This post contains a PREVIEW for Marvel’s Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1It’s already so evident thatStar Warsis launching one of its best spin-off series of all time. In most cases, the biggest stories in the galaxy far, far away are usually seen on screen, either as a movie or television series. However, one of Kylo Ren’s most important stories is set to be told on the page from Marvel Comics.
Set between the events ofThe Last JediandThe Rise of Skywalker, Marvel is releasing the canonical seriesLegacy of Vaderby Charles Soule and Luke Ross.Starring Kylo Ren in the aftermath of his murder of Supreme Leader Snoke, the grandson of Darth Vader must now adjust to his new reign while also facing both his own past and his grandfather’s.As such, the preview pages forLegacy of Vaderalone prove this new series will be one ofStar Wars’best stories, revealing one of the most crucial periods in Kylo Ren’s life.
Star Wars' New Legacy of Vader Series Will Pick Up Right Where The Last Jedi Left Off
Kylo Ren Embracing His New Role As Supreme Leader
As seen in the preview fromLegacy of Vader #1released by Marvel Comics, Kylo Ren returns toThe Finalizerafter his “duel” with Luke Skywalker’s Force projection and the Resistance’s escape from Crait as seen at the end ofThe Last Jedi. Assembling his forces and key leaders of the First Order military, Kylo uses the Force to lift Snoke’s remains high into the air for all to see.He then claims that the former Supreme Leader was slain by the Resistance (rather than Kylo himself).
Declaring himself the First Order’s brand-new Supreme Leader, Kylo promises to lead his new regime to glory.As such, this epically dark opening promises a major year in store for Kylo Ren ahead of his journey to Exegoland the discovery ofthe resurrected Emperor Palpatine at the beginning ofRise of Skywalker. As such, it’s going to be fascinating to see how Kylo Ren embraces this abundance of power at his disposal, something the sequel trilogy of films very much glossed over.
Kylo Ren Finishing What Vader Started Is The Story I’ve Been Waiting YEARS To See
Uncovering His Grandfather’s Legacy While Ruling The Galaxy
It’s also been teased that Kylo Ren won’t simply sit on a throne and command the First Order to claim the galaxy in the wake of the Resistance’s defeat and Starkiller Base’s destruction of the New Republic’s Hosnian system.Instead, Marvel’sLegacy of Vaderwill indeed live up to the series' name with Kylo visiting key places from Vader’s past, seeking to truly understand the Dark Lord who came before him. Thanks to a teaser image, it’s already been confirmed that Kylo Ren will be visiting Tatooine, the desert homeworld of his grandfather and uncle.
Not only that,it’s also been confirmed that Darth Vader killed Watto, the Toydarian junk dealer who once owned Anakin Skywalker and his mother as slaves during one of the Sith lord’s many returns to Tattooine as a Sith Lord. To that end, Kylo Ren is likely being positioned to discover key elements of Vader’s past, comparing them to his own as he strives to kill the past and let it die, just like he told Rey to do at the end ofThe Last Jedi.
At the same time,Kylo Ren literally being set up to walk in the footsteps of his grandfather feels like it will be the epitome of his desire to “finish what Vader started”. Likewise, finally getting to see Kylo evolve as the First Order’s new ruler during the single year before the events ofThe Rise of Skywalkermeans a core chapter of his dark side journey will finally be told. After all, Ben Solo’s eventual redemption happens inThe Rise of Skywalker, turning back to the light and giving his life to save Rey at the end of the final Skywalker saga movie.
Kylo Ren Attempting To “Destroy The Past” Is Going To Be Fascinating
The Series Promises Major Vader and Kylo Reveals
All the promotion images and previews forLegacy of Vaderreleased thus far look to simply be the tip of the iceberg. Without a doubt, the new series promises to reveal some critical new reveals both for Darth Vader and Kylo Ren, who’s presumably set to uncover parts of his grandfather’s story that have never been revealed before in the establishedStar Warscanon.Although Vader killing the alien who once owned his mother and himself as a boy is a huge moment, the fact that it’s been used to promote this new series suggests the best is still to come.
Darth Vader vs Kylo Ren: Star Wars Already Knows the Biggest Difference Between the Sith Lords
Ahead of Star Wars' all-new era, the one major difference between Darth Vader and Kylo Ren is finally explained, revealing hidden truths about both.
Additionally, the preview pages showing how Kylo Ren framed Snoke’s death to the rest of the First Order afterThe Lastis also a pretty cool reveal. Likewise, it’s been confirmed for some time via concept art and deleted scenes thatKylo Ren’s journey to Mustafar and uncovering the Sith wayfinderat the beginning ofThe Rise of Skywalkerwas originally meant to be a much longer sequence.With any luck, perhaps elements of that journey that didn’t make it to the screen will finally become canon with this newStar Warsseries.
Legacy of Vader Couldn’t Have A Better Creative Team
Charles Soule Is One of Star Wars' BEST Authors
It’s also very exciting thatLegacy of Vaderis coming from Charles Soule, one of Lucasfilm’s bestStar Warswriters. Soule has quite an impressive track record, having written multiple High Republic novels and several comic series. This notably includes some of the best Darth Vader and Kylo Ren stories of all time.
Not only did Soule just finish Marvel’s flagshipStar Warsrun set betweenEmpire Strikes BackandReturn of the Jedi, but he also wrote the immensely popular 2017Darth Vaderseries set in the immediate aftermath ofRevenge of the Sithcovering Vader’s earliest days as a Sith Lord. He also wrote 2019’sRise of Kylo Renminiseries,showing Ben Solo’s corruption to the dark side by Snokeand transformation into Kylo Ren following the destruction of Luke’s Jedi academy.As such, there truly is no one better to writeLegacy of Vader, as Soule has proven that he critically understands both grandfather and grandson incredibly well.
Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1is on sale February 5th from Marvel Comics.
Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader
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.
Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
The son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, Ben was manipulated by Palpatine through the Force for most of his life, influenced toward the dark side of the Force. A misstep by Luke Skywalker ultimately left Ben feeling he had no choice but to embrace the dark side, and he became Kylo Ren, a key figure in the First Order. Kylo Ren’s heart remained deeply divided, however, even after he ascended to become Supreme Leader of the First Order. He was ultimately redeemed by Rey, with whom he shared a remarkable Force bond, and by the love of his parents.
