Page 136 - Star Wars Insider (Special Edition 2020)
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right man for the job. I was aware that I’ve always been fascinated by the thriller] House of Cards as a shorthand
Marvel had a lot of writers who would character of Darth Vader. I’m afraid I’ve description for the series: A powerful
kill to do it! In the end, I decided I was as always gone with the villains! It is always man feels slighted and turns to tactics
qualified as anyone, which is a terrible more fun to draw villains than heroes— he would have previously shunned to
piece of ego. One of the main criticisms though in our story the Dark Lord is the reach new heights of power. That core
of my work at Marvel is paying more hero, really. vision remained, though the execution
attention than I should to the villains always wanders. You knew in your heart
and their motivations, but here that is What was your vision for the series at of hearts that the final panel of Vader’s
a positive boon. For that and a bunch of the start? story would be him, on the bridge of the
other reasons, I realized maybe I actually KG: When Jordan called it wasn’t definitely Executor, about to go after Luke.
was the right person for the job. a Darth Vader book. He told me if I had a
better idea, go for it… But it was never not JDW: It probably won’t be too surprising
Salva, what was your reaction to being going to be Vader for me. to hear that one of our major touchpoints
offered penciling duties? I viewed it almost like a historical novel in talking about what this book would
Salvador Larroca: Surprise! A year before because it’s set in a distinct period in the be was [the AMC drama] Breaking Bad.
starting, Marvel told me they wanted saga. At the end of A New Hope, Vader Even though the series is heavy with gut-
me and it was a tremendous joy. But I is one of the few survivors to one of the wrenching emotion, it always found room
preferred to be cautious until the scripts biggest military disasters of all time, and for humor. I think Kieron referred to [the
were ready. When they confirmed I was he’s at least partially to blame. But at project] as a post-Breaking Bad take on
definitely going to do it, I was thrilled. the start of Empire, he’s commanding the Darth Vader at one point, and I think [he]
fleet, killing people at will, and generally is very right.
Was Star Wars a big part of both has more power than ever. There’s an
your childhoods? implied story there—the fall and rise Salva, you’ve worked with several
KG: My first movie experience was seeing of Darth Vader—and that’s what my arc noted Star Wars scribes. How is
The Empire Strikes Back in the cinema. would be. Kieron different?
It was my entry into pop-fantasy culture; The second key element, and the real SL: Every writer is different, as every
and Darth Vader was my first iconic image emotional meat, is that between the two artist is, too. Kieron is very easy to work
of evil. That I get to write the prequel to movies Vader realizes that he has a son. with because he is very visual in his
my own introduction to this world is the He realizes that the last 20 years of his life descriptions. He is a very good writer
sort of thing that could blow a few fuses have been a lie. We had to do the inversion and his scripts are fun, which is important
if you consider it too long! of the “I Am Your Father” scene—the for an artist. When you spend a lot of time
SL: Yes, of course. I saw the movies as a “I Have a Son” scene. with a story, you have to have fun with it,
child and I’ve always been a great fan. I often use [the Netflix political otherwise it becomes very hard.
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