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Now, some may pick holes in my argument, but I think there's enough evidence to suggest that Malekith and Darth Vader are the same person.
A common story exists for both:
Initially good, becomes evil under the influence of a powerful yet deceitful patron. He instigates the deaths of his former peers in a bid for power. Becomes stronger, yet pride leads to his downfall. He is near fatally burnt and maimed, but survives after being interred in a suit of armour. Continues his vendetta against his former kind.

See? All Malekith needs now are his hidden children; a spoilt elf maiden adopted by a low ranking prince and an ignorant son who spends his days gazing over the fields of Ellyrion at the twin moons, dreaming of becoming a dragon rider. Malekith is otherwise employed overseeing the construction of an even bigger black ark, with only one weakness; an unprotected murder hole that intersects the magical bindings of the ship. If somone with enough skill could fly past and send a directed bolt of magic down the shaft... well, who knows?

Two problems with your theory:

1. Malekith takes orders from NO ONE. He's not the lackey of some Emperor and no Grand Moff is powerful enough to get him to back off and not kill someone.

2. Vader doesn't have a potentially incestuous relationship with his mother.

He doesn't take orders explicitly, but he can be manipulated by Morathi.
And while Anakin didn't have that kind of relationship with his mother, he was still a bit of a mummy's boy.

As I said, there are some holes, but the similarities are striking. The burning and the armour? Seriously, that blew my mind...

I see where you're going with this, and it's an interesting comparison, but...

Darth Vader actually succeeded at something once in a while, though, right? I feel like Malekith has been failing at everything for something like 4000 years.

Indeed. Poor dude... I have to say, on the list of kickarse Druchii, he does rank a little low; he's got the whole "Master of Evil" thing going on, but he's continually thwarted by the pretty-boys in Ulthuan. Slightly off topic, but if Darkblade was the Witch King, with Menghil Manhide as his lieutenant, I think the Dark Elves might manage to get something over the High Elves.

New thought! Tyrion is often said to be Aenarion reborn. Or perhaps even Malekith...? In a titanic duel, Malekith cuts off Tyrion's arm.
"I'll never join you!"
"Tyrion...(rasping breath)... I am your father."

I fear I may be enjoying this a little too much...

If you really think about it, how there are tons of villians that fit that description.

Started out good, tempted by XXXx (be it another, power, dark forces) turns evil, and in some situations even becomes good again...

Voldemort for instance. Is initially good, albeit has a mean streak, thirsts for more power, becomes afraid of losing that power, it consumes him and he becomes evil!

Im sure i could think of more if i tried!

Saruman is an obvious one. It's the time-old struggle between good and evil; when you really look into these stories, although many of them seem so different, they deal with universal themes and so are in essence all the same. All one big happy cliché. Ah well.

Pretty sure I've read about a study of this "basic story template" somewhere... any ideas?

I wouldn't say that Malekith has been failing continously for 4000 years. He has prosected no less than three major wars against the High Elves (probably more, now that I think about it) that came within a hair of suceeding. Two failed only because of author's fiat/deus ex machina endings where he was 'magically' beaten... with spells unavailable for use in game.

He took the survivors of the first war and carved a new empire out of total wilderness that has invaded Ulathan (sp?) several times, and almost suceeded. That alone is a worthwhile sucess. The High Elves have only invaded Naggarond once, and failed dismally, but no one claims the High Elves have failed continuously because of it.

His raiders are the terror of the seas of his world. His empire has a truly global impact, unlike the so-called 'Empire' of the old world. So he's a failure?

The one thing he's really failed at, the conquest of Ulathan, he's only failed because GW wants to keep the High Elves in play.

I thought Ahriman was Darth Vader...(yeah, it was me that started the thread about that ages ago).

[quote=Rickardd0
See? All Malekith needs now are his hidden children; a spoilt elf maiden adopted by a low ranking prince and an ignorant son who spends his days gazing over the fields of Ellyrion at the twin moons, dreaming of becoming a dragon rider. Malekith is otherwise employed overseeing the construction of an even bigger black ark, with only one weakness; an unprotected murder hole that intersects the magical bindings of the ship. If somone with enough skill could fly past and send a directed bolt of magic down the shaft... well, who knows?

@Kiwidru: Nice!

@Vulcan: I'm not saying it isn't GW's fault he keeps failing. But when your list of successes has a whole lot of "almost" and "nearly" in it, you're not doing too hot...

People saying Malekith is a failure because he hasn't destroyed Ulthuan are dumb.

Yes, lets have him destroy the High Elves, Games Workshop would certainly allow this. No doubt....really, go ahead.

Malekith is terribly successful, just because he hasn't destroyed Ulthuan (which will never happen) doesn't mean he didn't ravage the land a gakload.

Red_Zeke wrote:
@Vulcan: I'm not saying it isn't GW's fault he keeps failing. But when your list of successes has a whole lot of "almost" and "nearly" in it, you're not doing too hot...

Thanquol's fluff in the Skaven book specifically says otherwise(in Thanquol's case, anyway).

Surprised at the responses... it does seem like there are those who venerate the original Dark Elf and those who don't. A Marmite elf then.
I have to say, I like Malekith and think he's a great character, but his model is showing it's age; has that retro look to it. Big head, big hands, scrawny body; I think it's high time he was resculpted. The White Dwarf, although a promotional model really, has been through 3 versions to my knowledge in 6 years. Let's give the Elves a time in the limelight... or the Tomb Kings, for that matter...

On that note, although it isn't fantasy related, Dark Eldar?! Argh! I would've started a Dark Eldar army so long ago, but they get shunted aside by the likes of the Boltgun Band and the Ork Massiv. When are GW gonna sort them out?

I don't think there's still good on Malekith :\

Erasoketa wrote:I don't think there's still good on Malekith :\

Yeah, he is an eternally pissed off incestuous mama's boy....

Is everyone obsessed with incest? Gor blimey... that's only a maybe! How about the megalomaniac tendencies, the black dragons, the large swords and spiky helmets?

I like this theory, it amuses my crossover inner geek fan immensely.