10 Years Later, Darth Vader Is Officially Returning Star Wars' New Rogue One Series

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Darth Vader Force Attack Scene in Star Wars Rogue One

Published Jun 2, 2026, 2:23 PM EDT

Ambrose Tardive is an editor on ScreenRant's Comics team. Over the past two years, he has developed into the internet's foremost authority on The Far Side. Outside of his work for ScreenRant, Ambrose works as an Adjunct English Instructor.

Star Wars is revisiting Darth Vader's brief, but legendary role in Rogue One. It has been a decade since the franchise released its first, and so far, most successful, Star Wars Story spin-off film. Rogue One was a direct prequel to the original Star Wars, and it subsequently spawned a prequel of its own, the hit series Andor. Now, the franchise is fleshing out the story even more, and that includes Vader's appearance.

Star Wars: Rogue One – Darth Vader is set to expand on the Sith Lord's relationship with Director Krennic, the head of the Death Star project and primary antagonist of the movie. Though fans know where both characters will end up, Star Wars can still add an unexpected piece to the puzzle with this new story.

Star Wars Is Adding More Context To Darth Vader's Role In The Death Star's Construction

Star Wars: Rogue One – Darth Vader #1, Written By Chris Condon; Art By Luke Ross

Star Wars Rogue One Darth Vader over, Vader looming over other Imperials

Here is the full synopsis for the new Rogue One anniversary special:

WHEN NEGOTIATIONS FAIL, THE EMPIRE SENDS IN ITS ATTACK DOG — DARTH VADER! Director Orson Krennic’s negotiations with the gem-rich planet of Harreld have hit a standstill. Its leader, Harqque, refuses to allow the Empire to mine its rare kyber deposits for use in the Death Star’s deadly super laser. But when the Emperor catches wind of Krennic’s failure, he sends his most trusted acolyte — Darth Vader — to ply the kyber from Harqque by any means necessary.

In other words, just as the TV series Andor was hailed for doing, this one-shot Vader comic will dig into the grim logistics of the Death Star's construction. The implication is that Vader will get his hands dirty taking the kyber crystals necessary to power the Death Star's by force.

The story will also shed more light on Director Krennic's story leading directly into Rogue One. The movie made it clear enough that Krennic was on thin ice with his Imperial superiors, including Darth Vader and Grand Moff Tarkin; of course, he ultimately proved to be just another dispensable, spent asset for the Empire's higher ups. His "failure" mentioned in the synopsis for Star Wars: Rogue One – Darth Vader #1 will offer more context for why.

Darth Vader Is The Grand Finale Of Marvel's Celebration of "Rogue One" 10 Years Later

Star Wars: Rogue One – Darth Vader #1, Variant Cover By Walt Simonson

Star Wars Rogue One Darth Vader #1 variant cover, Vader leaping into action

Star Wars: Rogue One – Darth Vader is part of an ongoing series of one-shots adding depth to the story of the film. The first issue filled in the last outstanding gap in Cassian Andor's story before Rogue One, while the next issue does the same for Jyn Erso. Upcoming issues will focus on Saw Gerrera, and the fan-favorite duo of Chirrut and Baze. Rogue One – Darth Vader will be the final entry in this series of one-shots; an official release date is TBA, but it is expected to drop around September of this year.

Of course, writing a Darth Vader-focused Rogue One prequel is trickier than stories about Andor, Erso, or Baze and Chirrut. That's because there is so much more still to learn about Rogue One's major characters. Vader is different. Star Wars canon is saturated with Darth Vader stories. Offering something new to Vader lore, something that also connects back to Rogue One and makes readers look at his appearance in the film differently, that's going to be a challenge for author Chris Condon. Yet if he can pull it off, it will be a perfect capstone to the Rogue One anniversary series.

20 Ways Rogue One Has Totally Changed Now That I've Re-Watched It After Andor

Rogue One: A Star Wars Story was designed as a standalone film, but thanks to Andor, fans can revisit the movie with an entirely new perspective.

The Star Wars franchise has struggled on film over the past decade, up to and including the release of The Mandalorian & Grogu. During that time, Marvel Comics has been the place for the best ongoing Star Wars stories, and now it is the place for fans of Rogue One to learn more about the backstory of the movie, including how Darth Vader helped power the Death Star's weapon.

What do you think, Star Wars fans? How are you feeling about the franchise's 10-year celebration of Rogue One in the comics?

TV Show(s) The Mandalorian, Andor, Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Book of Boba Fett, Ahsoka, The Acolyte, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew, Lando, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars Rebels, Star Wars: The Bad Batch, Star Wars: Resistance, Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures, Star Wars: Visions

Cast Mark Hamill, James Earl Jones, David Prowse, Carrie Fisher, Harrison Ford, Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Ian McDiarmid, Ewan McGregor, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, Pedro Pascal

Movie(s) Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones, Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Solo: A Star Wars Story, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi, Star Wars: New Jedi Order

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