The intro to Star Wars: Dark Times – A Spark Remains #1 caught my attention pretty quickly. Mysterious, faceless Jedi, a trap, burning Clone Troopers, and an always on his guard Vader. Seems like someone is trying to off everyone’s favorite Dark Lord of the Sith and, of course, who can blame them. But, why? And, who?

Star Wars: Dark Times – A Spark Remains is the first in a 5-part series in yet another Vader-centric arc. Don’t get me wrong, I am all about Darth Vader stories, especially those set between Episodes 3 and 4, but those seem to be the majority of comics Dark Horse is turning out these days. At least, that’s what’s showing up on my desk the most. I loved Ghost Prison and Purge, so if Dark Times is anything like those reads, I’m all for it.

So, while I enjoyed Vader’s intro and the trap laid out for him, the rest of the issue didn’t really grab me. We are introduced to Jennir, a former Jedi, his lover, and the crew of the Uhumele, who have brought in Jennir to help carry out their plan to, you guessed it, kill Vader! When it comes to me and Star Wars, you have to grab me immediately with characters I’m not familiar with. They did this beautifully with Tohm in Ghost Prison, but here I felt it lacking; however, by the end, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little curious as to exactly how things will pan out. Plus, Jennir mentions knowing an old Jedi who might be willing to help. Who could this be, I wonder?

Being the first issue of a 5-part arc, I will cut it a bit of slack. Hopefully, the next issue will hold my attention better and this was just a bit of back story leading up to much bigger events.