Darth Vader has teamed up with the Schism Imperial to overthrow Emperor Palpatine using a planet-killing weapon.
Star Wars has brought back one of Anakin Skywalker's oldest friends during the Galactic Civil War, only to be betrayed by Darth Vader himself.
As depicted in the latest issue of Darth Vader #43 by Greg Pak and Adam Gorham, the Dark Lord has forged an alliance with the Schism Imperial, a group of disgruntled bureaucrats seeking the downfall of the Emperor. Their combined forces have recovered an Imperial death machine that the Rebellion had previously stolen, aiming to use it in their sinister plans. In this narrative, Kitster Banai, Anakin Skywalker's childhood friend, finds himself entangled in this dangerous alliance, facing Darth Vader's wrath and the threat of his fellow crew members.
How To Watch the Star Wars Movies and TV Shows Chronologically and in Order of Release
Kitster Banai's Star Wars History Explained
Kitster has met Darth Vader before, during the Boonta Eve podrace as seen in The Phantom Menace. He won the race and his freedom, and was taken off-world by Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn to become a Jedi Knight. Kitster would later be freed from slavery thanks to Sabe, one of Padmé Amidala's handmaids who'd begun a slave liberation initiative in honor of Anakin's mother Shmi.
Along with the Rodian named Wald, another childhood friend of Anakin's, Kitster became a leading figure with a colony of former Tatooine slaves on Gabredor III. However, the corruption of the world's Imperial governor and the creation of this very same "Death Machine" put them all in danger. This led to Darth Vader saving Kitster (whom the Dark Lord recognized) during his mission to root out Crimson Dawn's influence within the Empire, while also destroying the governor's device capable of draining and converting the energy of an entire world.
Will Kitster Continue to Resist Darth Vader? Anakin's Memory May Spare His Old Friend
With Darth Vader's priorities now shifted, Kitster's anger and confusion intensify as he realizes the Dark Lord's desire to wield the very device he destroyed in the name of order. However, with the Schism Imperial's power waning and Palpatine's chaos eradicated from the Empire, Vader's motives become even more ambiguous and raise questions about his true purpose.With Kitster and his team now forced to continue operating the "Death Machine" for Vader, one wonders what Anakin's old friend may do, considering the potential danger posed by the weapon and its associated memories. Moreover, the question arises as to how much longer the memory of the man Darth Vader once was will continue to protect Kitster in the issues to come.