Kylo Ren's Lost Year Explored in Star Wars: Legacy of Vader

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," with titles like Star Wars, Darth Vader, and Doctor Aphra. Now, with these series concluded, Marvel is expanding its narrative scope across the Star Wars timeline. "Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku" delves into the pivotal final conflict between the Rebel Alliance and the waning Empire. "Star Wars: Jedi Knights" explores the lore of the Jedi Order before "The Phantom Menace." Most intriguingly, "Star Wars: Legacy of Vader" aims to provide a deeper understanding of Adam Driver's Kylo Ren.

IGN had the opportunity to interview Charles Soule, the writer behind "Legacy of Vader," to discuss how this series enriches the character of Ben Solo. Before diving into the interview, take a moment to view an exclusive preview of the series in the gallery below.

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader - Preview Art Gallery

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Returning to the Story of Kylo Ren

Charles Soule, who previously explored the post-"Empire Strikes Back" era with the flagship Star Wars series and major crossovers like "War of the Bounty Hunters" and "Dark Droids," is eager to revisit Kylo Ren. "I’ve wanted to get back to Kylo Ren for ages," Soule shares 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 is excited about setting "Legacy of Vader" directly after "Episode VIII," a period of intense change for Kylo. "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 collaboration with artist Luke Ross is another highlight for Soule. "I’ll work with Luke any chance I get!" Soule says. "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."

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

Ben Solo After The Last Jedi

"Legacy of Vader" is set immediately after "The Last Jedi," a time of immense upheaval for Ben Solo. He has just failed to turn Rey to the Dark Side, faced his uncle Luke Skywalker in battle, nearly killed his mother, and assumed control of the galaxy's most formidable military force. "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 explains. "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 confront the legacy of his grandfather, Darth Vader. "One of the key things to understand about Kylo is that he’s not particularly honest with himself," Soule notes. "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 internal politics of the First Order. General Hux, portrayed by Domhnall Gleeson, and officers like Allegiant General Pryde, played by Richard E. Grant, play significant roles as they navigate their own agendas within Kylo Ren's regime. "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 says. "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 overarching aim of "Star Wars: Legacy of Vader" is to enhance our understanding of Kylo Ren/Ben Solo and add new dimensions to the villain central to the Sequel Trilogy. "I’ve been doing this job (telling Star Wars stories) for a while now – a decade," Soule reflects. "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 emphasizes the emotional journey of Kylo Ren. "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 scheduled for release on February 5, 2025.