Warning: SPOILERS for Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren #1
As Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker looks to make Kylo Ren answer for his betrayal of Luke Skywalker, fans are learning that this isn't actually the first time. Now the story of the first Jedi heroes to stand against Ben Solo is finally being told. It's the story of Luke's Other Jedi students who witnessed Ben Solo's destruction of their academy... and how they sealed their brother's fate with their own drawn lightsabers.
The films aren't likely to every actually tell this part of Kylo Ren's journey, anchoring his fall in Luke's 'betrayal' alone. But it's for that very reason that Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren comic series exists, with writer Charles Soule and artist Will Sliney showing the villain's origin story "from Ben To Ren." And now that the first official preview has been released, fans can get their first batch of new answers. Starting with Ben Solo watching as Luke's Academy burns to the ground, as a handful of his other Jedi students return to find their master dead. And how their own angry response helped push Ben further towards his dark future.
The idea that Luke's other Jedi students -- Tai, Hennix, and Voe -- were wrong to react the way they did is probably being unfair, since Ben's arrogance and false certainty about Luke's true motives are clear from the first panels (having locked his emotions away already). But it drives home the point that even the darkest villains in the Star Wars universe could have been saved, if compassion and understanding were truly the Jedi way. Luke may have figured that out in saving his father Anakin from the darkness of Darth Vader, but he clearly couldn't impress it upon his students quickly enough to save Ben -- or considering their failure to stop The Rise of Kylo Ren, quickly enough to save themselves, either. It's just the first piece of Star Wars history the comic will reveal, so fans can see the preview pages for themselves below.
The plot synopses for this issue and those following it suggest Luke's other students survive to continue their pursuit of Ben Solo. But which ones? What other tragedies will unfold in the ashes of Luke's Jedi Academy? Readers will have to wait and see when the series begins on December 18th. For now, find the full credits and plot synopsis below:
- STAR WARS: THE RISE OF KYLO REN #1 (OF 4)
- Release Date: December 18th, 2019
- Written by: Charles Soule
- Art by: Will Sliney
- Cover by: Clayton Crain
- Variant Covers by: Carmen Carnero, John Tyler Christopher
- WITH BEN SOLO’S FALL… COMES KYLO REN’S RISE! Young Ben Solo is legendary Jedi Luke Skywalker’s most promising pupil. As the son of Rebel Alliance heroes Leia Organa and Han Solo, as well as Luke’s own nephew, Ben has the potential to be a great force for light in the galaxy. But the Skywalker legacy casts a long shadow, the currents of the dark side run deep, and Darth Vader’s blood runs in Ben’s veins. Voices call from both his past and his future, telling him who he must be. He will shatter, he will be reforged, his destiny will be revealed. Snoke awaits. The Knights of Ren await. Ben Solo’s path to his true self begins here.
Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren #1 will be available from your local comic shop on December 18th.