I’m not sure I’ve ever held a more impressive book than Anthony Breznican’s Star Wars Icons: Darth Vader. And take these words and understand who they’re coming from: a big Star Wars fan, but not necessarily a huge Darth Vader fan. And yet, that might just be changing after getting my hands on this.
Star Wars Icons: Darth Vader is truly *the* book Vader, exploring every aspect of the character, from his creation to his legacy. This includes how the character was conceived and how he ended up on screen, with little tidbits that will surprise even knowledgeable fans and that might just blow away regular fans like me. Trust me, if you have anyone in your life who really enjoys the character, this is the perfect Christmas gift. Birthday gift. ‘I love you’ gift. All of the above.
This isn’t just a collection of facts, though. The book features everything from interviews with cast and crew, collectible inserts, on-set photos, and concept art that will make you not just understand the man behind the mask better, but might even make him feel more iconic than he already did. And he’s pretty iconic already.
Did I mention how beautiful it is? I think I did, but it cannot be overstated. And there’s also a Star Wars Icons: Vader Bas Relief [Collector’s Edition] which is, if possible, even prettier. The deluxe edition features the book housed in a black-on-black laser-cut slipcase, with a die-cast metal coin emblem of Vader’s helmet and logo embossed on the spine of the book. It is accompanied by an 11” x 15” framed bas relief, sculpted in polyresin and hand-finished with matte and gloss detailing.
But beyond how the book looks and even the information it contains, there’s something really great about being able to dissect such a complicated character in a way that gives you something new, all these years in. No matter how old you are, chances are Darth Vader has been pop culture knowledge for a long time. His story, complete with his fall and redemption, isn’t new. One might even make the mistake of thinking there’s nothing to learn there.
Star Wars Icons: Darth Vader proves that to be wrong. And even though right now, this feels like the definitive story, complete with foreword by Hayden Christiansen, it also made me want to go back to the beginning, if not to experience it all again, at least to be able to see it with new eyes of knowledge. What else can you ask for from a book like this one?
Star Wars Icons: Vader [$250] and Star Wars Icons: Vader Bas Relief [Collector’s Edition] [$450] are available wherever books are sold.
