Darth Vader is arguably one of the most iconic villains in cinematic history, with his presence alone instilling instant fear into hearts of enemies and allies alike. Yet, the vast Star Wars galaxy, particularly its comic book expansions, holds even darker, more terrifying moments of the depth of Vader’s power that never graced the big screen.

Beyond the films and television shows, both animated and live-action, Vader’s reign of terror extends into the pages of countless comics, where his ruthlessness and mastery of the Force are depicted with even greater intensity.

These untold tales showcase a Vader who is not only a formidable warrior, but also a master of psychological warfare; a being capable of truly horrific acts that solidify his place as the galaxy's most feared enforcer. These are moments of Vader’s true power as told through the comic medium, perhaps to be adapted on screen in the near-future.

1 “Surrounded By Fear And Dead Men”

Vader Down (2015-2016) by Jason Aaron and Kieron Gillen, art by Mike Deodato Jr. and Salvador Larroca.

One of the most legendary displays of Vader’s raw power occurs during the six-issue Vader Down crossover event. After his TIE Advanced is shot down, Vader finds himself stranded on the jungle planet of Vrogas Vas, surrounded by an entire Rebel squadron. Instead of retreating or calling for backup, Vader unleashed his fury, single-handedly decimating wave after wave of Rebel troopers and vehicles. When facing what appears to be an overwhelming amount of Rebel fighters, he tells them: “All I am surrounded by is fear. And dead men.” This moment perfectly encapsulates his unwavering confidence and the sheer terror he inspired, even when seemingly outnumbered.

This moment is a stark reminder that Vader is not merely a pilot or a commander; he is a force of nature. His ability to turn what should have been a tactical disadvantage into an even greater slaughter showcases his unparalleled combat prowess and his utter disregard for the lives of his enemies. The Rebels, who believed they had trapped their most feared enemy, instead finds themselves caught in a meat grinder; testament to the fact that even alone, Vader is more than a match for an entire army.

2 Snapping General Draven's Neck with the Force

Star Wars #54 (2018), Written By Kieron Gillen With Art By Angel Unzueta

In a chilling display of his dark power, Darth Vader demonstrates his casual cruelty by snapping General Draven’s neck with the Force. This isn't a grand, cinematic gesture, but a swift, brutal act, executed with minimal effort, highlighting the absolute power he wields over life and death, even over the most influential rebels. The suddenness and finality of the act serve to underscore Vader’s complete dominance and the terror he inspires in those who oppose him, proving that even a simple gesture can be utterly devastating.

This moment is not just about killing; it's about making a statement, about instilling fear so deep that resistance seems futile. General Draven, a person who had devoted years of his life to the rebellion, loses his life with a flick of Vader's wrist, making it a truly unforgettable and terrifying display of Vader’s might. The silver lining in Draven’s sacrifice is that his death bought Leia and her allies time to escape and report critical information to the rest of the Rebellion, ensuring that his death was not in vain.

3 Forcing Inquisitors to Kill Each Other

Darth Vader #20 (2016) By Kieron Gillen With Art By Salvador Larroca

In a truly horrific incident on Coruscant, Darth Vader discovered that two Inquisitors, the Thirteenth Sister and Tenth Brother, had developed a forbidden romantic attachment. Rather than simply punishing them or turning a blind eye, Vader relentlessly hunted them across the cityscape, ultimately cornering them. In a chilling display of his mastery over their fear and the Force, he manipulated the situation to force them to impale each other with their own lightsabers. This act served as a brutal lesson about the weakness of attachment and Vader’s absolute intolerance for any form of defiance or personal connection among his dark side agents.

In a chilling display of his mastery over their fear and the Force, he manipulated the situation to force them to impale each other with their own lightsabers.

This moment highlights Vader's psychological torment tactics and his unwavering commitment to the Sith ideal of power through solitude, even after his own struggles with attachments in the form of Pe. He didn't just kill them; he made them complicit in their own demise, twisting their love into the instrument of their destruction. The public destruction and loss of life during the chase also led Emperor Palpatine to relocate the Inquisitorius headquarters from Coruscant, a testament to the terrifying chaos Vader was willing to unleash to enforce his will.

4 Confronting the Truth about Luke

Darth Vader #6 (2020) by Greg Pak, art by Raffaele Ienco

The moment Darth Vader truly confronts the possibility of Luke Skywalker being his son is a terrifying internal struggle that, while not overtly violent, is chilling in its implications. The revelation shatters his carefully constructed world, forcing him to grapple with the past he desperately tried to bury. This internal turmoil, depicted through Vader's intense reaction and the Force's reverberations around him, reveals a vulnerability that is almost more frightening than Vader’s usual rage.

This pivotal moment is terrifying because it shows Vader at a crossroads, where the weight of his past actions and the potential for a different future collide. The internal battle within him is a silent storm of dark side energy, threatening to consume him entirely. It’s a glimpse into the raw, unbridled emotion that simmers beneath his calm exterior; a power that could wreak unimaginable destruction if fully unleashed, making this internal confrontation a truly terrifying display of his dark side.

5 Slaughtering a Kaiju

Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions #1 (2019) by Dennis Hallum, art by Paolo Villanelli

In a truly epic and horrifying display of power, Darth Vader single-handedly takes down a massive kaiju-like creature. This isn't just a combat encounter; it's a brutal battle between man and beast that showcases Vader's immense strength and mastery of the Force, even against a creature of colossal size and power. He dissects the beast with his lightsaber, reducing a seemingly unstoppable force of nature into a pile of broken flesh and bone as a testament to his terrifying destructive capabilities.

The sheer scale of this act amplifies its terror. To witness Vader so effortlessly dismantle something this immense and powerful underscores his role as an apex predator in the galaxy. It’s a moment that reminds readers that there is no creature, no obstacle, too grand or too formidable for Vader to overcome. His methodical and brutal efficiency in destroying the kaiju leaves no doubt that he is the ultimate force of destruction, a being to be feared by all, regardless of their size or strength.

6 Torturing and Dismantling Cylo IV's Cyborgs

Darth Vader (2015-2016) by Kieron Gillen, art by Salvador Larroca

Vader's encounter with Imperial scientist Cylo IV's cyborgs is a masterclass in terrifying psychological and physical torture. Rather than simply destroying them, Vader methodically picks them off one by one. In the case of the cyborg Karbin, he uses the Force to twist and tear apart his cybernetic enhancements while Karbin's organic components are still alive and screaming, ultimately bringing Karbin's mangled body back to Palpatine.

This deliberate, drawn-out torment illustrates Vader's sadistic tendencies and his terrifying ability to inflict pain and suffering on those who dare to challenge him or attempt to replace him. It’s not about swift victory; it’s about making a statement, about asserting his dominance through the most agonizing means possible. The cyborgs, meant to be superior replacements, are reduced to helpless victims, their screams serving as a horrifying example of Vader's utter ruthlessness and the depth of his cruelty.

7 Vader's Fight with Kirak Infal'a

Darth Vader (2017-2018) by Charles Soule, art by Giuseppe Camuncoli

One of the most intense and terrifying demonstrations of Darth Vader’s power is in his brutal confrontation with Kirak Infal'a, a powerful Jedi Master who had isolated himself from the Jedi Order years before Order 66. This devastating duel pushes Vader to his limits, forcing him to unleash the full, destructive might of his new dark side powers, as the events of Revenge of the Sith transpired recently in relation to the fight. The clash is less a graceful lightsaber ballet and more a raw, visceral clash of titans, with Vader enduring incredible damage to the point where he appears to be broken and defeated.

He is pushed to his limits, his cybernetic body failing, yet his unwavering will and connection to the dark side allow him to endure and ultimately prevail through sheer brutality.

What makes this encounter truly terrifying is the sheer force and desperation Vader exhibits to bring himself back from the brink of mechanical destruction. He is pushed to his limits, his cybernetic body failing, yet his unwavering will and connection to the dark side allow him to endure and ultimately prevail through sheer brutality. It’s a horrifying testament to his relentless drive to extinguish any remaining light in the galaxy, leaving no doubt as to the terrifying power he commands.