In the Star Wars saga, few moments resonate with the raw emotional power of Darth Vader’s unexpected reveal to Luke: “No, I am your father.” The truth marks the beginning of an intense internal conflict for Vader, fueling a quest for understanding, vengeance, and a twisted form of paternal connection.

Greg Pak and Raffaele Ienco’s acclaimed 2020 Darth Vader comic series, set in the immediate aftermath of The Empire Strikes Back, delves into the profound and sometimes contradictory ways that the shocking truth about Luke’s existence reverberates within Vader himself.

This important period between the films explores the psychological fallout upon discovering his child did not die with Pé, revealing a mix of rage, regret, possessiveness, and the lingering echoes of Anakin Skywalker as Vader grapples with the reality of his son and what that means for his allegiance to the dark side and the Emperor.

Vader's Reaction To Having A Son Seems Like His Angriest Moment

Darth Vader (2020), Written By Greg Pak And Raffaele Ienco

In the immediate aftermath of his earth-shattering revelation on Cloud City, Pak’s Darth Vader reveals that Vader’s psyche is a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. The initial shock of Luke’s mere existence, followed by his horrified rejection, sends Vader on a furious quest for understanding and retribution. Vader cannot fathom his son’s refusal to him and sees Luke’s action as a betrayal that only further fuels the dark side's rage.

The early arcs in Darth Vader depict Vader relentlessly pursuing any connection to Luke’s past and brutally interrogating individuals who knew Pé or Obi-Wan. His journey even takes him to his own former home on Tatooine, which he sets on fire out of rage. Vader's every action is driven by a desperate need to comprehend the life denied to him and the son who now stands against him.

This burning need for answers propels Vader on a journey into his own past, most notably his return to Naboo to confront the circumstances surrounding Pé’s death. In order to understand how his son exists, he must figure out how exactly Pé died and who had a hand in hiding Luke from him. While on Naboo, particularly at Pé’s tomb, Vader peels back the layers of denial and Palpatine’s manipulation. It is on Naboo, surrounded by Pé’s former handmaidens who resemble her to an eerie extent, that Anakin Skywalker starts to fight back.

While Vader Rages, Anakin Begins The Search For His Lost Family

The Two Sides Of The Man Behind The Mask Struggle With Heavy Emotions

While Vader’s hatred for those he blames for keeping his son from him and lying about the events surrounding Pé's death remains fierce, Luke’s existence serves as a constant reminder of the love he once shared with Pé. This realization is not a moment of sentimental weakness, but rather a painful acknowledgment that his son is a living testament to a life he destroyed, fueling a complex mix of grief and anger.

It is Anakin's heart, still faintly beating beneath the armor, that recognizes his lost love in his son’s features and unwavering spirit.

As his investigation into his son’s past continues, Vader’s internal monologue and subtle actions betray a paternal instinct struggling against his Sith Lord persona. While his main goal remains turning Luke to the dark side, there are instances where he subtly protects his son from other threats, even those orchestrated by Palpatine himself. This possessive protectiveness hints at a desire for a deeper connection to Luke as his child, as opposed to twisting his son into a powerful dark apprentice in the way Palpatine did to him. These moments offer glimpses of the Anakin Skywalker buried beneath the armor, grappling with the unexpected reality of fatherhood.

Luke’s continued resistance and growing strength in the Force further complicate Vader's reaction. His initial rage at Luke’s defiance gradually morphs into a grudging respect, even a fascination with his son’s potential. Deep within the recesses of his being, the ghost of Anakin Skywalker stirs. It is Anakin, the gifted pilot and naturally attuned Force-sensitive individual, who recognizes a kindred spirit in Luke's inherent talents. This recognition sparks a flicker of pride, and a longing for the father he might have been.

However, it is Luke’s physical and spiritual resemblance to Pé that strikes a deeply buried chord within Vader. He thinks back to the look of heartbreak on Luke’s face and instead sees Pé on Mustafar, begging him to turn back. It is Anakin's heart, still faintly beating beneath the armor, that recognizes his lost love in his son’s features and unwavering spirit. This visual and emotional connection pierces through Vader's hardened exterior, momentarily shattering his carefully constructed defenses. The sight of Luke becomes a constant, painful reminder of the life he inadvertently destroyed by trying to save the woman he ultimately failed to protect.

Vader Wants Luke as A Student, Anakin Wants To Be A Father

The Emperor's Role In Vader's Relationship With Luke Is Peak Manipulation

Palpatine’s manipulations play a crucial role in shaping Vader’s actions towards Luke. The Emperor’s awareness of Luke’s existence and his attempts to exploit the paternal connection to test Vader’s loyalty creates further internal conflict. Vader finds himself navigating his master’s treacherous schemes while simultaneously grappling with his feelings for Luke and the desire to shield him from harm. This delicate balancing act forces Vader to confront the true nature of his servitude and the ever-looming threat that Palpatine poses to his son’s life, adding another layer to Vader’s already complex emotional state.

Anakin's unresolved grief and longing subtly color Vader’s interactions with Luke and while discussing Luke with other characters, illustrate that despite the dark facade, learning he is a father inherently changes him. Even Sabé, one of Pé’s former handmaidens, gets a glimpse inside Vader’s mind through the Force, seeing that Luke is at the forefront of his thoughts. Vader does not try to deny or twist what Sabé saw, leading her to the comforting realization that Pé’s dying words were right: there was still good inside him.

It is Anakin, the gifted pilot and naturally attuned Force-sensitive individual, who recognizes a kindred spirit in Luke's inherent talents.

Despite the cracks in Vader’s exterior, Darth Vader expertly avoids portraying Vader’s inner turmoil as a path to redemption. Instead, the series highlights the profound and often contradictory impact of the Luke revelation on Vader’s already fractured psyche. Vader’s reactions are rarely straightforward; he seeks to protect Luke and act as a semblance of a father, all filtered through the lens of the dark side. The nuanced portrayal of the struggle between Anakin and Vader enriches the character, making his eventual choices in Return of the Jedi feel more earned and tragic.

Ultimately, Darth Vader provides a compelling and detailed exploration of Vader’s reaction to the most significant revelation of his life. It delves into the immediate shockwaves and the long-term consequences of this knowledge, leading to the internal battles and evolving motivations that shape Vader's actions in the crucial period between the original trilogy films. Darth Vader demonstrates that even the most formidable villain can be impacted by familial ties, even if it is in a dark and complex way.