Marvel's Star Wars line is undergoing a significant transformation. Previously, the focus was primarily on the one-year gap between *The Empire Strikes Back* and *Return of the Jedi*, explored through titles like *Star Wars*, *Darth Vader*, and *Doctor Aphra*. With these series concluded, Marvel is now venturing into new territories within the Star Wars timeline. *Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku* delves into the final major confrontation between the Rebel Alliance and the crumbling Empire. The forthcoming *Star Wars: Jedi Knights* illuminates the Jedi Order's history before *The Phantom Menace*. Most intriguingly, *Star Wars: Legacy of Vader* promises to enrich the narrative of Adam Driver's Kylo Ren in a profound way.
IGN recently had the opportunity to discuss *Legacy of Vader* with its writer, Charles Soule, to gain deeper insights into the series and its contribution to the complex character of Ben Solo. Before diving into the interview, take a moment to explore an exclusive preview of the series in the slideshow gallery below.
Star Wars: Legacy of Vader - Preview Art Gallery
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Returning to the Story of Kylo Ren
Charles Soule played a pivotal role in Marvel's exploration of the post-*Empire Strikes Back* era, having written the flagship *Star Wars* series and spearheaded major crossovers like *War of the Bounty Hunters* and *Dark Droids*. After immersing himself in that specific timeline, Soule was eager to leap forward several decades to revisit Kylo Ren, a character he had previously explored in 2020's *The Rise of Kylo Ren*.
"I’ve wanted to get back to Kylo Ren for ages," Soule shared with IGN. "It’s amazing to me that it’s been over four years since *The Rise of Kylo Ren*, the miniseries I created with Will Sliney that chronicled Ben Solo’s transformation into Kylo Ren. That one was set before *Episode VII*, and I’ve always thought there was so much more story to tell with Kylo. Just like Darth Vader, the films only give us so much – a great deal of Kylo’s story is either implied or just not really addressed at all."
Soule further elaborated, "I think setting this book directly after *Episode VIII* gives me a chance to deal with a character who’s gone through an extreme amount of change in a very short amount of time – his life has changed in drastic ways. I do think it’s a huge opportunity. You want to write characters with emotion to them – and at this point, Kylo’s about as emotional as a character can get."
The appeal of *Legacy of Vader* for Soule also lies in reuniting with Luke Ross, a prolific Star Wars artist with whom he has collaborated on several projects. "I’ll work with Luke any chance I get!" Soule exclaimed. "He and I have done three big pieces of work in the Star Wars universe at this point – *War of the Bounty Hunters*, *Dark Droids*, and now this story. I think his work has leveled up with each project, and this one… wow. He’s captured the turmoil and unpredictable cold rage of Kylo Ren perfectly. You’ll see – Luke, and our colorist Nolan Woodard, are doing top-notch work here."
Ben Solo After The Last Jedi
*Legacy of Vader* is set during a crucial period in Ben Solo's life - the immediate aftermath of *Star Wars: The Last Jedi*. At this juncture, Ben has just failed to turn Rey to the Dark Side, faced his uncle Luke in battle for the last time, nearly killed his mother as he did his father, and assumed control of the galaxy's most powerful military force. The series aims to delve into the profound turmoil afflicting Kylo Ren as he strives to move forward and sever ties with his past.
"Poor Ben. We know he’s still in there somewhere because of the things we see in both *Last Jedi* and *Rise of Skywalker*, but at this particular moment he’s been shoved down into some dark corner of Kylo Ren’s psyche," Soule explained. "In a very short amount of time, Kylo’s faced down one of his great mentors in Luke Skywalker, killed another in Snoke, killed his father, almost killed his mother, met someone with whom he’s felt a unique, powerful connection in Rey, and assumed total control of one of, if not the most powerful military organization in the galaxy. All that in what seems to be just a matter of weeks! Kylo wants to move forward, but all of that trauma and intensity is very fresh – not easy to get past."
The series begins with Ben traveling to Mustafar to visit the fortress once occupied by his grandfather, Darth Vader. In his quest to kill the past, Ben must confront the ghost of the man who inspired him deeply. Soule hinted that Ben's connection to Anakin Skywalker is as conflicted as any other aspect of his life at this moment.
"One of the key things to understand about Kylo is that he’s not particularly honest with himself," Soule noted. "As I see his character, he’s big on grand pronouncements, big on posturing, big on trying to convince himself he feels a certain way, e.g. untouchable and all-powerful. In reality, though, he’s pretty lost. So while he’s telling himself he wants to kill his own past, part of him is also looking for any sort of guidance he can get. That sums up his feelings about his grandfather at this point – he’s conflicted."
The series will also delve into the inner workings of the First Order. As the Sequel Trilogy highlighted, General Hux, portrayed by Domhnall Gleeson, harbors no affection for Kylo Ren. Additionally, officers like Richard E. Grant's Allegiant General Pryde are plotting behind their Supreme Leader's back, paving the way for Palpatine's Final Order. The political dynamics within the First Order will be a significant aspect of *Legacy of Vader*, as Kylo Ren seeks to consolidate his control over his new military.
"I would be bummed if I were writing a series set at this time period and not get to play with the First Order and its internal political shenanigans," Soule remarked. "Hux is certainly in the book, and Pryde was around as well during this time period. Kylo’s journey is the book’s focus, but the way he uses and develops the First Order is certainly part of the story too."
The ultimate aim of *Star Wars: Legacy of Vader* is to deepen our understanding of Kylo Ren/Ben Solo and add new dimensions to the villain who dominated the Sequel Trilogy. While we know how his story concludes, the series will provide a clearer picture of who Ben Solo is and the motivations behind his choices in *The Rise of Skywalker*.
"I’ve been doing this job (telling Star Wars stories) for a while now – a decade," Soule reflected. "I try to make sure every one can be appreciated as a tale on its own, while also having elements that can be appreciated by readers who know exactly where the story fits into the overarching mega-story that is all of the Star Wars canon."
Soule added, "This book is about Kylo Ren’s struggle to define himself, and it is not easy for him. It feels like every moment of his life is accompanied by turmoil and pain. Some fans would say that’s because he is not himself as Kylo – part of him knows he’s truly Ben – and the story can be viewed through that perspective. But I think it also works if you know nothing about Kylo Ren other than what you see in these beautifully-drawn pages – that he’s searching for himself, like many younger people do. Of course, he’s also a dark space wizard with a laser sword he loves to use to deadly effect whenever he feels like it. There’s plenty of angst and drama, but we don’t stint on the action, either. I think fans will love it."
*Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1* is set to be released on February 5, 2025.
