When Exactly Did Darth Vader Learn Luke Skywalker Was His Son?

Summary

• Darth Vader learns Luke Skywalker is his son shortly after A New Hope in canon and Legends comics.
• In canon, the reveal occurs in Marvel's Star Wars #6, where Vader vows to make Luke join him.
• In Legends, Vader's discovery is shown in Marvel's Star Wars #35, later expanded in Star Wars: Vader’s Quest.

Darth Vader revealing himself as Luke Skywalker's father is one of the best plot twists in cinema, but when did the Sith Lord learn that the Rebel pilot is his son in the Star Wars saga? As is often the case, there is a different answer in each Star Wars timeline, with Legends telling the story in two properties and canon showing it in a single one. In both cases, Vader’s discovery of Luke's identity happens shortly after the events of A New Hope.

While Darth Vader’s obsession with Luke Skywalker in The Empire Strikes Back is seemingly due to the latter’s destruction of the Death Star battle station, his revelation to Luke and brief dialogue with Emperor Palpatine recontextualizes his pursuit. Darth Vader seeks to overthrow Palpatine in classic Sith fashion with his son at his side, having fallen to the dark side of the Force. Canon and Legends comics reveal precisely when Darth Vader found this sinister new purpose following the Empire’s defeat at the Battle of Yavin.

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When Did Darth Vader Learn Luke Was His Son In Canon?

In the post-2014 canon universe, the story that reveals Darth Vader discovering Luke Skywalker’s identity is issue 6 of 2015’s Star Wars comics by Marvel, set shortly after A New Hope. In this comic issue, Darth Vader is informed by Boba Fett that the Rebel pilot who destroyed the Death Star is named Luke Skywalker, who Vader immediately recognizes as his son. The scene is repeated in issue 6 of 2015’s Darth Vader comics, with Vader vowing, “He will be mine. It will all be mine.”

Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

Created By George Lucas Cast Bob Anderson, Hayden Christensen, James Earl Jones, Matt Lanter, Matt Lucas, Jake Lloyd, David Prowse, Sebastian Shaw First Appearance Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Died Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi Franchise Star Wars Race Human

Conceived by the will of the Force itself, Anakin Skywalker was the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring the Force into balance. Anakin struggled to balance competing attachments to the Jedi Order and his wife Padmé Amidala, and ultimately fell to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader. For years he served as Palpatine's right hand man, but he was ultimately redeemed by the faith of his son, Luke Skywalker. Now a Force Ghost, Anakin continues to act as an agent of balance.

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When Did Darth Vader Learn Luke Was His Son In Legends?

The very first Star Wars property to show Darth Vader discovering his son's identity is issue 35 of Marvel’s Legends-era Star Wars comics, which similarly takes place less than a year after A New Hope. Vader learns that the famous Rebel pilot is named Luke, and although he seems almost dismissive of the name, he sets a plan in motion that nearly has him clash with Luke in a lightsaber duel. Retroactively, Vader’s reaction is fitting since another Legends property adds to Darth Vader’s discovery.

Star Wars: Vader’s Quest completes the story of how Darth Vader discovers the identity of Luke Skywalker and their relationship. Darth Vader learns the name in the opening scene while torturing a Rebel, though in this case, he only learns Luke’s surname of Skywalker, making the Sith Lord’s discovery in the classic Marvel series Luke’s first name. Vader’s Quest takes place before Star Wars #35 and is set two months after A New Hope, giving it the most specific answer to when Darth Vader learned that Luke Skywalker is his son in the Star Wars franchise.