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

Marvel's Star Wars comics are undergoing a significant shift. Previously centered on the year between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi with titles like Star Wars, Darth Vader, and Doctor Aphra, Marvel is now venturing into new eras of the Star Wars timeline. Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku depicts the climactic clash 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 compelling, however, is Star Wars: Legacy of Vader, a series diving deep into the complex psyche of Kylo Ren, portrayed by Adam Driver.

IGN recently spoke with Legacy of Vader writer Charles Soule to uncover details about the series and its fresh perspective on Ben Solo. First, explore an exclusive preview of the series in the slideshow below, then continue for more insights.

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader - Preview Art Gallery

Revisiting Kylo Ren’s Journey

Soule played a key role in Marvel’s exploration of the post-Empire Strikes Back era, writing the flagship Star Wars series and leading crossovers like War of the Bounty Hunters and Dark Droids. Having spent years in that period, we asked what drew him to leap forward decades. Soule explained his desire to revisit Kylo Ren, a character he first explored in 2020’s The Rise of Kylo Ren.

“I’ve been eager to return to Kylo Ren for years,” Soule told IGN. “It’s hard to believe it’s been over four years since The Rise of Kylo Ren, the miniseries I crafted with Will Sliney that traced Ben Solo’s descent into Kylo Ren. Set before The Force Awakens, that story left so much of Kylo’s journey untold. Like Darth Vader, the films only reveal fragments of his story, leaving much implied or unexplored.”

Soule added, “Setting this series right after The Last Jedi lets me explore a character transformed by rapid, seismic changes. Kylo’s life has been upended in profound ways. It’s a rare chance to write a character brimming with raw emotion, and Kylo is as intense as it gets.”

Another draw for Soule was reuniting with artist Luke Ross, a seasoned Star Wars collaborator from projects like War of the Bounty Hunters and Dark Droids.

“I jump at any chance to work with Luke,” Soule said. “This is our third major Star Wars project together, and his art keeps getting better. In Legacy of Vader, he captures Kylo’s inner turmoil and icy rage flawlessly. With colorist Nolan Woodard, they’re delivering exceptional work.”

Ben Solo Post-The Last Jedi

Legacy of Vader unfolds in the critical moments following Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Ben Solo has just failed to sway Rey to the Dark Side, confronted his uncle Luke Skywalker in a final duel, nearly killed his mother after murdering his father, and seized control of the galaxy’s most formidable military force. The series delves into the chaos consuming Kylo Ren as he grapples with his past and strives to forge a new path.

“Ben’s in a dark place,” Soule said. “We see glimmers of his true self in The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, but at this moment, Ben Solo is buried deep within Kylo Ren’s fractured mind. In mere weeks, he’s battled his mentor Luke, killed Snoke, murdered his father, nearly killed his mother, connected deeply with Rey, and taken command of the First Order. That’s a lot to process, and moving forward isn’t easy.”

The story begins with Ben journeying to Mustafar, to the fortress once held by his grandfather, Darth Vader. Intent on severing his past, Ben seeks a symbolic connection to Anakin Skywalker, though not necessarily a literal one. Soule hints that Ben’s feelings about his grandfather are as conflicted as the rest of his life.

“Kylo’s not entirely honest with himself,” Soule explained. “He makes bold declarations and projects an image of invincibility, but deep down, he’s lost. While he claims he wants to erase his past, he’s also desperately seeking guidance. That’s how he feels about Anakin—torn between reverence and rejection.”

Readers can expect a deep dive into the First Order’s inner workings. The Sequel Trilogy showed General Hux’s disdain for Kylo Ren, and The Rise of Skywalker revealed officers like Allegiant General Pryde scheming to usher in Palpatine’s Final Order. Legacy of Vader will explore these political tensions as Kylo tightens his grip on his new regime.

“I’d be disappointed if I couldn’t play with the First Order’s political intrigue,” Soule said. “Hux is a key figure in the series, and Pryde is present too. While Kylo’s personal journey is central, his efforts to shape the First Order are a major part of the story.”

Ultimately, Star Wars: Legacy of Vader aims to deepen our understanding of Kylo Ren/Ben Solo, adding nuance to the Sequel Trilogy’s central antagonist. While his fate is known, the series illuminates the choices that define him in The Rise of Skywalker.

“I’ve been telling Star Wars stories for a decade,” Soule said. “I aim for each to stand alone while rewarding fans who know the broader canon. This series follows Kylo’s struggle to define himself—a painful, tumultuous journey. Some see his conflict as proof that Ben Solo lingers beneath Kylo’s darkness. But even without that context, the story works as a portrait of a young man searching for identity, wielding a deadly lightsaber and dark power. It’s packed with drama, angst, and thrilling action. I think fans will be hooked.”

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1 hits shelves on February 5, 2025.

For more on the Star Wars franchise, explore our guide to every Star Wars movie and series in development.