Kylo Renhad a complicated life to say the least, gaining purpose by emulating his Sith grandfather,Darth Vader. ThroughoutStar Wars' sequel trilogy, he is shown as being driven to complete his perceived notion of his grandfather’s legacy, to the point of obsession.However, a new comic shows that Vader’s legacy was always destined to surpass that of his grandson and imitator.
Star Wars: Legacy of Vader#1- by Charles Soule, Luke Ross, Nolan Woodard and Joe Caramagna - was released on February 5 and reveals the beginning of Kylo Ren’s journey tolearn more about Darth Vader.
InLegacy of Vader, Kylo Ren is enraged to realize that despite killing Snoke, he still doesn’t feel free from the crushing weight of his family’s legacy. In desperation, he turns his attention to Darth Vader, whose helmet he keeps as a symbol of the legacy he had, up until this point, chosen to embody. Determined to “let the past die,“Kylo Ren sets out to destroy anything that represents his grandfather’s past, as well as his own.
Star Wars: 10 Things Only Comic Books Fans Know About Kylo Ren
Thanks to the Star Wars comic books, there’s a lot more to discover about Kylo Ren than what fans saw on the big screen.
Kylo Ren Tried to Destroy Darth Vader’s Past, Only to Fall Under Its Shadow
Vader Drew On the Past for Power, But Kylo Ren Is Desperate to Escape It
InLegacy of Vader#1, Kylo Ren’s unbridled rage sets him on the path to Mustafar, intending to burn Darth Vader’s stronghold to ashes in his fury.He believes that anything that Vader accomplished or created is no longer relevant and needs to be eliminated in order for his own reign to succeed.However, upon reaching Mustafar,Kylo is met by Vaneé- a cyborg who used to serve Darth Vader. Kylo brandishes his lightsaber at Vaneé and promises to kill him, but Vaneé manages to stall Kylo by asking what exactly he wishes to accomplish.
Vaneé’s question is met with the same answer Kylo Ren gave Rey - the past must die. However, Vaneé is quick to admonish Kylo and tell him that he is nothing like his grandfather. Vader, for all his faults and crimes, never forgot his past. As a Jedi, Anakin was told to let go of attachments and move forward, which proved to be a task he could never accomplish, thus making the Jedi Council wary of his ability to be a trusted Jedi.As Vader, he continued to hold on to those he loved and lost, which fueled his anger and his power in the Dark Side.
Star Wars Comics Hint Darth Vader Helped Kylo Ren in Rise of Skywalker
In a new Darth Vader comic, it’s revealed that the Dark Lord may have helped Kylo Ren’s own journey to Exegol in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Kylo Ren Lacks His Grandfather’s Understanding, Making Him Unable to Rise to Vader’s Level
The Differences Between Grandfather and Grandson Are Stark
Kylo Ren is intent on eliminating everything that made him who he is, believing he can recreate himself as someone both powerful and free. Just as Darth Vader killed Anakin Skywalker, Kylo Ren attempted to kill Ben Solo. Striking down his father, Han Solo, was another attempt to create a blank slate for himself;if Kylo eliminated his parents and uncle, then he would be truly free.Or at least that was the logic behind his patricide. The most ironic part about Kylo Ren’s obsession with killing anyone related to his past is that it is something Anakin Skywalker would never have done.
Kylo Ren believed he was following in Darth Vader’s footsteps by attempting to stamp out his past, but he was actively working against what made his grandfather such a powerful Sith.
Everything Anakin did that eventually led him to the Dark Side was to protect the person he loved the most: his wife, Padmé.Even after he was resurrected as Darth Vader, he worked to resurrect Padmé, turning his fortress into a way to contact her with the help ofSith heretic Darth Momin. When that failed, he attempted to recruit Sabé, Padmé former ‘shadow’ and lookalike, clearly wanting her approval for his plans. Likewise, after learning about Luke, Darth Vader plotted to recruit him as an apprentice, wanting to work together to supplant Palpatine. At every opportunity, Darth Vader tried to reclaim his past, even in the context of serving the Dark Side.
Kylo Ren believed he was following in Darth Vader’s footsteps by attempting to stamp out his past, but he was actively working against what made his grandfather such a powerful Sith. Now, thanks to his reckless new quest to overcome his grandfather’s legacy,Kylo Renis finally realizing why he can’t equal the legendaryDarth Vader, fleeing the past rather than turning it into his weapon.
Star Wars: Legacy of Vader#1is available now from Marvel Comics.
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.
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.
