"Star Wars: Legacy of Vader Explores Kylo Ren's Missing Year"

Marvel's Star Wars line is undergoing a significant transformation. Previously, the focus was primarily on the year between *The Empire Strikes Back* and *Return of the Jedi*, explored through titles like *Star Wars*, *Darth Vader*, and *Doctor Aphra*. With those series concluded, Marvel is now venturing into different segments of the Star Wars timeline. *Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku* delves into the final major confrontation between the Rebel Alliance and the declining Empire. The forthcoming *Star Wars: Jedi Knights* illuminates the Jedi Order's history prior to *The Phantom Menace*. Most intriguing is *Star Wars: Legacy of Vader*, which promises to expand the narrative around Adam Driver's character, Kylo Ren, in a substantial way.

IGN recently had the opportunity to interview *Legacy of Vader* writer Charles Soule, gaining insights into this new series and how it enhances our understanding of the enigmatic Ben Solo. Before diving into the interview, take a moment to view 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 has been a key figure in Marvel's exploration of the post-*Empire Strikes Back* era, having penned the flagship *Star Wars* series and led major crossovers such as *War of the Bounty Hunters* and *Dark Droids*. After delving deeply into that timeline, Soule's interest in jumping forward several decades to focus on Kylo Ren stems from a desire to further explore the character he introduced in *The Rise of Kylo Ren* back in 2020.

"I've wanted to get back to Kylo Ren for ages," Soule shared with IGN. "It's incredible to think 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 series was set before *Episode VII*, and I always felt there was more story to tell with Kylo. Much like Darth Vader, the films only show us so much – a lot of Kylo's story is either implied or not addressed at all."

Soule explains that setting *Legacy of Vader* directly after *Episode VIII* allows him to explore a character who has undergone significant changes in a very short period. "I think it's a huge opportunity," he notes. "You want to write characters with emotion to them – and at this point, Kylo's about as emotional as a character can get."

Another compelling aspect of *Legacy of Vader* for Soule is the chance to collaborate once again with Luke Ross, a prolific Star Wars artist with whom he has worked on several projects. "I'll work with Luke any chance I get!" Soule exclaims. "He and I have done three significant pieces of work in the Star Wars universe – *War of the Bounty Hunters*, *Dark Droids*, and now this story. I think his work has improved with each project, and in 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."

Art by Derrick Chew. (Image Credit: Marvel/Lucasfilm)

Ben Solo After The Last Jedi

*Legacy of Vader* is set during a critical period in Ben Solo's life – the immediate aftermath of *Star Wars: The Last Jedi*. At this juncture, Ben has failed to turn Rey to the Dark Side, faced his uncle Luke in battle one final time, nearly killed his mother as he did his father, and taken command of the galaxy's most powerful military force. The series aims to delve into the profound turmoil afflicting Kylo Ren as he attempts to move forward and sever ties with his past.

"Poor Ben. We know he's still in there somewhere because of what we see in both *Last Jedi* and *Rise of Skywalker*, but at this particular moment, he's been pushed down into some dark corner of Kylo Ren's psyche," Soule remarks. "In a very short time, Kylo's confronted 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. Ben is trying to kill his past, but to do so, he must commune with the ghost of the man who deeply inspired him. Soule teases that Ben is as conflicted about his connection to Anakin Skywalker as he is about anything else in his life at this moment.

"One of the key things to understand about Kylo is that he's not particularly honest with himself," Soule says. "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."

"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."

The series will also focus on the internal dynamics of the First Order. As seen in the Sequel Trilogy, General Hux, played by Domhnall Gleeson, is no fan of Kylo Ren. Additionally, officers like Richard E. Grant's Allegiant General Pryde are plotting beneath their Supreme Leader's nose, paving the way for Palpatine's Final Order. The political machinations within the First Order will play a significant role in *Legacy of Vader*, as Kylo Ren works to consolidate his control over his new military.

"I would be disappointed if I were writing a series set at this time period and didn't get to explore the First Order and its internal political shenanigans," Soule says. "Hux is certainly in the book, and Pryde was around 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 was central to the Sequel Trilogy. While we may know how this story ends, the book will provide a richer understanding of who Ben Solo is and why he makes the choices he does in *The Rise of Skywalker*.

"I've been telling Star Wars stories for a decade now," Soule reflects. "I try to ensure each one can be appreciated as a standalone tale, while also containing elements that resonate with readers who understand where the story fits within the broader Star Wars canon."

"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 lens. 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 skimp 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.