OneDarth Vaderstory confirms that the Sith Lord continued to underestimate Obi-Wan Kenobi following his warning inA New Hope, and that makes oneReturn of the Jediline even more meaningful. Although Obi-Wan died inA New Hope, he famously warned Darth Vader that, if he struck him down, Obi-Wan would become more powerful than Vader could imagine.
Of course, ever impulsive, Vader cut Obi-Wan down anyway, leading Obi-Wan to become one with the Force asa Force Ghost. One canonStar Warsstory set betweenA New HopeandReturn of the Jedihas since confirmed thatDarth Vader continued to doubt Obi-Wan’s power, and that makes oneReturn of the Jediline so much better.
Darth Vader Believed The Dark Side Would Always Triumph
Even With Obi-Wan’s Warning, Darth Vader Believed He (And The Dark Side) Would Win
InA New Hope, Vader paid little mind to Obi-Wan’s warning that he would become more powerful in death, although that ultimately proved true, as Force Ghosts are perhaps the single most powerful a being can become inStar Wars. Presumably due in large part to Vader’s ego, though, he was convinced that Obi-Wan’s death meant triumph.
This perception was apparent in the canonStar Warscomic bookStar Wars (2015) #3, written by Jason Aaron, in which Vader effectively taunts Obi-Wan after his death, suggesting that Obi-Wan has lost and the light side is doomed to always lose. Specifically, in the comic, Vader says:
“The boy. The boy is your last great hope, isn’t he, Obi-Wan? He is what you died to protect. He may be strong in the Force, but he is untrained. And who is there left to train him now? No one but me. When I find him… and I will find him… he will be my weapon, not yours. The dark side always wins, Obi-Wan. You should know that by now.”
Vader’s words make it clear that, at that point, he believed death had stopped Obi-Wan, and that, in stopping him, he had prevented Luke from ever being trained in the light side of the Force (and therefore ever becoming a true Jedi). Based on that assumption, it seems Vader was still unaware of Obi-Wan becoming a Force Ghost.
Vader also thought there was no way for the dark side of the Force to be beaten, especially then.Star Warsmovies and TV showshave proven that the dark side always winning is far from the truth—the exact opposite has been proven regarding the dark side versus the light side—but Vader’s own hate and ego blinded him.
In addition to those details, Vader’s comments about Luke being untrained specifically stand out. In fact,it is this dialogue in particular that makes one Vader line inReturn of the Jedieven better and more meaningful.
Darth Vader’s Compliment To Luke Rings So Much More Powerfully Now
Star Wars (2015) #3confirms that Vader believed Luke would remain untrained following Obi-Wan’s death, which completely changes one of hisReturn of the Jedilines and makes it so much more significant.InReturn of the Jedi, Darth Vader tells Luke,“Obi-Wan has taught you well.“This means that his opinion has clearly shifted regarding what Obi-Wan’s death meant.
This shockingly also suggests Darth Vader knew Obi-Wan had become a Force Ghost, as he had previously described Luke as untrained. Clearly,Vader was aware that, in the time since, Obi-Wan had indeed trained Luke. What makes this especially surprising is the fact that this is one ofStar Wars’Force powersonly accessible to those on the light side.
This shockingly also suggests Darth Vader knew Obi-Wan had become a Force Ghost.
In fact, while the Sith likely knew of this power, it’s long been a question whether Palpatine or Vader knew Obi-Wan had achieved it. Therefore, this oneDarth Vaderstory not only makes hisReturn of the Jediline so much better but also opens up a host of brand-new, thrilling questions.
