Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #3
Star Warshas finally putKylo RenandDarth Vaderface-to-face in the official canon. As seen inThe Force Awakens, it was established that Kylo Ren would often speak to what remained of his grandfather’s charred mask, wanting reassurance in his dark side path and strengthening his resolve to finish what Vader started. However, Marvel’s new and canonicalLegacy of Vaderseries has taken a Kylo Ren/Darth Vader encounter even further, taking place betweenThe Last JediandRise of Skywalker.
InStar Wars: Legacy of Vaderby Charles Soule and Luke Ross, Kylo Ren has been learning more about his grandfather’s past and the true source of his power thanks toDarth Vader’s old servant Vaneé. This quest has recently brought Kylo Ren to Tatooine, Vader’s homeworld, where Kylo was subsequently overpowered and chained by Gardulla, the Hutt crime lord who once owned Anakin and his mother.Now,Legacy of Vader #3sees an imprisoned Kylo hallucinating, receiving a vision that puts him face to face with Darth Vader for the first time:
Watching Darth Vader mow down Rebel soldiers as a mirror to the Dark Lord’s iconicRogue Onehallway scene, Kylo Ren assumes he’d be able to receive instruction and guidance from his grandfather. However, the Supreme Leader is sorely mistaken as this newStar Warsissue continues.
Kylo Ren’s Latest Vision Brings Him Face To Face With Vader
Asking His Grandfather For Guidance
Naturally, Kylo Ren is in awe of his grandfather and his command of the dark side. As such, it makes sense that the Supreme Leader would seek guidance from Darth Vader, wanting to learn from the Sith Lord he’d idolized for so long, ever since he was drawn to the dark side’s power thanks to the formerSupreme Leader Snoke.However, this vision of Darth Vader refuses to aid his captive grandson, just as the actual Dark Lord likely would have refused assistance had they met physically.
Darth Vader confirms that everything that makes him so “magnificent” was achieved by his own actions. Vader’s power was singular, and he alone claimed his power in the dark side. It wasn’t through the aid of Palpatine, or was merely given to him. He had to take it for himself, on his own.It’s a dark truth that Kylo Ren certainly takes to heart, reaching within himself and his rage to free himself from Gardulla’s grasp on his own, without Vader or anyone else’s support.
Was This Vision Kylo Ren’s Most Genuine Encounter With Vader?
Palpatine Was A Master Manipulator
Overall, Kylo Ren’s vision of Darth Vader and the dark lesson he learned is a pretty big moment in his dark side journey. Additionally, one could argue that it might have also been a more genuine encounter with the spirit of his grandfather than he’d ever had before. After all,the resurrected Palpatine confirms inThe Rise of Skywalkerthat he was “every voice Kylo had ever heard in his head” as his power grew in the dark side.
Palpatine’s secret manipulations presumably include the times when Kylo Ren sought guidance from his grandfather’s mask. With that in mind, this new vision is likely even more significant in theStar Warstimeline. At any rate, it’s going to be very exciting to see what Kylo Ren learns next about Darth Vader’s legacy as he heads to Naboo in future issues.
Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #3is on sale 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.
