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June 26, 2008
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 Well, the previously announced hiatus of Dark Times is upon us, as confirmed on the final pages of issue #12, out this week at your local comics retailer. According to the publisher, the title is taking a six month break, and will return in the first quarter of 2009, after giving way to the Clone Wars blitz coming to all forms of Star Wars media beginning next month.
The issue itself is a good one, and provides a microcosm of how much the title will be missed. The story line marks the halfway point of the year-long Vector arc, and finds the crew of the Uhumele witnessing an epic clash between Force users from different eras of the galaxy. Celeste Morne, recently thawed and still under the sway of the Muur Talisman, squares off against Darth Vader as the latter seeks to test her suitability for filling the role of his apprentice.
The script, by Mick Harrison, moves the events along at a rapid pace, and wisely stays on the sidelines during the centerpiece duel. The only regret is that Bomo Greenbark and company are relegated to the role of observers, an understandable choice given the nature of the arc and the scenery-chewing presence of Vader, but a regrettable one nonetheless. Dark Times has set itself apart from its Dark Horse brethren by offering a gritty, pragmatic view of the galaxy, told mainly through the eyes of the Uhumele's hard luck crew, and this is the first issue in the book's history that doesn't find them front and center.
That said, Vader's commanding presence more than makes up for the change in focus; even in retreat, he cuts a menacing figure and its gratifying to see another of his many attempts at usurping Palpatine take shape. Harrison also holds true to the grim tone of past issues by killing off a major cast member. Though some fans will no doubt cry foul, it says here that chances like this are what make the series great, and it'll be interesting to see how the crew adapts upon their return early next year.
The artwork, curiously split between pencillers Luke Ross and Doug Wheatley, delivers the goods and then some. The characters are all rendered in fine detail, and the story board execution of the duel between Celeste and Darth Vader is nothing short of cinematic; you can almost hear the hum of lightsabers and the swishing of fabric as Vader flings her around like a rag doll and Morne dusts herself off and asks for more.
Ultimately, Dark Times #12 is an issue that you'll want to pick up. In addition to adding some teeth to the Vector story arc, the title continues doing what it does best: taking us to the darker corners of a galaxy far, far away, and forcing us to look.
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