Warning: Contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker #1!Every fan knows how expansive theStar Warsuniverse is, and - weirdly enough - that includesFortnite. This admittedly bizarre assertion was proven true before the release ofStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, when aFortniteevent included an integral piece of information for the movie’s plot that the main canon itself didn’t even include. That is, until now, asStar Warsis finally including thatFortnite-exclusive momentinto the series’ main canon.
In a preview forStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker#1 by Jody Houser and Will Sliney (with “Story By” credit to the writers of the original film), readers are taken back to the events ofEpisode IX, withKylo Ren marching across the galaxy, looking for the Sith Wayfinder to Exegol. Just like in the movie, Kylo Ren finds the Wayfinder, tracks down Emperor Palpatine, and ultimately joins him in his mission to conquer the galaxy (though Kylo Ren has his own hidden agenda). However, there is one notable difference between this comic preview and the movie.
In the film version ofThe Rise of Skywalker, fans are told in the opening crawl thatEmperor Palpatine broadcast a message to the entire galaxy announcing his return from the grave, and his insidious intentions - but, fans never actually heard that message. In this preview, however, Palpatine’s message is brought to readers in the form of narration boxes hanging over Kylo Ren as he searches for the Sith Wayfinder. Since this comic is officialStar Warscanon, that would make this the first time Star Wars fans have officially heard Palpatine’s message.
Star Wars Fans Heard Palpatine’s Message for the First Time… in Fortnite
This Happened During a 2019 Fortnite Star Wars Gala Event Based Around Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker
As bizarre as it may seem,Emperor Palpatine’s message to the galaxy announcing his return was released for the first time not inStar Warscanon, but inFortnite. In a way, that makesFortnite(at least, a corner of it) an honorary part of theStar Warsuniverse. However, for obvious reasons, that doesn’t mean it’s canon, which means Palpatine’s message - as it was heard inFortnite- was never officially a canonical part ofStar Wars. Now (thankfully), that has changed.
This canonStar Warscomic takes the message that was first heard in the 2019Fortnite Star WarsGala Event (which was held as an interactive promo forThe Rise of Skywalker) and actually brings it into the world ofStar Wars. Sure, this message has always technically existed inStar Warscanon, which was revealed inEpisode IX’s opening crawl, but this is the first time fans have actually seen/heard it in canon - even ifFortniteplayers have already heard it.
Star Wars Comics Continue to Flesh Out the Original Films
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is the Latest Comic to Fill in Some Gaps from the Movies
This isn’t the first time theStar Warscomics have fleshed out certain plot points from the original movies, as this comic continues a trend that makes theseStar Warscomic bookretellings/continuations worthwhile for fans. While the story in this comic is the same as the original film, the inclusion of Palpatine’s message alone proves that the comic has more to offer - and this comic isn’t alone. EveryStar Warscomic - film-retelling or otherwise - has something to offer that makes the original movies even better, and this latest example is a brilliant continuation of that trend.
What Scares the Jedi? Star Wars Is Ready to Answer the Question Once and For All
The Jedi are some of the most powerful warriors in the Star Wars galaxy. So, what could they possibly be SCARED of? Star Wars finally has the answer!
More than anything, this preview is a hilarious reminder thatFortnitegave fans an integral piece of information to the plot ofStar Warscanon that the actual canon itself didn’t offer until now - roughly five years later. And so, with the inclusion of Palpatine’s “Day of the Sith” message to the galaxy,Star Warsis finally making one of itsFortniteevents canon.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker #1by Marvel Comics is available June 21, 2025.
