Star Wars fans are set to dive back into the tumultuous sequel trilogy era as the galaxy’s most conflicted anti-hero, Kylo Ren, takes the spotlight in a new sequel to The Last Jedi.
This December marks five years since Disney concluded its sequel trilogy with Star Wars: Episode IX–The Rise of Skywalker (2019). Directed by J.J. Abrams, who also brought us Star Wars: Episode VII–The Force Awakens (2015), the final chapter didn’t hit the mark for everyone, wrapping up a trilogy that divided the fandom like never before. Disney’s task of satisfying a fanbase as passionate as Star Wars was always going to be tough, but the lack of cohesive direction left many feeling let down.
While The Force Awakens was met with general praise, it was Rian Johnson’s Star Wars: Episode VII–The Last Jedi that truly shook the galaxy. From shocking plot twists like the killing of Supreme Leader Snoke (Andy Serkis) to divisive subplots like Finn’s (John Boyega) adventure to Canto Bight with Rose Tico (Kelly Marie Tran), The Last Jedi has been dissected and debated ever since.
In the aftermath of the sequel trilogy, Lucasfilm has shifted its focus to television, with The Mandalorian leading the charge for live-action Star Wars on Disney+. Creatively helmed by Jon Favreau and Dave Filoni, the series revived the Star Wars brand, but not all projects have been as successful.
Shows like Ahsoka and The Acolyte have received a more mixed reception, with the latter facing such intense backlash that Lucasfilm canceled it altogether, claiming low viewership. As the studio continues to explore the New Republic era with upcoming projects like Skeleton Crew and Ahsoka Season 2, Kylo Ren’s story is getting a new chapter in the form of a comic series.
Kylo Ren, played by Adam Driver, was introduced as the ruthless Supreme Leader of the First Order in the sequel trilogy, working alongside General Hux (Domhnall Gleeson) to crush the Resistance. His story arc took him from the dark side back to the light, as Ben Solo helped Rey (Daisy Ridley) defeat a resurrected Emperor Palpatine. But Kylo Ren’s journey was far from straightforward, and now, Star Wars is aiming to expand upon his character’s depth with “Star Wars: The Legacy of Vader”.
The new comic, written by Star Wars veteran Charles Soule with art by Luke Ross, delves into Kylo Ren’s fascination with his grandfather, Darth Vader, AKA Anakin Skywalker. As StarWars.com reports: “Written by Charles Soule, who previously penned “The Rise of Kylo Ren” and “Darth Vader – Dark Lord of the Sith,” the series begins with Kylo’s descent into Vader’s castle on Mustafar, followed by a journey to the sands of Tatooine.”
Set between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, “The Legacy of Vader” follows Star Wars’ trend of using tie-in media to provide crucial backstories and expand on events from the films. Soule shared more about this with StarWars.com:
“When fans talk to me about my Star Wars work, two of my Marvel comic runs come up more than almost anything else: my 2017 run on Darth Vader with Giuseppe Camuncoli and my 2019 series *The Rise of Kylo Ren* with Will Sliney. This new series is not just a combination of those two books, but also a chance to explore an extremely rich section of the timeline that’s almost entirely open: Kylo Ren’s time as Supreme Leader of the First Order.”
The series picks up following Kylo Ren’s most pivotal moments—his murder of Han Solo, his complex relationship with Rey, and the death of Supreme Leader Snoke. According to Soule, Kylo Ren is left “deeply unstable, angry, frustrated… dangerous.” In his search for meaning, Ren turns to the only source of guidance he believes he has left: his grandfather’s dark legacy as Darth Vader. “He’s looking for any form of guidance he can get—even if he won’t admit it,” Soule added.
The last time we saw Kylo Ren on screen was in The Rise of Skywalker, where he sacrificed himself on Exegol after battling the Knights of Ren and Emperor Palpatine. His love for Rey was confirmed, but his death left fans with mixed feelings. Just as the entire sequel trilogy divided the fandom, Kylo’s end was met with both praise and criticism. Now, “The Legacy of Vader” is poised to change how fans view Kylo Ren’s arc in The Rise of Skywalker.
While Kylo’s story will continue in the pages of comic books, Rey Skywalker is set to make her return to the big screen. Directed by Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, the upcoming Star Wars movie will see Rey attempting to rebuild the Jedi Order.
The film was announced at last year’s Star Wars Celebration by Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy, alongside two other projects from James Mangold and Dave Filoni. While details are scarce, Daisy Ridley has confirmed that Rey will be following in Luke Skywalker’s footsteps—though her approach may differ greatly from that of her former mentor.
“Star Wars: The Legacy of Vader #1” will be available on February 5, 2025.
How do you feel about the return of Kylo Ren? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!