Star Wars: The Complete Vader

by Ryder Windham, Peter Vilmur

Star The Complete Vader is the definitive book on the history, myth, and cultural impact of Darth Vader. From his early development in the first Star Wars film by George Lucas, to the new legends created in comics, videogames, and novels, to his ongoing appearances on everything from television commercials to bedspreads, Vader presents a complete view in all his incarnations as the Dark Lord of the Sith. Going beyond the films to cover his further adventures in the Star Wars Expanded Universe, the book combines new insight with exclusive interviews and photographs from the Lucasfilm Archives. Interactive reproductions of rare memorabilia fire the imagination, while pages packed with never-seen-before images explore the world’s endless fascination with the notorious Darth Vader.

Genres: Star Wars, Science Fiction, Art, Reference, Media Tie In

192 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

Ryder Windham is an American sci-fi author who has written over sixty Star Wars books, including novels, comics, reference books, and so on. He has also written junior novelizations for Indiana Jones movies. Since 1993, he has been working on Star Wars projects either by himself or with other authors. His reference book Star Wars: The Ultimate Visual Guide had been on the New York Times Best Seller list for three weeks in 2005. Although he has written lots of books, accepted interviews, and appeared at several fan-conventions, little is known about his personal life.

Reviews

[Art of the Film · Rating 5 out of 5]

For photos/video of this book, please visit my blog: http://www.movieartbook.com/2015/03/r...

If you are a fan of Star Wars, you are no doubt also a fan of one of its most memorable characters. Darth Vader has permeated popular culture more than almost any other movie icon - and this book is dedicated to all things related to the Dark Lord.

It covers all sorts of topics related to our favorite villain -- his appearance in the original trilogy; the story of Anakin Skywalker as appears in the prequels and the Clone Wars animated series; his presence in the Expanded Universe (books, video games, etc); Vader-related posters, toys, artwork; the international popularity of Vader; and much more.

The book also has some really cool scrapbook-style inserts, which I've listed below.

List of removable inserts:
- Vader costume instructions and sketch
- vintage stickers
- reprint of Lucas's hand-written "Empire" script pg 128 ("I am your father")
- Star Wars 30th anniversary "Redemption" poster by John Brosio -- oil painting and pencil sketch versions

List of non-removable inserts:
- replica of film strip (on cardstock, not actual film).
- Vader trading cards from 70s & 80s
- fold-out storyboards
- "Happy Empire Day" England and Japanese posters
- Star Wars action figure collector's case paper fold-out
- artwork from 'Return of the Jedi' Dark Horse comic
- Vader poster used in Panasonic ad campaign in Japan
- concept sketches of Anakin in Clone Wars series

[Dawn Livingston · Rating 5 out of 5]

If anyone deserves a book it's Vader, such a distinctive look and sound. And did you know they named a newly discovered beetle after Vader? Seems really appropriate looking at the picture of it.

Great for a Star Wars fan. Shows artwork, real products based on Vader such as a Mr. Potato Head Vader. :D I'm not kidding. I only skimmed the book so I didn't get the full impact but then I have a short attention span. A really good gift for that Star Wars FAN in your family. I'm somewhere between a Star Wars fan and FAN. For a FAN this is a must have. For a fan... maybe if you can get it cheap. For a fan like me that's a Fan of the series overall, not a fan of the prequels, and a FAN of the Luke, Leia and Han movies then I'd say getting it from the library might be enough but will probably going to leave you looking for it for a more reasonable price.

So, recap... no matter your fan status it's worth getting it at least from your library. If you are a Fan then maybe look for it on ebay. But if you're a FAN, you have to have it. It's Vader, dude.

[Christopher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I grew up with Star Wars and it is my all time favorite movie. So much so that no one will play Star Wars Trivia with me! My nephew tried once, it was was a massacre.

On top of that I'm a Darth Vader fan with a small collection that has about 25 pieces in it. So with that said when I say this book just knew I had to read it. Great book for for anyone who is a fan of the movies and especially a DV afficando. Lots of interesting tidbits, facts and side notes on how the character was develop and the his story plotted. I especially like reading about merchandising of Darth Vader, that in the beginning he was almost completely overlooked.

The book is filled with pictures, drawings and schematics. There is even a section on how people were to put the costum on when making an appearance at an event. One of the best things that I liked were the poster prints and other renditions from around the world.

This is one of those books that you read just because its fun to read because in the end all you get out of this is more useless Star Wars trivia but it does make for great distraction reading!

[Colin Hoad · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb coffee table book packed with Vader trivia from behind the scenes of the first six movies. Written in the pre-Disney era, so very much focused around George Lucas' vision for the character. The international promotional materials and merchandise are the best parts of this book - in particular the Vader samurai armour! Very enjoyable to flick through on a rainy Sunday.

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lavishly-illustrated account of the world's most iconic fictional villain. The authors, with extensive access to George Lucas and the Lucasfilm archives, examine the development of Vader from the earliest concepts through the original trilogy, the prequels, and into the expanded universe, including merchandising and public reception. The glimpse of Vader's unmistakable helmet in the second trailer for Episode VII demonstrates the ongoing fascination with the Dark Lord of the Sith. A fun and fascinating read!

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Saw this on the library shelf and lugged it out to the car, even though you could use it to create muscles big enough to bench press a moose. Heavy book. Gorgeous pictures. Interesting information on the conception, evolution, and presentation of Darth Vader throughout the Star Wars franchise and history. I was particularly entertained reading about the various ways "Darth" has turned up in homes all over the world, from beach towels to night lights. Fun little informative read.

[Pedro Marroquín · Rating 2 out of 5]

Regalo de navidades que se centra al principio sobre como fue evolucionando Vader desde los bocetos originales hasta la primera película (interesante a veces) y que luego se centra demasiado en toooodos los juguetes y peluches que se hicieron de Vader, para acabar con los comics y libros sobre este personaje, sobre todo de la primera trilogía (la que se centra en Anakin). Demasiada información para mi... Y solo me ha gustado ver la versión de KAWS de el bueno de Darth Vader.

[Paul Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soooo thankful to my son for buying me this book for Father's Day 2014. What an amazing, epic collection of everything Darth Vader this is, including the films, books, merchandise, comics, TV shows, and anything else related to the Dark Lord of the Sith!!! A MUST-HAVE for every Star Wars fan! "Impressive...most impressive." :)

[Clinton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great photographs, good background research.. was a fun trip to the past as they trace through all merchandise that is/was Vader. Especially enjoyed how the name has crept into science naming beetles and such. Also enjoyed a sneak background photo of a toy soldier incorporated into the Executor model. Overall book was a little long and dry to read so best skim for the highlights.

[Michael Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that really dives deep into the character of Vader. The book is packed with info. Not only does it cover things you'd expect like the creation of the character. It also gets into interesting territory about how Vader was marketed and all the different Vader collectibles and memorabilia available. Really great for any Star Wars fan, moreso for the Vader fans.

[Frank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lives up to its title as this is pretty much all you could ever want to know about the iconic character. Quite a few flashbacks to the simpler, pre-prequel time of my youth. Good info on Lucas's story origins and fun pix of Vader's influence from around the world.

[Lawrence Tuck · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was pretty cool. Lots of pictures, memorobelia, collectibles, background on the actors/writers/developers, and how even Lucas wasnt prepared for how Darth Vader became such a phenomenon.....

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent descriptive and visual resource for Darth Vader fans. This really is the complete Vader, at least up to 2009. Moreover, Star Wars: The Complete Vader is great source for Star Wars collectors. Impressive record of rare (including international) toys, posters & products.

[Eric Geller]

You can see my video review/walkthrough here.

[Clinton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got this as a Christmas gift from my sister and sped through it in just a few days. Very cool read about how Darth Vader was developed for the movies and how he has impacted pop culture.

[Robert Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everything concerning the Dark Lord of the Sith. Very comprehensive and detailed, with plenty of special extras. 100% Excellent.

[Steven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn't put this down once I started. Lots if great info and pictures.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Impressive. Most impressive.

[RumBelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you ever wanted to know about Darth Vader. Biography, information on character development and artistic material depicting Vader all shed light on this most iconic of characters.