Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1One of Star Wars' lesser-known villains, Darth Vader's mysterious attendant Vaneé has recently made a new appearance, vowing to serve none other than his old master's grandson, Kylo Ren. First debuting in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, Vaneé was the cloaked man who informed Lord Vader of Director Krennic's arrival to his fortress on Mustafar. However, Star Wars has since revealed so much more of his origins and history as the caretaker of Darth Vader's castle.
In the Empire's earliest days, Darth Vader had his imposing fortress built on the lava banks of Mustafar where truly became Darth Vader. Constructed above a locus of dark side energy and designed to amply his power in the dark side, Darth Vader's castle is one of the darkest locations in the entire Star Wars galaxy. However, it's also been Vaneé's home for decades, from the dawn of the Dark Times to the days of the First Order. Here's everything you need to know about Vaneé and his history with Darth Vader ahead of his brand-new service to Kylo Ren.
Star Wars Just Brought Back Vaneé, The Dark Caretaker Of Darth Vader's Castle
Now Serving Kylo Ren
As seen in the brand-new and canonical Star Wars: Legacy #1 by Charles Soule and Luke Ross, the new Supreme Leader Kylo Ren is looking to erase and kill all vestiges of his past in the aftermath of The Last Jedi. Looking to start with his grandfather, Kylo Ren travels to Mustafar, fighting off a group of warriors protecting the fortress whose doors open with a drop of Kylo's blood, recognizing his worthy lineage as a descendant of Darth Vader. This is where Kylo Ren first meets Vaneé who's remarkably still alive (at least what's left of him).
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Appearing to be little more than a head suspended within a large droid apparatus, Vaneé has clearly endured and seen much as the caretaker of Darth Vader's castle. As such, he's not nearly as afraid of Kylo Ren as The Supreme Leader would like him to be, though he does recognize his status as his old master's heir. It's why Vaneé offers to serve Kylo Ren, wanting to show Vader's grandson how the Dark Lord was able to turned his past into true power.
Vaneé's Secret Star Wars History Explained
He Was Once A Normal Imperial Officer
As seen in past Star Wars series like Tales from Vader's Castle and its sequel series, Vaneé was once a normal Imperial officer tasked with investigating the whereabouts of stormtroopers who'd been stationed at Vader's castle. However, he too fell prey to the planet's lava fumes just as the troopers had. This led Vaneé to the brink of insanity with an obsessive desire to serve Darth Vader. The Dark Lord accepted, and the Vaneé became the castle's ongoing caretaker. A non-canonical Vaneé is also featured as the primary villain in the animated special Lego Star Wars: Terrifying Tales.
Following Vader's death in Return of the Jedi, Vaneé saw himself as the only true Acolyte of the Beyond, believing that Vader himself was indeed calling to him from beyond the grave to resurrect him using the power of the dark side. However, this was only the result of the toxic lava fumes. Ironically, Anakin Skywalker's Force ghost did make an appearance in Vader's castle unbeknownst to Vaneé, helping the Rebel agents he'd captured for his Sith ritual escape and guiding them to safety.
Will Vaneé Survive His Service To Kylo Ren?
This Could Be His Final Star Wars Tale
Now, Legacy of Vader #1 confirms that Vaneé continued to live on for decades after his master's demise and the end of the Empire, watching over Vader's empty castle as a loyal servant even as he lost more and more himself. However, Vaneé now has a new chance to be useful to Vader's legacy once more by offering to show Kylo Ren how to use his past to fuel his hatred and power in the dark side by showing him Vader's history, and the Supreme Leader agrees as the end of Legacy of Vader #1.
It's going to be very exciting to see what new reveals might be in store from Darth Vader's most loyal servant. It's already been confirmed through previews that Darth Vader once returned to Tatooine to kill Watto, the Toydarian who once owned Anakin and his mother as slaves. However, writer Charles Soule has promised that that's only the tip of the iceberg as the new Star Wars series continues.
Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
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Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
Conceived by the will of the Force itself, Anakin Skywalker was the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring the Force into balance. Anakin struggled to balance competing attachments to the Jedi Order and his wife Padmé Amidala, and ultimately fell to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader. For years he served as Palpatine's right hand man, but he was ultimately redeemed by the faith of his son, Luke Skywalker. Now a Force Ghost, Anakin continues to act as an agent of balance.
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Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
The son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, Ben was manipulated by Palpatine through the Force for most of his life, influenced toward the dark side of the Force. A misstep by Luke Skywalker ultimately left Ben feeling he had no choice but to embrace the dark side, and he became Kylo Ren, a key figure in the First Order. Kylo Ren's heart remained deeply divided, however, even after he ascended to become Supreme Leader of the First Order. He was ultimately redeemed by Rey, with whom he shared a remarkable Force bond, and by the love of his parents.
