Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #12 (Marvel)
Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 12th issue of Star Wars: Legacy of Vader from Marvel Comics!
Kylo Ren has been on a journey of discovery, but not about himself. He’s been looking into his grandfather’s past, and it’s lead him from Tatooine to Naboo. He’s gone toe to toe with the leader of the Knights of Ren, and a Jedi of the Old Republic. However, now he’s facing his greatest test in the depths of Vader’s castle on Mustafar. So just what happens when he finally comes face to face with the person he wants to see most? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Marvel Comics // Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #12 by Charles Soule (Writer), Luke Ross (Artist), Nolan Woodard (Color Artist), VC’s Joe Caramanga (Letterer) & Derrick Chew (Cover Artist) is an incredible finish to the series that gives an eye opening new perspective on Kylo Ren.
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
Charles Soule really brings his absolute A game with this issue and gives a very unique, and eye opening perspective on Kylo Ren. I’d argue someone to name me a better storyteller in Star Wars that is NOT named George Lucas or Dave Filoni, because in my eyes Charles Soule is the top of the proverbial mountain.
This issue gives a fantastic inward look at one of the more intriguing characters of the sequel saga, Kylo Ren. He goes toe to toe in a battle with Vader, but of course not everything is as it appears. The thing I really liked about the story was just how much of an introspective look this was for Kylo Ren. Admittedly, I’ve had my issues with the character for the last 10+ years. We didn’t know anything about his past, his motivations or reasoning for the path he’s walked.
We’ve had some of those layers pealed back over the course of the years in films & comics, but this series has really given us the best look at Kylo Ren internally. I loved the way Charles was able to call Kylo Ren out on his own faults & why he’s in the situation he’s in. It’s a sequence we never get to see in the sequel films, and would’ve been great to see play out at some point.
This is the last issue in the series, and ultimately we do know what’s going to happen to Kylo Ren in the overall story of the universe. The end of the issue sets up what’s to come in the Rise of Skywalker very nicely, and would’ve been great to read before the film released. Regardless, we have the story now & it truly is one that expands on Kylo Ren the character in a great way.
The Artwork
Luke Ross & Nolan Woodard did a phenomenal job with the art on the issue. I really liked the way they were able to portray the battle that took place in such a unique way. It was some of the best artwork of the series and helps things end on a very high note. I loved how Ross & Woodard weren’t afraid to go big and push the boundaries of what the battle was going to be. It works so well and gives a fresh, different look to things.
FINAL POINT: Charles Soule ends one of the best Star Wars series of the decade on a high note, and gives some added depth to one of the most conflicted characters in Star Wars history. Together with artwork that is some of the best at the comic shop, this is a series you don’t want to pass up!
Overall Grade: 10/10
Thank you for taking the time to check out my review. Be sure to reach out to me on Twitter, and let me know what you thought of the issue!
