[Jeritron]

Originally Posted by thedamndest To cite Empire as Vader's top work of evil would be incorrect. That honor would have to go to Episode III or IV. Empire is the better film, but in Episode III he kills a bunch of unarmed kids and in Episode IV he kills Obi-Wan and orders the destruction of an entire planet. In Episode V, he cuts off Luke's hand. .

I would disagree. The way he was built up as a villain in Empire exceeded anything in Episode IV.
Tarkin orders the planet destroyed. Vader just watches. For the most part Vader is pretty obedient to Tarkin Episode IV, since he accepts that the Death Star is under his jurusdiction.
Vader obeys Tarkin, and later obeys the Emperor, but in Empire Strikes Back we get to see what kind of a person Darth is when he's in total control.

In Empire he is built up as a total badass who continually kills his officers for making mistakes. They build him up as totally heartless and a lying sack, but having him take advantage of his power. He continues to alter the deal with Lando in a frustratingly unfair manner, but what's Lando going to do.
He even hints at a willingness to overthrow his master.

I feel as though Vader's villainy is more personal in Empire. He's less of a masked marauder and you see more into his motivations and psyche. Even if he only torments and kills a handful of people, the way in which he does it reveals how evil this guy is. He walks a line between Godliness and cowardice.