Omnibus
Collects: Star Wars (2015 series) #1-37, Star Wars: Vader Down #1, Darth Vader (2015 series) #13-15, Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2016 series) #7-8, Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel #1, and Star Wars Annual #1-3
Star Wars Modern Era Epic Collection: Star Wars Volume 1
Collects: Star Wars (2015 series) #1-14, Star Wars (2015 series) #1: Director’s Cut, Star Wars: Vader Down #1, and Darth Vader (2015 series) #13-15
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Hi looking to buy back issues from 2016 STAR WARS VADER DOWN issues 2,3,4 and 5 please send email with info cost ext thanks
This is why I usually stick with Image comics. Why does Marvel have to do all of these crossovers? To sell more comics that’s why! I picked up the first few volumes of Darth Vader and about 6 of the issues after reading the Darth Vader annual. I was really enjoying the story and when I got to the end of the second volume I thought that I could continue with the story. Guess what? I couldn’t because silly me I didn’t get the Vader Down issues. This article is nice by the way. Thank you for putting this list together for those of us who started this series after the fact.
I’m glad you’re digging the list 🙂
so if i read the darth vader saga i have to read the star wars one too to get what’s going on?
As long as you read the Star Wars issues that are part of this storyline you don’t have to read any other previous issues.
Thank you, this is exactly what I have been looking for! Just found your site, but I can see it’ll be a one of my favorite destinations in the future.
That’s awesome to hear! Glad I could help ?
Nice job