Star Wars: 20 Utterly Unexpected Images Of Darth Vader

In the history of movie characters (and not just villains), one character stands head and broad shoulders above all other pretenders in the hierarchy of importance. Designed with perfection and proving that black goes with just about everything, Darth Vader exploded onto screens and demanded attention, fear and adoration in a way that even ignored every wrong step George Lucas took on his Star Wars journey. The intergalactic big bad was wonderfully fire proof, and it seems likely that the upcoming trilogy will in some way include Anakin Skywalker - even if the rumours are resisted with stoic stubbornness for now. In truth, JJ Abrams would be mad not to include Vader: he has gone beyond all traditional boundaries to become a cultural phenomenon on his own terms. He's a symbol for protest, an unlikely sales agent and even a politician, and his popularity will continue to grow as long as his design remains so iconic. What follows is significant proof, if ever it were needed, that the most enduring villain in the history of cinema has transcended all cinematic limitations, and not in the way you might expect in all cases. You won't believe how many times he's been prostituted for other people's causes...

A grotesque carving on the exterior of the Washington National Cathedral, featuring a distinctly familiar figure.