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Star Wars: Purge #1-5
Star Wars: Purge
The terror of the galaxy, Darth Vader, brings death to the Jedi who survived Order 66. His legend grows as he roots out Jedi, crushing their lives, their hopes, and all memory of their kind from the civilizations that now bow to the Emperor...
A band of surviving Jedi hunt Vader before he can hunt them... A lone Jedi blocks the Dark Lord's success, using honor as his weapon... Vader is drawn away from an assignment by a Jedi and his Padawan... And a cunning Jedi relives Order 66 on her way to destroy the Sith Lord forever!
A band of surviving Jedi hunt Vader before he can hunt them... A lone Jedi blocks the Dark Lord's success, using honor as his weapon... Vader is drawn away from an assignment by a Jedi and his Padawan... And a cunning Jedi relives Order 66 on her way to destroy the Sith Lord forever!
124 pages, Paperback
First published July 10, 2013
15 people are currently reading
421 people want to read
About the author
John Ostrander
2,087 books170 followersJohn Ostrander is an American writer of comic books. He is best known for his work on Suicide Squad, Grimjack and Star Wars: Legacy, series he helped create.
Originally an actor in a Chicago theatre company, Ostrander moved into writing comics in 1983. His first published works were stories about the character "Sargon, Mistress of War", who appeared the First Comics series Warp!, based on a series of plays by that same Chicago theatre company. He is co-creator of the character Grimjack with Timothy Truman, who originally appeared in a back up story in the First Comics title, Starslayer, before going on to appear in his own book, again published by First Comics in the mid 1980s. First Comics ceased publication in 1991, by which time Ostrander was already doing work for other comics companies (his first scripts for DC Comics were published in 1986).
Prior to his career in comic books, Ostrander studied theology with the intent of becoming a Catholic priest, but now describes himself as an agnostic. His in-depth explorations of morality were later used in his work writing The Spectre, a DC Comics series about the manifestation of the wrath of God. His focus on the character's human aspect, a dead police detective from the 1930s named Jim Corrigan, and his exploration of moral and theological themes brought new life to a character often thought of as impossible to write. He has also worked on Firestorm, Justice League, Martian Manhunter, Manhunter, Suicide Squad, and Wasteland for DC.
Originally an actor in a Chicago theatre company, Ostrander moved into writing comics in 1983. His first published works were stories about the character "Sargon, Mistress of War", who appeared the First Comics series Warp!, based on a series of plays by that same Chicago theatre company. He is co-creator of the character Grimjack with Timothy Truman, who originally appeared in a back up story in the First Comics title, Starslayer, before going on to appear in his own book, again published by First Comics in the mid 1980s. First Comics ceased publication in 1991, by which time Ostrander was already doing work for other comics companies (his first scripts for DC Comics were published in 1986).
Prior to his career in comic books, Ostrander studied theology with the intent of becoming a Catholic priest, but now describes himself as an agnostic. His in-depth explorations of morality were later used in his work writing The Spectre, a DC Comics series about the manifestation of the wrath of God. His focus on the character's human aspect, a dead police detective from the 1930s named Jim Corrigan, and his exploration of moral and theological themes brought new life to a character often thought of as impossible to write. He has also worked on Firestorm, Justice League, Martian Manhunter, Manhunter, Suicide Squad, and Wasteland for DC.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
June 15, 2019
This is mostly about Darth Vader hunting down Jedis in various parts of the galaxy. It's good fun but nothing too deep on a Star Wars level, that is.
Some of the dialogue was painfully on the nose so I just looked at the images.
OVERALL GRADE: B minus.
Some of the dialogue was painfully on the nose so I just looked at the images.
OVERALL GRADE: B minus.
February 6, 2022
Its an alright story.
It tells of what happens during Order 66 aka the purge of Jedis and we follow Vader as he is killing jedi left and right like first he fights Master Choi and the jedi there nad its fun to see the brutality and all the losses there then the focus is shifted to this Jedi "Sha Koon" and tells of how she has been suffering loss of her apprentice and all and her battle with Vader and finally on the planet Otaron XII where Vader fights some jedi named Hylon which was a boring story and yeah its kind of a repetitive story and is just the same old Vader killing these people and well at one point its just brutality from a different angle but shows how far Anakin is gone.
Finally a two-parter where we have a story on planet Vaklin where Vader is pursuing Cho'na Bene, a Jedi who has been escaping and the insurgency rising on the planet and how the Sith fight them and the story is told from a major's perspective named Namada and its one good story among the whole trade and I like how its told and how Vader finally catches this jedi and how the new republic gets a hold of the empire and its a cool fun story in this period and makes for a better read compared to others.
Overall its the same story of execution of jedi from different perspective and can seem a bit tad repetitive but good for a one-time read showing you the savage-ness and dangerous nature of Vader.
It tells of what happens during Order 66 aka the purge of Jedis and we follow Vader as he is killing jedi left and right like first he fights Master Choi and the jedi there nad its fun to see the brutality and all the losses there then the focus is shifted to this Jedi "Sha Koon" and tells of how she has been suffering loss of her apprentice and all and her battle with Vader and finally on the planet Otaron XII where Vader fights some jedi named Hylon which was a boring story and yeah its kind of a repetitive story and is just the same old Vader killing these people and well at one point its just brutality from a different angle but shows how far Anakin is gone.
Finally a two-parter where we have a story on planet Vaklin where Vader is pursuing Cho'na Bene, a Jedi who has been escaping and the insurgency rising on the planet and how the Sith fight them and the story is told from a major's perspective named Namada and its one good story among the whole trade and I like how its told and how Vader finally catches this jedi and how the new republic gets a hold of the empire and its a cool fun story in this period and makes for a better read compared to others.
Overall its the same story of execution of jedi from different perspective and can seem a bit tad repetitive but good for a one-time read showing you the savage-ness and dangerous nature of Vader.
January 7, 2020
Vader hunts down a bunch of Jedi he missed in the purge itself. Some of the stories have a highlight or two, but on the whole there's not too much to write home about.
November 16, 2014
La Orden 66 fue la oportunidad perfecta para que alguien con una personalidad como la de Darth Vader diera rienda suelta a sus instintos asesinos. Jedi a Jedi, planeta a planeta, el Señor Oscuro de los Sith cazó a los supervivientes de la trama maestra del Emperador Palpatine con tal de asegurar el reinado de la Fuerza en manos de los más grandes villanos que ha pisado la saga galáctica Star Wars.
Los Jedi que el Señor Oscuro de los Sith estuvo persiguiendo los meses –años en ocasiones– posteriores a La venganza de los Sith fueron muchos, y los cómics publicados hasta la fecha que retratan tan fatídico acontecimiento se centran en casos concretos que ejemplifican lo que es ser perseguido por alguien tan implacable como Vader. No hay palabras para describir la sensación que debe producir en las tripas ver aproximarse una figura oscura de dos metros y con un halo de funestas leyendas a su alrededor.
Sigue leyendo...
Los Jedi que el Señor Oscuro de los Sith estuvo persiguiendo los meses –años en ocasiones– posteriores a La venganza de los Sith fueron muchos, y los cómics publicados hasta la fecha que retratan tan fatídico acontecimiento se centran en casos concretos que ejemplifican lo que es ser perseguido por alguien tan implacable como Vader. No hay palabras para describir la sensación que debe producir en las tripas ver aproximarse una figura oscura de dos metros y con un halo de funestas leyendas a su alrededor.
Sigue leyendo...
January 1, 2018
The stories where so short that I couldn't even care about dying Jedi. It was really cool yeah but to me every Star Wars story is, so that wasn't exactly a criterion. Almost all of the stories were the same on some level, Vader tries to hunt them and the Jedi hide or the Jedi is after Vader and he magically wins over 5 Jedi Master. Actually, can someone explain that part to me because I genuienly thought it was bullshit. Yes, Vader is amazingly powerful but what is the point of having that long rough Jedi training if someone from the dark side just wins over FIVE FUCKING JEDI MASTERS?!
November 30, 2016
21 BBY
Purge is a graphic novel compilation of one-shots that take place after the fall of the Galactic Republic. The first one-shot is "Purge," where Darth Vader goes to asset-up meeting of the few remaining Jedi after Order 66, and he does as the title indicates: he purges them, slaughtering all the remaining Jedi he can find. The second issue following is "Purge: Seconds to Die." This one was the most interesting of the one-shots. Sha Koon, niece of Plo Koon, strives to continue being a Jedi. She does not want to go into hiding, and this places her against Darth Vader. While she questions the dark side of the Force, she has a Jedi vision of all the great things to come, including Luke's rebuilding of the Jedi through both Luke and Leia's children, as well as the Force users Luke seeks to bring to his future Jedi academy. Sha Koon can die knowing the Jedi will rise again. The third story is "Purge: The Hidden Blade." Vader is sent to a distant planet to guard an Imperial manufacturing facility against the planet natives. He doesn't care much for this mission until he finds out that two Jedi are in league with the planet's natives. And we all know what happens with the Jedi. The final installments are "Purge: The Tyrant's Fist, Part 1," and "Purge: The Tyrant's Fist, Part 2." This two-part conclusion leads us to the rise of the Galactic Empire with Vader seeking out and purging one last Jedi on a planet where the citizens' seek to keep the Jedi's existence a secret.
The art styles vary among the issues, since each issue has a different writer and artist team. The uniqueness of putting all these one-shots into a collective piece is fantastic. If you are a Vader fan, this is for you. If Order 66 hurts your soul, this will be hard to read, because it can be a little bit more graphic in some places as well as tragic.
Purge is a graphic novel compilation of one-shots that take place after the fall of the Galactic Republic. The first one-shot is "Purge," where Darth Vader goes to asset-up meeting of the few remaining Jedi after Order 66, and he does as the title indicates: he purges them, slaughtering all the remaining Jedi he can find. The second issue following is "Purge: Seconds to Die." This one was the most interesting of the one-shots. Sha Koon, niece of Plo Koon, strives to continue being a Jedi. She does not want to go into hiding, and this places her against Darth Vader. While she questions the dark side of the Force, she has a Jedi vision of all the great things to come, including Luke's rebuilding of the Jedi through both Luke and Leia's children, as well as the Force users Luke seeks to bring to his future Jedi academy. Sha Koon can die knowing the Jedi will rise again. The third story is "Purge: The Hidden Blade." Vader is sent to a distant planet to guard an Imperial manufacturing facility against the planet natives. He doesn't care much for this mission until he finds out that two Jedi are in league with the planet's natives. And we all know what happens with the Jedi. The final installments are "Purge: The Tyrant's Fist, Part 1," and "Purge: The Tyrant's Fist, Part 2." This two-part conclusion leads us to the rise of the Galactic Empire with Vader seeking out and purging one last Jedi on a planet where the citizens' seek to keep the Jedi's existence a secret.
The art styles vary among the issues, since each issue has a different writer and artist team. The uniqueness of putting all these one-shots into a collective piece is fantastic. If you are a Vader fan, this is for you. If Order 66 hurts your soul, this will be hard to read, because it can be a little bit more graphic in some places as well as tragic.
May 24, 2014
Wow, I never realized how poor Darth Vader was at his job. There are four stories here, and in three of them, Vader either directly disobeys orders or manages to fail at his task. Especially in the early days, I'm not sure why the Emperor kept him.
The stories are of varying quality. The second one, seconds to die, is the most interesting in approach, though the story isn't very deep. The artwork in the third story, the Hidden Blade, is gorgeously lush. And the story of the fourth is the most complex and nuanced. All of the stories are decent additions, but what they really show is that Vader wasn't very good at his job.
The stories are of varying quality. The second one, seconds to die, is the most interesting in approach, though the story isn't very deep. The artwork in the third story, the Hidden Blade, is gorgeously lush. And the story of the fourth is the most complex and nuanced. All of the stories are decent additions, but what they really show is that Vader wasn't very good at his job.
June 8, 2025
A very interesting look at the ways Vader and the empire go out of their way to defeat the Jedi and destroy what they stood for. Interesting mix of art styles that all work and a writing that maintains this level of seriousness throughout. Vader is much more diabolical in comics than any other medium.
August 6, 2025
Vader just dog walks some geeks.
November 15, 2019
What more can you want than reading about Darth Vader killing Jedi and being edgy? That's right: Nothing!
This is a bind up of five Purge stories.
Star Wars: Purge and The Tyrant's Fist #2 were both 4 stars.
Seconds to die, The Hidden Blade and The Tyrant's Fist #1 were all 3 stars.
My main problem was that they were way too short! There could've been so much more development with Vader's hatred and impulsiveness, maybe even parts were he seriously suffers from these decisions.
Also some of these stories had really interesting ideas (e.g the telepathy in The Hidden Blade) but they were never used to their full potential. Not only could've some telepathy been used to give Vader consequences for his blind hatred but also the mentions of Anakin should've disturbed him way more than they did.
In the end I just want more and longer stories about this very simple concept.
This is a bind up of five Purge stories.
Star Wars: Purge and The Tyrant's Fist #2 were both 4 stars.
Seconds to die, The Hidden Blade and The Tyrant's Fist #1 were all 3 stars.
My main problem was that they were way too short! There could've been so much more development with Vader's hatred and impulsiveness, maybe even parts were he seriously suffers from these decisions.
Also some of these stories had really interesting ideas (e.g the telepathy in The Hidden Blade) but they were never used to their full potential. Not only could've some telepathy been used to give Vader consequences for his blind hatred but also the mentions of Anakin should've disturbed him way more than they did.
In the end I just want more and longer stories about this very simple concept.
May 14, 2014
Purge is an interesting but mixed bag. The stories take place in the months after Revenge of the Sith, in the wake of Order 66. What's interesting is that the tales in Purge give us a different perspective on Vader than many other Vader-centric stories. He's not yet a powerful, feared enigma or a legend; glimpses of Anakin can still be seen. He's obsessive, erratic, overly emotional. He makes mistakes and is bested on multiple occasions. At their best, the stories in Purge capture the growth of a fledgling Vader...
...however, the stories themselves are not always strong, and watching Vader hunt down Jedi after Jedi for several issues gets repetitive. The art and writing are hit and miss. Some issues have interesting characters and decent writing; others are rather clumsy or uninspired (one, for instance, features a flash-forward to New Hope material). The artwork (covers aside) ranges from quite good to rather poor.
Overall, the collection is decent, if you've read some EU comics and stories and want see Vader's character fleshed out a bit in the early months of the Empire's formation. I wouldn't recommend it as a starting point for people newer to Star Wars EU material.
...however, the stories themselves are not always strong, and watching Vader hunt down Jedi after Jedi for several issues gets repetitive. The art and writing are hit and miss. Some issues have interesting characters and decent writing; others are rather clumsy or uninspired (one, for instance, features a flash-forward to New Hope material). The artwork (covers aside) ranges from quite good to rather poor.
Overall, the collection is decent, if you've read some EU comics and stories and want see Vader's character fleshed out a bit in the early months of the Empire's formation. I wouldn't recommend it as a starting point for people newer to Star Wars EU material.
January 31, 2016
Purge. The Empire ascends and Vadar kills a bunch of Jedi. It's a nice bit of continuity, following on from Episode III, but it really doesn't make for a very suspenseful plot. Ostrander's stories exemplify the problem: they're good enough, but after writing the story once in the original Purge, he then has to play wacky games with chronology in his second outing ("Seconds to Die") to keep things interesting. (Admittedly, he succeeds.) Blackman similarly has to offer a big twist ("The Hidden Blade") to keep his readers on their toes. Nonetheless, all of these stories are shallow, repetitive, and not that interesting [5/10].
Purge: The Tyrant's Fist. Freed is the only author to do anything interesting with the Purge, possibly because he has two issues to tell his story. As a result, he gets to detail minor characters and create a deeper story. However, he also offers a big twist on the Purge and uses it as a bookend to the entire sequence [7/10]
Purge: The Tyrant's Fist. Freed is the only author to do anything interesting with the Purge, possibly because he has two issues to tell his story. As a result, he gets to detail minor characters and create a deeper story. However, he also offers a big twist on the Purge and uses it as a bookend to the entire sequence [7/10]
September 25, 2024
Reread: Not only does Vader traipse across the galaxy killing Jedi, but he also learns some lessons in tactics and leadership. Four stories with four different creative teams, this was a fun read from the Legends era.
A good profile of a inexperienced Darth Vader, acting more like naive, whiny Anakin than patient, calculating Vader. Each chapter is done by a different artists, and all of them are excellent.
A good profile of a inexperienced Darth Vader, acting more like naive, whiny Anakin than patient, calculating Vader. Each chapter is done by a different artists, and all of them are excellent.
June 11, 2013
A collection of the current Purge comics. It is very clear that these each have different authors and artists. The first and last two are the best.
January 16, 2014
Good story that takes place after episode 3. Jumps right into the main story and is a fast read, nothing to thought provoking but an entertaining book.
May 18, 2016
More like these, please. Darth Vader hunting Jedi - something every kid wondered about in the 1980's.
January 1, 2021
Darth Vader is ready to purge the Empire of the Jedi. Each step of the way, he encounters expected resistance. His obsession is an irritation to Palpatine though, and we see how the tensions between them are at the start of this new era.
This TPB is a collection of multiple “Purge” stories, written and drawn by different people. Some of the best things about this though is the massive number of aliens (if only we saw just as many in the PT!) and females taking charge. Also, the humans are not all Euro-centric.
Purge
I really love the art!
A group of Jedi find each other on Eriadu and devise a plan to lure Vader to them and then destroy him. Some seek vengeance; others recognize that becoming generals was anti-Jedi, but still understand that lines to the Dark Side exist.
Vader is known to be searching for Obi-Wan, and after he defeats the 8 Jedi, rumours explode, making him seem more terrifying than he actually is. So the Emperor forgives him for disobeying orders.
For now.
Purge: Seconds to Die
The first page has unique paneling. I’m not a huge fan of the art regarding the characters, but the colours and accents are good.
Plo Koon’s niece remembers the telepathic bond between the two of them, and all the pain she has felt since the Clone Wars began--including the loss of her apprentice. She seeks out information on the Sith possibly in the Republic hierarchy and is in the midst of her search in the Archives when Darth Anakin Vader arrives. She ends up escaping and reaches out to Palpatine...only to be caught in a Sith trap herself.
Purge: The Hidden Blade
The art of this makes me think of one of the other series in Legends, but one I can’t think of. (After looking up the artist, it might be Blood Ties). Anyway, the art is fantastic.
On Otavon XII (which has unique aliens, which is awesome), insurgents (led by a Jedi)) attack a base where AT-ATs are developed. We see the inside of one of the walkers mid-construction, which is really awesome.
Vader is told to stay on base and protect it, but he goes in search of a Jedi.
One of the panels has him holding two lightsabers, one red & one blue, crossed together as he kills an apprentice. It’s definitely awesome art and colours.
And even though Vader is the victor, the Jedi Master has led him into a trap.
Palpatine is NOT. HAPPY.
Purge: The Tyrant’s Fist
This is in two parts, and I really like how it is set up. While there is prose, the story is told from the point-of-view of an ISB officer, Major Namada, and her report on the events that occur on Valkin, an outlying world. The art and colours are also great, and I just really like the uniqueness of it all (apparently, a lot of this TPB is unique to me, hah)!
Vader is sent to deal with insurgents, knowingly led by three Jedi. The main one in charge though, Cho’na Bene, may have given more power to this mini rebellion than everyone initially thinks.
Bene has multiple limbs, dreadlocks, blue skin (but not a Duros), a snout, and pointed ears. He looks really awesome...and he taunts Vader, which is B.A.
Namada is fairly friendly with the locals, which makes sense (and has happened in other stories, Legends and Disney canon). Even the pastry maker is snarky with her, like many merchants are with their regulars!
Everyone knows Cho’na Bene is essentially running the show.
Vader won’t admit defeat, even if it means destroying Valkin--which Palpatine does NOT want to happen.
In part 2, Namada explains why there is such a devotion to the Jedi, and the steps Vader takes to eliminate all memory of them--even though Namada knows quite a bit about those who are remembered through statues. Cho’na Bene brings up a good point as to the fact that 1) memories and stories outlive physical objects, and 2) Vader focusing his hate on eradicating the Jedi may in fact cause more people to keep their doings in stories.
Cho’na Bene’s look of despair on one of the final pages is utterly evident and heartbreaking.
It is really sad what happens on the planet, and how Vader & Namada eventually come out the winners. I liked her until I fully saw what she was doing--a true Imperial.
This TPB is a collection of multiple “Purge” stories, written and drawn by different people. Some of the best things about this though is the massive number of aliens (if only we saw just as many in the PT!) and females taking charge. Also, the humans are not all Euro-centric.
Purge
I really love the art!
A group of Jedi find each other on Eriadu and devise a plan to lure Vader to them and then destroy him. Some seek vengeance; others recognize that becoming generals was anti-Jedi, but still understand that lines to the Dark Side exist.
Vader is known to be searching for Obi-Wan, and after he defeats the 8 Jedi, rumours explode, making him seem more terrifying than he actually is. So the Emperor forgives him for disobeying orders.
For now.
Purge: Seconds to Die
The first page has unique paneling. I’m not a huge fan of the art regarding the characters, but the colours and accents are good.
Plo Koon’s niece remembers the telepathic bond between the two of them, and all the pain she has felt since the Clone Wars began--including the loss of her apprentice. She seeks out information on the Sith possibly in the Republic hierarchy and is in the midst of her search in the Archives when Darth Anakin Vader arrives. She ends up escaping and reaches out to Palpatine...only to be caught in a Sith trap herself.
Purge: The Hidden Blade
The art of this makes me think of one of the other series in Legends, but one I can’t think of. (After looking up the artist, it might be Blood Ties). Anyway, the art is fantastic.
On Otavon XII (which has unique aliens, which is awesome), insurgents (led by a Jedi)) attack a base where AT-ATs are developed. We see the inside of one of the walkers mid-construction, which is really awesome.
Vader is told to stay on base and protect it, but he goes in search of a Jedi.
One of the panels has him holding two lightsabers, one red & one blue, crossed together as he kills an apprentice. It’s definitely awesome art and colours.
And even though Vader is the victor, the Jedi Master has led him into a trap.
Palpatine is NOT. HAPPY.
Purge: The Tyrant’s Fist
This is in two parts, and I really like how it is set up. While there is prose, the story is told from the point-of-view of an ISB officer, Major Namada, and her report on the events that occur on Valkin, an outlying world. The art and colours are also great, and I just really like the uniqueness of it all (apparently, a lot of this TPB is unique to me, hah)!
Vader is sent to deal with insurgents, knowingly led by three Jedi. The main one in charge though, Cho’na Bene, may have given more power to this mini rebellion than everyone initially thinks.
Bene has multiple limbs, dreadlocks, blue skin (but not a Duros), a snout, and pointed ears. He looks really awesome...and he taunts Vader, which is B.A.
Namada is fairly friendly with the locals, which makes sense (and has happened in other stories, Legends and Disney canon). Even the pastry maker is snarky with her, like many merchants are with their regulars!
Everyone knows Cho’na Bene is essentially running the show.
Vader won’t admit defeat, even if it means destroying Valkin--which Palpatine does NOT want to happen.
In part 2, Namada explains why there is such a devotion to the Jedi, and the steps Vader takes to eliminate all memory of them--even though Namada knows quite a bit about those who are remembered through statues. Cho’na Bene brings up a good point as to the fact that 1) memories and stories outlive physical objects, and 2) Vader focusing his hate on eradicating the Jedi may in fact cause more people to keep their doings in stories.
Cho’na Bene’s look of despair on one of the final pages is utterly evident and heartbreaking.
It is really sad what happens on the planet, and how Vader & Namada eventually come out the winners. I liked her until I fully saw what she was doing--a true Imperial.
May 2, 2020
The movie scenes when Order 66 was issued were some of the most dramatic in the whole Star Wars saga. An order numbering 10,000 beings sensitive in the Force, all but obliterated. This comic adds some welcome detail to those too-short scenes.
It's a rare sight to see Jedi consider taking advantage of the Dark Side's power to defeat a foe. With Order 66 in full effect, they have become desperate. A handful of surviving Jedi create a plan to defeat Darth Sidious and destroy his empire before it can take hold.
In the next story the narration is nonchronological and in the first person - always something nice to see. Sha Koon is a Jedi Knight who barely survived Vader's attack on the Jedi temple. Her daring plan involves offering Sidious to replace Vader as his padawan.
The Ovoni are a race who don't take kindly to their world being invaded by the Empire. They attack the Empire's defenses to disrupt the AT-AT factory on their planet. Sidious orders Vader to protect the workers.
The last story showcases the strength of propaganda. Vader works with Oniye Namada of the Imperial Security Bureau to find the most effective way to not only defeat a Jedi Master, but also destroy the image of the Jedi order in the minds of the populace on Vaklin.
It's a rare sight to see Jedi consider taking advantage of the Dark Side's power to defeat a foe. With Order 66 in full effect, they have become desperate. A handful of surviving Jedi create a plan to defeat Darth Sidious and destroy his empire before it can take hold.
In the next story the narration is nonchronological and in the first person - always something nice to see. Sha Koon is a Jedi Knight who barely survived Vader's attack on the Jedi temple. Her daring plan involves offering Sidious to replace Vader as his padawan.
The Ovoni are a race who don't take kindly to their world being invaded by the Empire. They attack the Empire's defenses to disrupt the AT-AT factory on their planet. Sidious orders Vader to protect the workers.
The last story showcases the strength of propaganda. Vader works with Oniye Namada of the Imperial Security Bureau to find the most effective way to not only defeat a Jedi Master, but also destroy the image of the Jedi order in the minds of the populace on Vaklin.
August 2, 2018
Star Wars Legends Project #170
Background: Purge was released in July 2013. It collects a loose series: Purge (1 issue, December 2005), Seconds to Die (1 issue, November 2009), The Hidden Blade (1 issue, April 2010), and The Tyrant's Fist (2 issues, December 2012-January 2013). Purge and Seconds to Die were both written by John Ostrander, with art for the former by Doug Wheatley and for the latter by Jim Hall. The Hidden Blade was written by W. Haden Blackman and drawn by Chris Scalf. The Tyrant's Fist was written by Alexander Freed and drawn by Marco Castiello & Andrea Chella. Ostrander has written many dozens of Star Wars comics, quite a few of which I've written about by this point, and Blackman has also written several in addition to some significant writing for Star Wars video games. Freed wrote two different storylines for The Old Republic series of comics, as well as for The Old Republic MMORPG. He also wrote the novelization for Rogue One. Wheatley and Scalf have both done art for quite a few Star Wars comics, but the other artists have only done a handful between them.
The main character in all of these stories is Darth Vader. The Jedi who appear are either minor figures like Bultar Swan, Jedi connected to better-known Jedi, like Plo Koon's niece Sha Koon, or Jedi who appear here for the first and only time. The story is set all over the galaxy in the weeks after Order 66 (19 years before the Battle of Yavin).
Summary: In Purge, a group of Jedi Masters gather secretly in the wake of the initial purge to discuss what, if anything, they can do with the Jedi Order all but destroyed. But it seems that not only the Jedi in attendance were aware of this meeting . . .
In Seconds to Die, Sha Koon relives the tumultuous years of her time as a Jedi through a series of brief flashbacks, culminating in a confrontation with Darth Vader where the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance.
In The Hidden Blade, Vader feels that an assignment guarding the construction of a line of Imperial Walkers from hostile natives is beneath him until he learns that a pair of Jedi are leading the resistance.
In The Tyrant's Fist, Vader faces his greatest challenge yet: Crushing a Jedi-led Rebellion on a planet where the Jedi Order is revered. Brute force, his weapon of choice, will not be enough where hearts and minds are in play.
Review: These stories get successively better as you work your way through the book. Purge is easily the weakest, and the most susceptible to the common criticism that these stories fail to develop their Jedi characters sufficiently to engage the reader. That's valid, and particularly valid with this story, but I think it ultimately ignores that Darth Vader himself is as much the protagonist of these stories as he is an antagonist. He has to be, since he's the only character who survives most of them. Where this first story suffers the most is in failing to create an interesting situation beyond "Darth Vader hunts down several Jedi and a battle ensues."
Seconds to Die is a step above that, simply because it uses a solid device in building Sha Koon's story quickly and simply and writing her into galactic history through flashbacks and flashforwards. That said, this story is so simple and so straightforward that if I say anything more about it, I'll give it all away.
The Hidden Blade finally, correctly, moves the point-of-view of these stories firmly to Darth Vader. Partially that's because this story wouldn't work at all otherwise, but anyway . . . This story and the next one do a great job of beginning to build the transition between the Darth Vader from the end of Revenge of the Sith to the Darth Vader from the beginning of A New Hope. At this point, he still recognizably carries a lot of Anakin's particular flaws and character traits, and it's also fun to see him butt heads with the Emperor . . . and be wrong!
The real gem of this collection is definitely The Tyrant's Fist, and I was surprised when I noticed it was written by Freed because I kind of hated his earlier Old Republic comics. I really like the way this story gives us some perspective on Vader by lower-level Imperials who don't quite know what to make of him yet, and it does a good job developing characters that aren't Vader and aren't Jedi, which is certainly lacking in the earlier stories. What I like best of all is that Vader learns a lesson about governance here that makes him more than just a rabid dog enforcer, and that's so key to his character later on. I don't want to give away any more, but I would recommend this collection on the strength of this story alone.
A
Background: Purge was released in July 2013. It collects a loose series: Purge (1 issue, December 2005), Seconds to Die (1 issue, November 2009), The Hidden Blade (1 issue, April 2010), and The Tyrant's Fist (2 issues, December 2012-January 2013). Purge and Seconds to Die were both written by John Ostrander, with art for the former by Doug Wheatley and for the latter by Jim Hall. The Hidden Blade was written by W. Haden Blackman and drawn by Chris Scalf. The Tyrant's Fist was written by Alexander Freed and drawn by Marco Castiello & Andrea Chella. Ostrander has written many dozens of Star Wars comics, quite a few of which I've written about by this point, and Blackman has also written several in addition to some significant writing for Star Wars video games. Freed wrote two different storylines for The Old Republic series of comics, as well as for The Old Republic MMORPG. He also wrote the novelization for Rogue One. Wheatley and Scalf have both done art for quite a few Star Wars comics, but the other artists have only done a handful between them.
The main character in all of these stories is Darth Vader. The Jedi who appear are either minor figures like Bultar Swan, Jedi connected to better-known Jedi, like Plo Koon's niece Sha Koon, or Jedi who appear here for the first and only time. The story is set all over the galaxy in the weeks after Order 66 (19 years before the Battle of Yavin).
Summary: In Purge, a group of Jedi Masters gather secretly in the wake of the initial purge to discuss what, if anything, they can do with the Jedi Order all but destroyed. But it seems that not only the Jedi in attendance were aware of this meeting . . .
In Seconds to Die, Sha Koon relives the tumultuous years of her time as a Jedi through a series of brief flashbacks, culminating in a confrontation with Darth Vader where the fate of the galaxy hangs in the balance.
In The Hidden Blade, Vader feels that an assignment guarding the construction of a line of Imperial Walkers from hostile natives is beneath him until he learns that a pair of Jedi are leading the resistance.
In The Tyrant's Fist, Vader faces his greatest challenge yet: Crushing a Jedi-led Rebellion on a planet where the Jedi Order is revered. Brute force, his weapon of choice, will not be enough where hearts and minds are in play.
Review: These stories get successively better as you work your way through the book. Purge is easily the weakest, and the most susceptible to the common criticism that these stories fail to develop their Jedi characters sufficiently to engage the reader. That's valid, and particularly valid with this story, but I think it ultimately ignores that Darth Vader himself is as much the protagonist of these stories as he is an antagonist. He has to be, since he's the only character who survives most of them. Where this first story suffers the most is in failing to create an interesting situation beyond "Darth Vader hunts down several Jedi and a battle ensues."
Seconds to Die is a step above that, simply because it uses a solid device in building Sha Koon's story quickly and simply and writing her into galactic history through flashbacks and flashforwards. That said, this story is so simple and so straightforward that if I say anything more about it, I'll give it all away.
The Hidden Blade finally, correctly, moves the point-of-view of these stories firmly to Darth Vader. Partially that's because this story wouldn't work at all otherwise, but anyway . . . This story and the next one do a great job of beginning to build the transition between the Darth Vader from the end of Revenge of the Sith to the Darth Vader from the beginning of A New Hope. At this point, he still recognizably carries a lot of Anakin's particular flaws and character traits, and it's also fun to see him butt heads with the Emperor . . . and be wrong!
The real gem of this collection is definitely The Tyrant's Fist, and I was surprised when I noticed it was written by Freed because I kind of hated his earlier Old Republic comics. I really like the way this story gives us some perspective on Vader by lower-level Imperials who don't quite know what to make of him yet, and it does a good job developing characters that aren't Vader and aren't Jedi, which is certainly lacking in the earlier stories. What I like best of all is that Vader learns a lesson about governance here that makes him more than just a rabid dog enforcer, and that's so key to his character later on. I don't want to give away any more, but I would recommend this collection on the strength of this story alone.
A
August 24, 2021
Star Wars: Purge, #1: Last Stand of the Jedi
“I have heard the reports .. the Temple .. all the YOUNGLINGS! I began to think none of us were left alive!”
Star Wars: Purge, #2: Seconds to Die
“If I fail, the Sith rule the galaxy. It has all fallen to me. To this moment.”
Star Wars: Purge, #3: The Hidden Blade
“Lord Vader! You can’t keep taking these unnecessary risks!”
Why do these clowns think they can defeat Vader? He is a demi-god.
Star Wars: Purge, #4: The Tyrant’s Fist 1
“The ways of tyrants will never defeat a people who believe.”
Star Wars: Purge, #5: The Tyrant’s Fist 2
“Creeps me out. What sort of people do this for Jedi?” - Stormtrooper
“I have heard the reports .. the Temple .. all the YOUNGLINGS! I began to think none of us were left alive!”
Star Wars: Purge, #2: Seconds to Die
“If I fail, the Sith rule the galaxy. It has all fallen to me. To this moment.”
Star Wars: Purge, #3: The Hidden Blade
“Lord Vader! You can’t keep taking these unnecessary risks!”
Why do these clowns think they can defeat Vader? He is a demi-god.
Star Wars: Purge, #4: The Tyrant’s Fist 1
“The ways of tyrants will never defeat a people who believe.”
Star Wars: Purge, #5: The Tyrant’s Fist 2
“Creeps me out. What sort of people do this for Jedi?” - Stormtrooper
September 5, 2023
An alright comic all around. It's short, true, but it's as long as it needs to be. There's really not much to say about this story tbh.
Let me ask you this.
Do you want a really deep story filled with introspection that develops Vader as a character?
Read something else.
Do you want to read a hundred or so pages of great art filled with Vader kicking ass and being awesome?
Read this.
Purge is basically just a huge action scene and it was fun to read because sometimes all you want to do is see Vader be cool. And since I was in the mood for brainless action, I was happy with it. It's getting a 3/5 since, objectively, there's no real story or characterisation.
Let me ask you this.
Do you want a really deep story filled with introspection that develops Vader as a character?
Read something else.
Do you want to read a hundred or so pages of great art filled with Vader kicking ass and being awesome?
Read this.
Purge is basically just a huge action scene and it was fun to read because sometimes all you want to do is see Vader be cool. And since I was in the mood for brainless action, I was happy with it. It's getting a 3/5 since, objectively, there's no real story or characterisation.
December 19, 2018
This is probably a 3.5, rounding up because, hey, it’s Star Wars! 😊
I enjoyed the stories, Vader’s progression from thug to proto-dictator was explained well, and there was consistency in the storytelling.
Probably a little repetitive, as others have noted. Pehaps there could have been a bit more variety in the way that Vader dealt with the obstacles the stories threw his way - the final story was a good illustration of how an alternative to him just swinging his light Sabre was still interesting.
I enjoyed the stories, Vader’s progression from thug to proto-dictator was explained well, and there was consistency in the storytelling.
Probably a little repetitive, as others have noted. Pehaps there could have been a bit more variety in the way that Vader dealt with the obstacles the stories threw his way - the final story was a good illustration of how an alternative to him just swinging his light Sabre was still interesting.
January 5, 2021
The art for this run of comics is incredible, with an interesting mix of styles from one issue to the next. The story on the other hand is fairly mediocre, following Vader as he hunts different Jedi across the galaxy. The insight into Vader’s personality/character is minimal, and his interactions with other characters usually results in some display of anger or aggression. Plus, the dialogue is at times cheesy or trite, taking away from the beautiful locales and scenes. A decent Star Wars comic overall, but nothing special.
April 11, 2019
Lord Vader wanted Kenobi dead, but the journey to it led trough many Jedi corpses. The hunt started and no Jedi was safe from experienced Sith. It is fast paced compilation of hunting missions tied by Palpatine’s bickering about Vader being reckless, failure here and there but over all acceptable apprentice. The episode role of ISB officer who helped to set things semiright after Vader messed up was refreshing. She was smart ruthless lady and knew her job well.
April 20, 2023
Some Star Wars fans just want to see Vader kill some Jedi, but that gets old pretty fast if there’s no character study going on. The Jedi designs look cool, but it’s tough to get invested in them before they die. Interesting how the first and last stories here talk about legends and whether they’ll be remembered or forgotten. It was kind of cheesy having the Jedi in the second story have a vision of A New Hope.
December 23, 2020
This was a shorter collection of one-shot stories featuring Darth Vader hunting down Jedi around the galaxy. They all follow a similar theme - Vader needing to figure out where the Jedi are hiding and how to root them out while still complying with the often contradictory orders from the Emperor. All stories are pretty strong on their own but not necessarily outright amazing.
December 16, 2025
A pretty awesome collection of Vader stories set just after the rise of the Empire. While I didn't care as much for the art style in the fourth issue, narratively speaking, it was probably my favorite. It nicely tied up Vader's character arc of letting go of his obsession with hunting Jedi that was first begun in "Dark Lord" by James Luceno.
December 22, 2025
"It was okay." - 2 out of 5 star rating.
Not a very good one-shot.
We get some Vader action action here, post Order 66 hunting Jedi. Nothing new, overwhelmingly exciting, and quite bland - which is a shame and also surprising, considering you had Lord Vader as your launch point to make something great.
Definitely a 'Can Skip.'
Not a very good one-shot.
We get some Vader action action here, post Order 66 hunting Jedi. Nothing new, overwhelmingly exciting, and quite bland - which is a shame and also surprising, considering you had Lord Vader as your launch point to make something great.
Definitely a 'Can Skip.'
October 8, 2018
Okay, this was pretty epic. An awesome Darth Vader series. I find the period between episodes 3 and 4 to be extremely intriguing, especially with regards to tracking down surviving Jedi after Order 66, and this series hit the spot quite nicely!
November 21, 2024
These series of one shots set after Order 66 are surprisingly pretty good. Most of them are about Darth Vader hunting down the remaining Jedi. The final one, The Tyrant's Fist was really interesting in how Vader undercut the Jedi's influence on a planet.
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