The ONLY Evidence Suggests Who Is Anakin’s Father in Star Wars Canon

The Star Wars universe is filled with mysteries and revelations, but few have sparked as much intrigue as the origin of Anakin Skywalker.

The Marvel comic Darth Vader #25 brings a significant twist to this long-speculated mystery, unveiling Emperor Sheev Palpatine’s direct involvement in Anakin’s creation.

Authored by Charles Soule and illustrated by Giuseppe Camuncoli, this comic redefines the mythos surrounding Darth Vader’s corruption, suggesting that Anakin was not conceived naturally but engineered through the Dark Side of the Force.

Anakin’s Origin in The Phantom Menace

The concept of Anakin’s unique origin is first introduced in The Phantom Menace.

Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn senses an unprecedented “vergence of the Force” in Anakin, a young slave boy on Tatooine.

When asked about his father, Anakin’s mother, Shmi Skywalker, asserts that there was no father, implying a miraculous birth.

Qui-Gon hypothesizes that the Force itself created Anakin, making him the prophesied Chosen One destined to bring balance to the Force.

A Dark Twist in Darth Vader #25

Credit: The Marvel comic Darth Vader #25

However, Darth Vader #25 shifts this narrative dramatically.

The comic reveals that Palpatine used Sith sorcery to manipulate the Midi-chlorians within Shmi, resulting in Anakin’s conception.

This revelation implies that Anakin’s creation was not an act of the Force’s benevolence but a calculated move by the Sith to produce a powerful agent of the Dark Side.

Vader’s Introspective Journey

The comic depicts Vader’s journey as he relives his past in his true Force form—a turbulent mass of dark energy.

During this vision, Vader witnesses the moment of his creation, with Palpatine’s hands performing Sith rituals around his mother, solidifying the Emperor’s role in his birth.

This scene adds depth to Vader’s character, emphasizing the manipulation and deceit that have shaped his destiny.

Roots in Star Wars: Darth Plagueis

The storyline of Anakin’s creation has its roots in the novel Star Wars: Darth Plagueis by James Luceno.

The novel hinted at the Sith’s ambitions to create life through the Dark Side.

Darth Plagueis and his apprentice, Darth Sidious (Palpatine), attempted to manipulate the Force to create a being of ultimate power.

Although their plan was foiled by the Force itself, resulting in Anakin’s creation, Darth Vader #25 clarifies Palpatine’s direct role in this process.

Despite the Disney acquisition initially removing many expanded universe elements from official lore, Darth Vader #25 brings this theory back into the Star Wars canon.

The comic retells scenes where Dooku informs Palpatine of Qui-Gon’s discovery, placing new significance on Anakin’s origins and Palpatine’s reaction.

The Fan Debate: Is Palpatine Really Anakin’s Father?

This revelation has sparked considerable debate among Star Wars fans.

Matt Martin, a member of the Lucasfilm Story Group, clarified the ambiguity:

“It’s part of my job to ensure the stories are aligned with the overall vision of Star Wars. If the intention was to make a direct connection between Palps and Anakin’s birth, I would have had it removed.”

He further explained:

“But this is all in Anakin’s head. Wouldn’t that idea, a concept that Palps hinted at to Anakin himself, be something likely to freak Anakin out? Something that would linger in his mind? ‘Oh crap, what if he made me!’ Doesn’t make it true. It’s all through Anakin’s lens.”

Additionally, he stated:

“But I can tell you definitively, as someone who worked on the comic, that is 100% not the intended implication. I’m not saying there isn’t a logical misinterpretation that they’re coming to. I’m just telling you definitively that it’s not correct.”

It’s part of my job to ensure the stories are aligned with the overall vision of Star Wars. If the intention was to make a direct connection between Palps and Anakin’s birth, I would have had it removed.

— Matt Martin – INACTIVE (@missingwords) December 23, 2019

The Writer’s Perspective

Charles Soule, the writer of the Darth Vader comic, also confirmed:

“I am, in fact, the writer. Matt and I worked closely on this series and this point in particular. I hate explaining stuff in my work in too much detail, but you need to understand the scenario happening here. The Dark Side is not a reliable narrator.”

I am, in fact, the writer. Matt and I worked closely on this series and this point in particular. I hate explaining stuff in my work in too much detail, but you need to understand the scenario happening here.

The Dark Side is not a reliable narrator.

— Charles Soule (@CharlesSoule) December 23, 2019

Conclusion

While Darth Vader #25 provides a profound and controversial addition to Star Wars lore, fundamentally altering the understanding of Anakin Skywalker’s origin, it is crucial to interpret these revelations with caution.

Both Matt Martin and Charles Soule emphasize that the comic’s portrayal should not be taken as a definitive confirmation of Palpatine’s paternity.

Instead, it adds complexity to the Star Wars narrative, encouraging fans to explore the depths of Anakin’s story and the Sith’s influence over his destiny.