MUST SEE: Star Wars Comics: Kylo Ren Rises
Last night, I saw Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. But before the movie, I wanted to read the first in a comic series connected with the film: Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren. It’s the completist in me.
In the comic, the renowned comic writer Charlies Soule weaves a tale of woe; unfortunate circumstances, which put Ben Solo in black.
However, before Kylo Ren, there was — simply — Ren.
Meet Marvel’s Ren
For StarWars.com Kristin Baver wrote:
They call him Ren, but that wasn’t always his name.
“Born out of the flames,” as artist Will Sliney puts it, the leader of the Knights of Ren in the opening pages of the new comic Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren #1, arrives battle-scarred and wearing a fearsome, featureless mask — a blank expression save for a smattering of claw-like gouges. Concealed within is a charismatic leader, the exact type of person who would be able to seduce young Ben Solo away from the path of the Jedi.
“I wanted him to read like a charming Darth Vader,” says writer Charles Soule. “A Vader who is charismatic and who is appealing. That’s why [Ren’s] skin is burned and he sort of looks the way that he does. He’s embracing the seductiveness and the damage that the dark side does. Darth Vader, as impressive and imposing and terrifying as he is, is remote and cold and distant because he has the suit surrounding him. Whereas Ren isn’t hiding behind it. He’s someone you could have a beer with, in theory.”
The Rise of Kylo Ren
Also helpful was Star Wars Explained’s spoiler explanation:
Check out some panels from the series:
If you are already a big Star Wars fan, I’d say it would be great if you purchased the comic before you head out to the movie. It definitely whet my whistle and re-set the storyline as I began to think about Kylo Ren.