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Darth Vader Reading Order (Star Wars)

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Does Darth Vader really need an introduction? Darth Vader is one of the most iconic villains of all time. Created by George Lucas, he is the central antagonist of the original Star Wars trilogy.

But Darth Vader was not always Darth Vader. Before, he was Anakin Skywalker, The Chosen One. He was destined to bring balance to the Force and was trained by Obi-Wan Kenobi to become a Jedi. He was one of the main protagonists of the prequel trilogy.

When Skywalker chose to turn to the dark side of the Force, and pledged his allegiance to the Sith Lord Darth Sidious, his alter ego, Darth Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith, was created.

This is the story of a tragic hero who turned villain and became one of the most famous fictional characters ever. It’s no surprise that several stories have been featuring him in the Star Wars Universe, Legends or Canon timeline.

For this reason, Darth Vader deserves, without a doubt, his own comic reading order (with a few books). For an expanded experience, check out our Star Wars Canon Comics Reading order or our Star Wars Legends Comics Reading Order.

Darth Vader Canon Reading Order (Marvel)

We first begin with the Dark Vader stories in the canon timeline. Following are the Darth Vader series in publication order: 

  • Star Wars: Darth Vader (2015-2016) by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca. Set between the events of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.
  • Star Wars: Darth Vader (2017-2018) by Charles Soule. Set after the events of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith.
  • Star Wars: Vader – Dark Visions (2019, miniseries) by Dennis Hopeless. Set before the Battle of Yavin.
  • Star Wars: Target Vader (2019, miniseries) by Robbie Thompson.
  • Star Wars: Darth Vader (2020-) by Greg Pak. Set between the events of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.

Anakin before Darth Vader

Optional reading. Explore the history of Anakin Skywalker before he took the name Dark Vader. The following issues occurs during Anakin’s training.

Darth Vader: Dark Lord of the Sith by Charles Soule

Published between 2017 and 2018, this is Charles Soule’s run on Darth Vader. Picking up directly where Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith ends, it follows Vader as he ascends to power as a Dark Lord of the Sith! 

Having lost everything dear to him and now more machine than man, Vader takes his first steps into a darker world. To ensure the Emperor’s grip on the galaxy is absolute, Vader must deal swiftly and brutally with any uprisings, but he has a goal of his own…

Collected in Omnibus:

Collected in trade paperbacks:

Darth Vader: Miniseries

Following are two stand-alones miniseries occurring a few years before Rogue One and the Battle of Yavin.

Star Wars: Dark Vader by Kieron Gillen & Salvador Larroca

Coming from Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca is the series Star Wars: Dark Vader from 2015-2016, set between the events of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back.

Fresh from a stinging defeat at the hands of the Rebel Alliance, Darth Vader must reassert the Empire’s iron grip on the galaxy. But will his personal desire for vengeance against the young Jedi who destroyed the Death Star distract from Vader’s duty to the Emperor? As a fateful quest begins, the Dark Lord of the Sith will face new threats to his power.

Darth Vader’s story is intertwined with Star Wars and Doctor Aphra during that period. Check out our complete Star Wars Comics Canon reading order for the other series!

Collected in Omnibus:

Collected in trade paperbacks:

Star Wars: Darth Vader by Greg Pak

Ongoing series published since 2020. Star Wars: Darth Vader is set between the events of Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi.

Darth Vader: Black, White and Red

A canon comic anthology miniseries featuring the Dark Lord of the Sith Darth Vader. The series includes a four-part story by Jason Aaron, as well other stories by Peach Momoko, Torunn Grønbekk, and others set at different places in the timeline. 

Darth Vader Legends Reading Order (Dark Horse)

The following stories are part of Star Wars Legends, also called the Star Wars Expanded Universe. Those are not considered part of the canon anymore but from another continuity. It’s still some Darth Vader stories for those who want to further explore the character. Here’s the listing:

  • Star Wars: Purge (2005-2013), a collection of three one-shot and two-issue miniseries following Darth Vader after the fall of the Galactic Republic and the Jedi.  19BBY
  • Star Wars: Dark Times (2006-2013), intertwines with the events of Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader
  • Star Wars: Darth Vader (2011-2014), set after the events of Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith and contains:
    • Darth Vader and the Lost Command (2011)
    • Darth Vader and the Ghost Prison (2012)
    • Darth Vader and the Ninth Assassin (2013)
    • Darth Vader and the Cry of Shadows (2013-2014)

The Dark Lord Trilogy (novel)

Those are not comic books. The Dark Lord Trilogy is the name given to three Star Wars Legends novels telling the final days of the Galactic Republic and the transformation of Anakin Skywalker into Darth Vader.

Star Wars: Darth Vader Legends Collected Editions

The Old Republic has fallen — and the Empire is rising! In the aftermath of Episode III, Sith lord Palpatine exerts his ruthless grip on the galaxy as his enforcer Darth Vader leads a brutal purge to wipe out the Jedi Order! The following stories depict missions Vader partakes in and shows us how the Galaxy changed with the end of the Republic.

Collected in Omnibus:

  • Star Wars Legends: The Empire Omnibus Vol. 1
    Collects Star Wars: Republic #78-80, Star Wars: Purge, Star Wars: Purge — Seconds To Die, Star Wars: Purge — The Hidden Blade, Star Wars: Purge — The Tyrant’s Fist #1-2, Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Lost Command #1-5, Star Wars: Dark Times #1-17, Star Wars: Dark Times — Blue Harvest #0, Star Wars: Dark Times — Out Of The Wilderness #1-5 And Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Ghost Prison #1-5.
  • Star Wars Legends: The Empire Omnibus Vol. 2
    Collects Star Wars: Dark Times – Fire Carrier #1-5, Star Wars: Dark Times – A Spark Remains #1-5, Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Ninth Assassin #1-5, Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Cry Of Shadows #1-5, Star Wars: Droids Special #1, Star Wars: Droids (1994) #1-6, Star Wars: Droids (1995) #1-8 And Star Wars: The Protocol Offensive – Plus Material From Star Wars Visionaries; Star Wars Tales #11-12, #15 And #20; Dark Horse Presents Annual ’99; And Star Wars Galaxy Magazine #1.

Collected in trade paperbacks:

  • The Empire Vol. 1
    Collects Star Wars: Republic #78–80, Star Wars: Purge, Star Wars: Purge: Seconds To Die, Star Wars: Purge: The Hidden Blade, Star Wars: Purge: The Tyrant’s Fist #1–2, Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Lost Command #1–5, and Star Wars: Dark Times #1–5.
  • The Empire Vol. 2
    Collects Star Wars: Dark Times #6-17, Star Wars: Dark Times – Blue Harvest #0 And Star Wars: Dark Times – Out Of The Wilderness #1-5.
  • The Empire Vol. 3
    Collects Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Ghost Prison #1-5, Star Wars: Dark Times – Fire Carrier #1-5, Star Wars: Dark Times – A Spark Remains #1-5 And Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Ninth Assassin #1-5.
  • The Empire Vol. 4
    Collects Star Wars: Darth Vader And The Cry Of Shadows #1-5; Star Wars: Jabba The Hutt — The Gaar Suppoon Hit, The Hunger Of Princess Nampi, The Dynasty Trap and Betrayal; And Star Wars: Boba Fett — Enemy Of The Empire #1-4 — Plus Material From Star Wars Tales #7, #11-12, #15 and #18-20; Star Wars Visionaries OGN; Dark Horse Presents Annual ’99; and Free Comic Book Day 2012: Star Wars.
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