The Stormlight Archive Has Finally Set Up The Cosmere’s Darth Vader Equivalent (& It’s Terrifying)

The Stormlight Archive Has Finally Set Up The Cosmere’s Darth Vader Equivalent (& It’s Terrifying)

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Includes SPOILERS for The Stormlight Archive through Wind and Truth!

Brandon Sanderson has set up one of the most exciting and terrifying narrative threads in the Cosmere in the latest Stormlight Archive book, creating his universe’s equivalent to Darth Vader. The Cosmere universe has rapidly expanded in recent years, as various titles like Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive continue to push events forward, with a sci-fi space opera intended as the final destination. Readers have already seen glimpses of the Cosmere’s space age in The Sunlit Man, but it will be fascinating to watch as the expansive universe gradually progresses to that state.

For fans of Star Wars who love to read, Brandon Sanderson is an excellent author to check out. His novels embrace a similarly fascinating mix of fantasy and science fiction elements, with a direct focus on characters and tangible growth arcs for his protagonists. Not to mention, The Stormlight Archive books are connected to other titles through an enormous shared universe with joint mythology, overarching storylines, and connecting characters, which feels a lot like what Disney is trying to accomplish with their multimedia Star Wars stories. If the Cosmere was missing anything, it’s Darth Vader, and now it has it.

Odium’s Dalinar Kholin Blackthorn Variant Explained

Odium Has A Young Blackthorn Version Of Dalinar At His Disposal

The ending of Wind and Truth, the most recent Cosmere book and arguably the most important Cosmere book to date, saw a climactic contest of champions between Dalinar Kholin and the evil god Odium. While Dalinar managed to (sort of) best Odium for the time being, forcing the god to flee Roshar, Dalinar sacrificed himself in the process, leaving the humans of Roshar without their greatest leader. The risk of Odium winning the contest was always going to be Dalinar becoming his general, leading Odium’s armies to conquer the Cosmere. In a sense, Odium got what he wanted.

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While the true Dalinar is dead, Odium plucked a younger version of him out of the Spiritual Realm and connected him to his own will. This younger Dalinar, from the era when he was known as the ruthless warrior, the Blackthorn, has been infused with the terrible crimes he’ll one day commit, ridding him of guilt and feeling. The new Blackthorn is a shade of the real Dalinar who will be used as Odium’s war dog, first on Roshar in The Stormlight Archive arc 2 and then throughout the rest of the Cosmere if he succeeds.

The Blackthorn Will Be The Cosmere’s Darth Vader

The Blackthorn Should Be An Overpowered Menace

Darth Vader surrounded by red Force energy with Anakin Skywalker behind him.

There are some interesting comparison points to make between this new Dalinar variant and Star Wars’ Darth Vader, particularly in how they’re going to be used throughout the Cosmere. There’s a version of Darth Vader whom Star Wars fans will know from comics, books, or video games like Jedi: Fallen Order, who’s essentially an all-powerful, terrifying, force-wielding monster who goes around to various planets committing atrocities and winning over territories on behalf of the emperor.

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Most viewers will know Darth Vader from the films, in which he’s arguably redeemed in The Return of the Jedi through the actions of his son, Luke Skywalker. However, when familiarizing oneself with the horrible Darth Vader that exists between episodes 3 and 4, it’s a bit harder to consider him redeemed, given all that he’s done. This new Dalinar could be an unbelievable character if he’s made to represent something like that: a pure force of darkness feared throughout the Cosmere, working on behalf of a cruel god, doing things readers couldn’t conceive of Dalinar doing.

What The New Dalinar Means For Stormlight Archive Arc 2

The Blackthorn Should Be An Entity Of Destruction In Arc 2

The box set of The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson with lightning as the background
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
Stormlight Archive cover art by Michael Whelan

With the idea of a new Dalinar and comparisons to make with Darth Vader, it wouldn’t be a stretch of the imagination to want him redeemed. After all, his son Adolin is becoming an altruistic hero in his own right on Roshar, and the two of them were left with unresolved feelings after Dalinar’s death. This could make Adolin the perfect opponent for the evil Blackthorn, but that doesn’t mean redemption is the proper conclusion for this variant. Though it’s a common theme in The Stormlight Archive, readers have already seen Dalinar be redeemed.

This new variant should simply just be the Blackthorn, with readers feeling the terror that the original Alethi warlord’s enemies felt all those years ago.

Bringing Dalinar back through the Blackthorn would cheapen the character’s death in Wind and Truth. This new variant should simply just be the Blackthorn, with readers feeling the terror that the original Alethi warlord’s enemies felt all those years ago. This Dalinar shouldn’t become a hero in The Stormlight Archive; he should be a relentless monster to the bitter end, serving as Odium’s agent on Roshar, constantly reminding the heroes of their fallen king and waging war.

The Stormlight Archive Vertical Image from Tor

The Stormlight Archive

The Stormlight Archive is an epic fantasy series by Brandon Sanderson, set on the storm-ravaged world of Roshar. The series follows multiple characters, each with their unique storylines, as they navigate political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and powerful magic. Central to the story are the Knights Radiant, legendary warriors with magical abilities who must return to save their world from impending destruction. The series explores themes of honor, leadership, and the burden of power.

Created by

Brandon Sanderson

Character(s)

Kaladin Stormblessed, Shallan Davar, Dalinar Kholin, Adolin Kholin, Jasnah Kholin, Szeth-son-son-Vallano, Navani Kholin

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