WARNING!! THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR THE LEGACY OF VADER #2Anakin Skywalker’searly life on Tatooine was full of hardships, there is no denying that tragic truth. Anakin and his mother, Shmi Skywalker, were both slaves owned by the Toydarian junker, Watto. For years, the Tatooine slaver has been a polarizing figure within theStar Warsfandom, and it seemed he got his dues earlier this year. Not long ago, aStar Warscomic preview alluded to Watto’s death finally coming at Vader’s hands, but the truth is officially out. And sadly, the truth is disappointing.
In previews forStar Wars: The Legacy of Vader#2 written by Charles Soule, with art by Luke Ross and Derrick Chew, a panel depicted an enraged Darth Vader exacting revenge on his and his mother’s former slaver, killing Watto with the Force. However, with this week’s release of the full issue, the complete context for that panel paints a different story.The image of Watto’s demise at Vader’s hands is revealed to beKylo Ren’s best guessat what happenedto Watto when he learns of his grandfather’s history while visiting Tatooine. It didn’t actually happen.
After Teasing Watto’s Death, Soule Turned the Tables On Us
Watto Still Remains at Large
The Legacy of Vaderfollows Vader’s cyborg servant, Vaneé, taking Kylo Ren to places that held special meaning to Vader that helped craft him into the Sith lord Kylo admires. Their first stop is Tatooine, where Kylo expresses shock and horror upon learning his grandfather was Watto’s slave. Kylo assumes thatDarth Vader returned to Tatooineat some point and killed Watto.However, Vaneé informs him that his assumption is wrong,as Vader had other things to focus on after his rise to power besides taking his revenge on Watto.
The revelation is a disappointment, as Watto is arguably the one character who deserves the full extent of Vader’s rage.The discourse surrounding the truth about the preview panel set the internet ablaze, causing both outcries and celebrations.Netizens took to Xto express their frustrations at the fake-out, with some noting that this is not the first timeStar Warscomic fans were led to believe Watto was dead.The other half of the fandom is celebrating Watto’s seeming invincibility, with some even comparing Watto’s uncanny survival skills to Palpatine’s own.
The Internet’s reaction to the Watto showcases a deep investment in Anakin’s past, cleary. Many felt cheated by the bait-and-switch months after the preview was released, believing Vader’s retribution was a deserved narrative beat. Darth Vader is a complicated and tragic character who commits atrocities on levels that cannot be excused or explained. However,justice for Anakin Skywalkeris somethingThe Legacy of Vadershould not have retconned, as Watto is not redeemable in the slightest.
Not to mention the reveal comes with more questions.Just becauseVader didn’t kill Watto, does that mean Watto isdefinitelystill alive?Or is he in fact on the run because of other enemies? WhileThe Legacy of Vader#2 leaves Watto’s fate intentionally vague, Vaneé states that Anakin’s first owner “still lives.” Whether that specific line implies Watto has actually met his demise is unknown, but Kylo Ren quickly switches gears as soon as he learns the name of Anakin’s original owner, Gardulla the Hutt.
Watto Has Plagued The Skywalker Name Since Before Anakin Was Born
The Junker Met his Match with Qui-Gon Jinn
First introduced inEpisode I: The Phantom Menace, Watto was a part of Anakin’s story from birth. Anakin’s mother, Shmi Skywalker, was one of Watto’s slaves when she gave birth to him, making Anakin Watto’s property as well.From day one, Anakin never had a chance at advancing in life on Tatooine with his status as a slave hanging over his head.This oppression instilled a deep sense of injustice in Anakin, and a yearning for freedom far away from Tatooine.Qui-Gon Jinn’s arrivalwas not only Anakin’s salvation, but a way for Shmi to ensure that her son had a shot at the greatness she knew he was destined for.
In another one of Charles Soule’sStar Warscomics,Obi-Wan and Anakin, a twelve-year-old Anakin expresses doubt about wanting to remain in the Jedi Order to Obi-Wan.When Obi-Wan asks Anakinwhy he feels that way, Anakin recounts that he was nothing but a slave on a desert planet who saw a “magic man with a sword made of light” and a starship that could take him far away. As he was a child with little to no options in life, the decision to go with Qui-Gon was essentially solidified the moment Qui-Gon found Anakin.
As a despicable human trafficker and slave owner, Watto was reluctant to enter into any talks aboutAnakin’s freedom with Qui-Gon.However, a negotiation between Jedi and slaver wasn’t necessary, as Anakin earned his own freedom by winning the Boonta Eve Classic podrace.Though this event set Anakin free to leave with the Jedi, the scars of his past, including the pain of leaving his mother behind,would go on to profoundly shape Anakin and contribute to his eventual fall.
Kylo Ren Wants To Erase The Past - All Of It
This Includes His Grandfather’s Past
Vaneé recounts the pivotal momentin young Anakin’s life to Kylo Ren inThe Legacy of Vader#2, but Kylo responds with rage and draws his lightsaber across Anakin’s name on the monument honoring the winners of the race.Kylo erasing his grandfather’s name from a positive part of Anakin’s past illustrates his true lack of understanding.While on a journey to learn quite literally about the legacy of Vader, Kylo Ren has yet to do anything but seek to destroy anything related to Vader and Anakin.
Star Wars Tricked Us All With One of Darth Vader’s Recent Iconic Kills
Despite what we were all led to believe, there’s actually more to one of Darth Vader’s most recently revealed murders in the Star Wars timeline.
Kylo Ren fundamentally misunderstands Darth Vader,as much as he claims idolizes him, because he fundamentally misunderstands who Vader was when he was Anakin. Vaneé tells Kylo that Vader’s strength came from pain, and that Anakin’s life was nothing but pain, which Kylo believes.However, Anakin Skywalker - though filled with inner turmoil - was defined by much more than just his pain or past. He had the capacity to care and love greatly, which made him vulnerable to Palpatine’s manipulation.
The question of Watto’s ultimate fate remains open, leaving room for future storytelling, perhaps even inThe Legacy of Vader.As Vaneé’s statement about Watto’s survival is ambiguous, it allows for speculation and further interaction among the fandom.From a storytelling perspective, leaving the truth of Watto’s life untold keeps the character relevant. If Watto were to pop up in future comics, it will be interesting to see how fans react yet again.
