8 Star Wars Questions That Always Confused You

2. Why Did Vader Listen To Tarkin?

star wars questions
Lucasfilm

Given that Darth Vader was, y'know, a Dark Lord of the Sith, it probably seems a little weird in retrospect that he spent the vast majority of 1977's Star Wars being bossed around by Peter Cushing's Grand Moff Tarkin. No one should be getting in between Vader and a good Force choking (*ahem*), but the Grand Moff is able to do just that in the meeting aboard the Death Star.

The Clone Wars did a good job of establishing Anakin Skywalker's respect for Tarkin while he was an officer in the Republic, but their relationship was taken to a whole other level following Order 66, as was revealed in Dark Lord of the Sith #18.

The Charles Soule comic reveals how Tarkin tested Vader before A New Hope to see if he could ever be bested in combat. Tarkin is able to outthink Vader, resulting in a stalemate once he Force chokes the Moff, and that's how the two become the bestest friends ever (or at least evil-doers who harbour a begrudging respect for the other).

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Content Producer/Presenter

Resident movie guy at WhatCulture who used to be Comics Editor. Thinks John Carpenter is the best. Likes Hellboy a lot. Can usually be found talking about Dad Movies on his Twitter at @EwanRuinsThings.