Summary

• In the Star Wars universe, the creation of Anakin Skywalker has long been a topic of debate and speculation, described as a "virgin birth" due to the lack of a biological father
• The idea that he was conceived through the manipulation of the Dark Side of the Force by Emperor Palpatine was first hinted at in the Darth Plagueis novel by James Luceno, and seemingly confirmed in the Darth Vader #25 comic by Charles Soule and Giuseppe Camuncoli.
• However, Lucasfilm has been quick to dismiss the conclusion that Palpatine is Anakin's father, suggesting Anakin suspects or fears the idea himself.

The mystery of Anakin Skywalker’s birth has seemingly been solved, confirming Sheev Palpatine's true role in his mother's pregnancy, and changing the Star Wars mythology behind the corruption of Darth Vader forever. Or at the very least, confirming Anakin also believes a decades-old theory about his true father's identity.

The revelation is offered in the pages of Marvel's canonical Darth Vader #25, proving one long-held fan theory mostly true in its claims that Anakin Skywalker was designed, or engineered (not conceived naturally). It may seem strange that Anakin's parentage didn't become the driving mystery of the Star Wars prequels, when Qui-Gon Jinn sensed the greatest “vergence of the Force” he had ever encountered, and asked the obvious question: "Who is this boy’s father?" Assuming such a connection to the Force could only be explained through genetics (Luke would later refer to the “mighty Skywalker blood” in Ben Solo, too), Qui-Gon didn't get the answer he was looking for.

The Star Wars Prequels Claim Anakin Was A 'Virgin Birth'

Any other evidence or EU theory was rendered 'Legend' by Disney's acquisition

According to Shmi Skywalker, “There was no father. I carried him, I gave birth, I raised him, I can't explain what happened.” Even in the world of Star Wars, a cosmic variation on a "virgin birth" is a major development, and Qui-Gon knew to bring the boy back to the cradle of the Jedi. He believed the boy was exactly who the Jedi had been waiting for. Not because he was created without a father, but because his 'father' was the Force itself. Apparently, he wasn't entirely wrong.

This step in the mystery of Anakin’s birth is sure to be controversial, even difficult for some Star Wars fans, since it relies upon the intervention of Midi-chlorians. But whether the Force is an ‘energy field’ connecting all life forms, or the effect of microscopic beings connecting all life forms, the result is the same. Qui-Gon judged the only way Anakin could possess his concentration of Midi-chlorians was if they created him themselves, inside Shmi Skywalker’s womb. Making Anakin the Chosen One, prophesied to balance the Force.

Qui-Gon Believed The Force Created Anakin in Shmi Skywalker

Did The Force Create Anakin Itself, or Was It Manipulated To Create Him?

That was Qui-Gon’s theory, at least, and it was left as the only explanation in the Star Wars movies (before the mystery was largely sidelined). Theories and potential explanations arose in expanded universe novels, even linking Anakin’s conception to the Sith Lords, instead of the Midi-chlorians alone. But now that the truth has been shown, it appears Qui-Gon was just as deceived as the rest of the Jedi Council.

The Midi-chlorians may have been the tool used to create Anakin Skywalker, but it wasn’t entirely their idea. Anakin Skywalker was created by manipulating the Dark Side of the Force, as many suspected, but the identity of his ‘father’ put forward in the new canon guarantees no fan will ever see the Star Wars saga the same way again.

Emperor Palpatine is Revealed To Be Anakin Skywalker's Real 'Father'

Darth Vader #25 (2018) by Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli

Yes, Star Wars fans, Darth Vader #25 confirms Anakin Skywalker was the result of Dark Side/Midi-chlorian manipulation inside of Shmi Skywalker’s womb, performed personally by Emperor Palpatine. And for those who might wonder how Anakin could ever learn such an Earth-shattering truth, without suspicion of it being further manipulation by his Sith Master, the circumstances of the story add further evidence.

Writer Charles Soule and artist Giuseppe Camuncoli's Vader series makes multiple exciting changes to the Star Wars canon, explaining that Vader (shown in his true Force form as a roiling figure of dark energy) beholds his pregnant mother... with Palpatine’s arms encircling her, hands curled in Sith sorcery, forming a swirl of energy inside of her that would one day emerge as Anakin. Not exactly subtle, and confirming a theory held by fans (and the Expanded Universe novels) for years.

Darth Plagueis & Palpatine Created Their Sith 'Chosen One' After All?

Originally teased in Star Wars: Darth Plageuis (2012) by James Luceno

From the moment Chancellor Palpatine told Anakin about the tale of Darth Plagueis the Wise and his mastery over life and death, fans have theorized that George Lucas was hinting at something more than fairy tales. The story of the Sith Lord who learned to manipulate Midi-chlorians to create life, and the Apprentice who killed him in his sleep, they speculate, had to be more than it seemed.

While Anakin heard he could keep his wife alive through the Dark Side, viewers heard Sidious confirming he had killed his master after learning that same power over life itself. The knowing looks at Anakin are all the evidence needed, and the full story laid out in the Darth Plagueis novel by James Luceno added fuel to the fire. Some details were left vague, but the plan was clear: Darth Plagueis and Darth Sidious reached out through the Force to try to create a child they could use as an ultimate weapon. Anakin being one of them.

But the Midi-chlorians, sensing their attempt, foiled their plans... creating a child that would bring about the end of the Sith, instead. Of course, that was before Disney bought Lucasfilm and wiped Plagueis from canon, along with all other novels (until they can be worked back into the new Star Wars canon, anyway). The same attempt to bring the story of Darth Plagueis back into canon could be at work here, even if the comic shows Palpatine playing a far more personal role in the manipulation of Midi-chlorians to create Anakin.

In fact, the age from Darth Plagueis in which Count Dooku informs Palpatine of Qui-Gon's discovery reads completely different in this new context:

"Qui-Gon returned from Tatooine with a former slave boy. According to the boy's mother, the boy had no father... Perhaps conceived by the Force. As Qui-Gon believes."

Palpatine's head snapped back... "Does this have something to do with the prophecy you spoke of?"

"Everything. Qui-Gon believes that the boy-Anakin is his name-stands at the center of a vergence in the Force, and believes further that his finding him was the will of the Force. Blood tests were apparently performed, and the boy's concentration of midi-chlorians is unprecedented."

"What is known about this Anakin?"

"Very little, except for the fact that he was born into slavery nine years ago and was, until recently, along with his mother, the property of Gardulla the Hutt, then a Toydarian junk dealer." Dooku smirked. "Also that he won the Boonta Eve Classic Podrace."

Palpatine had stopped listening.

Nine years old... Conceived by the Force... Is it possible...

The meaning of the age had been plain when it was published, and paired with the obvious hints from George Lucas himself, it seemed that 'Palpatine created Anakin' was intended to be at least one theory for fans to hold as possible. Now this canonical comic has the Force itself pushing forward that theory -- even if the creators and Lucasfilm are minimizing the book's meaning.

Star Wars Claims 'Palpatine is Anakin's Father' Is Still A Theory (Somehow)

Even risking confirming the theory is false, despite George Lucas' original ideas

Not long after the comic was released, and readers understandably took Palpatine's sorcery inside of Shmi Skywalker's womb as a sign that he played a role in Anakin's creation, Lucasfilm was quick to dismiss the conclusion. Claiming the scene is not a clarification of new canon (which, even if confirmed, remains vague), the Lucasfilm Story Group's Matt Martin and the book's author Charles Soule took to Twitter to debunk the vision:

Soule's point is certainly a fair one, but in the interest of placing the scene "in context," Darth Vader's stroll through the Force delivers countless other visions and memories. From making the most iconic Phantom Menace poster into an in-canon nightmare, to re-living key events from his life as depicted in the film, overlaid with meaningful dialogue from elsewhere. The Force is symbolic, but it still depicts truths or lessons that reflect or inform Vader's actual, witnessed story.

Ironically, the idea that the Dark Side of the Force (unreliable narrator or not) would suggest Palpatine's sorcery created Anakin speaks volumes. If it's an outright deception, then it's unique in the story. But if it really is intended to reflect Anakin's own doubts or suspicions, then those Star Wars fans who the theory should still feel bolstered. At the very least, Lucasfilm confirms Anakin drew the same conclusions about being created by Darth Plageuis and his apprentice, Emperor Palpatine.

Until now, it was still just rumor and fan theory that suggested Darth Sidious had been the closest thing to a father Anakin Skywalker had, making Palpatine and Vader a father and son. Now this canonical comic has seemingly confirmed he did the job personally (perhaps the only attempt that worked?), but what this means for the bloodline which followed, and Palpatine's connection to Luke, Leia, or Ben Solo is for each fan to consider.

Darth Vader #25 is available from Marvel Comics.