Darth Vader is, without question, one of the most famous characters in all of Star Wars.
As a matter of fact, the Dark Lord recently ranked second in Empire’s 50 Greatest Characters from a galaxy far, far away – Han Solo being the first – which is really a testimony to the sheer villainy and gravitas that Vader brings to the table.
Until Return of the Jedi, he’s an evil, faceless mega-villain whose rasping breath needs no introduction, and it’s fair to say that Vader’s iconic helmet is part of what makes him so special to begin with.
And now, thanks to Star Wars Adventures #13 by Elsa Charretier and Pierrick Colinetcan, we may have some details about the true origin of the character’s most famous accessory. Per Screen Rant, it’s understood this new issue follows Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala on a dangerous mission during the Clone Wars.
They later uncover a message from Count Dooku, ultimately leading to the moment when Anakin dons a very familiar gasmask to protect himself from the incoming toxins. And the rest is history, it seems.
This is by no means the first time that a Vader-like mask has appeared in Star Wars lore, as we’ve already been acquainted with the legendary Darth Bane. His ancient apparatus may well have been the inspiration behind Vader’s mask, which ultimately informed the design and shape of Kylo Ren’s some years later.
He’s essentially the unruly prodigy of his grandfather, and we imagine Kylo will be plotting absolute rule now that Supreme Leader Snoke is ostensibly out of the picture. All will be revealed once Star Wars: Episode IX opens big on December 20th of next year.
