Star Wars Finally Gives Watto the Death He Deserved: A Reflection on the Morality of Murder

The Star Wars prequel trilogy offers a riveting account of how Anakin Skywalker liberated himself from slavery in his youth. However, the villain who perpetrated the injustices against the Skywalker family evaded any repercussions for his actions. In an intriguing turn of events, the upcoming comic series, Star Wars: Legacy of Vader, finally confronts this long-standing narrative thread, providing a showdown between Darth Vader and the notorious human trafficker and junk dealer, Watto.

Scheduled for release on March 12, 2025, Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #2 has generated considerable buzz, especially following an early preview shared by Marvel Senior Editor Mark Paniccia. This latest installment follows Kylo Ren during his travels across a desolate Tatooine, set in the timeline between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. Accompanied by a droid, Kylo remarks on the planet’s significance to Darth Vader, mentioning a potential return that could signify “taking his revenge.” This vengeance is artistically depicted in a dramatic scene where Vader utilizes the Force to choke Watto.

Sneak peeks of STAR WARS: LEGACY OF VADER #2. Kylo Ren on… Tatooine! https://t.co/O5hy1sLKl7 pic.twitter.com/2G9dqIqAji — Mark Paniccia (@MarkPaniccia) January 24, 2025

Anakin’s Revenge: A New Chapter in Vader’s Narrative

Darth Vader’s Unforgettable Past

Darth Vader using the Force to attack Watto — Custom Image by Jenna Wrenn

In Attack of the Clones, Anakin’s return to Tatooine results in a harrowing encounter with his dying mother, leading to a tragic rampage against the Tusken Raiders. Notably, the preview for Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #2 suggests that Darth Vader later returns to Tatooine to exact further revenge for past grievances, tying his actions back to the events of his youth.

Initially, Anakin gained his freedom from Watto through a triumphant win at the Boonta Eve Classic podrace. This pivotal moment left Anakin with a critical choice: remain on Tatooine with his mother or embark on a journey with Master Qui-Gon Jinn and the Jedi. Ultimately, he chose the Jedi path, yet the issue of his mother’s enslavement at Watto’s hands has been a contentious topic among fans for years. Fortunately, Shmi Skywalker’s suffering ended when Cliegg Lars purchased her freedom, yet the shadow of her past lingered.

Our Perspective: Full Circle for Vader’s Journey

The prospect of Vader confronting Watto captivates many fans who have longheld disdain for the character. However, the depth of this encounter transcends mere revenge. Anakin’s emotional connections to his mother and Tatooine were critical factors that hindered his ability to sever ties as required by Jedi philosophy.

These emotional ties haunted him throughout his journey, foreshadowing his mother’s peril in Attack of the Clones. Witnessing Vader emerge on Tatooine, confronting his enemies encapsulates a poignant full-circle moment in his character arc that began back in The Phantom Menace. Fans will be eagerly awaiting the implications this encounter will have on Kylo Ren’s mission to “finish what he started”as the release of the comic approaches.

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1 is set to be released on February 5.

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