Kylo Ren's Shocking Reunion with Luke Skywalker Changes Everything for Star Wars Canon

Marvel's latest Star Wars: Legacy of Vader comic just dropped a huge bombshell about Ben Solo's journey and Luke Skywalker's controversial Last Jedi moment, giving us an unprecedented look into the Force's afterlife.

TL;DR: The Essentials of This Force-Changing Comic

• Kylo Ren, as Supreme Leader, successfully entered the Netherworld of the Force to confront Luke Skywalker's Force Ghost.
• This accomplishment was something even Darth Vader never managed, possible because Kylo Ren is deeply conflicted between light and dark.
• The reunion recontextualizes Luke's death in The Last Jedi and significantly bolsters the narrative for Kylo Ren's eventual redemption in The Rise of Skywalker.

Imagine sensing the ghost of your most complicated mentor, a presence you desperately want to extinguish, only to find yourself face-to-face with them in the actual afterlife. That's exactly where we find Ben Solo, better known as Kylo Ren, in the recently released Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #10 from Marvel Comics. This isn't just another comic issue; it's a monumental moment that fundamentally shifts our understanding of the Force, redemption, and the Skywalkers' intertwined destinies.

Kylo Ren's Deep-Seated Obsession with His Grandfather's Dark Path

From his very first appearance in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Kylo Ren's fixation on Darth Vader has been undeniable. He wasn't born knowing the full truth of his lineage; the public revelation of Anakin Skywalker being Darth Vader, detailed in Claudia Gray's novel Bloodline, came as a shock and derailed his mother Leia's political career. This bombshell only amplified the dark side's pull on young Ben Solo, convincing him he was destined to walk in his grandfather's formidable footsteps.

Charles Soule and Luke Ross's ongoing Star Wars: Legacy of Vader series explores this obsession in the year-long gap between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. We've seen Kylo traverse iconic planets like Tatooine and Naboo, methodically tracing Vader's life. His latest pilgrimage brings him to the fiery wasteland of Mustafar, Vader's personal fortress, where his quest takes an astonishing turn.

A Journey into the Afterlife: Kylo Ren Achieves the Impossible

Darth Vader, like all Sith Lords, harbored a profound fascination with conquering death. Post-Revenge of the Sith, his focus narrowed to resurrecting or communing with his lost love, Padmé Amidala. Despite his immense power and relentless efforts, Vader only ever encountered frustratingly fragmented and ambiguous visions. Padmé remained forever beyond his grasp in the afterlife.

Fast forward to Legacy of Vader #10. Kylo Ren arrives at Fortress Vader, tormented by the lingering presence of Luke Skywalker's Force Ghost. He resents Luke watching him and is desperate to silence that connection. Vader’s cybernetically enhanced former servant, Vaneé, directs Kylo to Vader's Sith Meditation Chamber. What follows isn't just a meditation, but a profound Force experience unlike any seen before for a dark sider.

Kylo's vision begins in a dark, swamp-like mental prison, where skeletal forms of his past failures and loved ones taunt him. In a striking visual, he manifests both a red and a blue lightsaber, battling these specters. This internal struggle, symbolized by the two blade colors, proves critical. Rejecting the darkness of the swamp, his mind focuses on Luke, inadvertently tapping into the light within him.

Suddenly, Kylo Ren finds himself in the Netherworld of the Force—the mystical afterlife where Jedi Force Ghosts reside. This realm, traditionally believed to be inaccessible to those deeply entrenched in the dark side, is where he finally confronts his uncle.

"No one killed me. I sacrificed my life for others, in service of something greater. I died for my friends and family and for the people I don't know all across the galaxy, so they could live in peace and light. That's what my life was for."

— Luke Skywalker to Kylo Ren in Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #10

Ben, still ignorant of the full circumstances of Luke's passing on Crait, demands to know who killed him. Luke, ever the teacher, calmly explains his sacrifice. He also addresses Ben's jealous query about Rey, simply stating, "She wanted to learn." Despite Ben's threats to destroy him even in this realm, Luke remains unfazed, instead urging his nephew to consider how he managed to reach this place at all. The reunion ends with Ben violently flung back to his dark vision, emerging from the meditation chamber with real, physical wounds that Vaneé tends to in a Bacta tank.

Why Ben Solo Succeeded Where Darth Vader Could Not Reach the Netherworld

This is where Legacy of Vader #10 delivers its biggest revelation: Kylo Ren accomplished something his grandfather, Darth Vader, never could. He entered the Netherworld. The key difference lies in their internal states. Darth Vader ruthlessly tried to extinguish the light within himself, to fully claim the darkness. He suppressed Anakin Skywalker almost entirely.

Kylo Ren, on the other hand, was always torn. He was acutely aware of the constant pull between the light and the dark, a conflict he never fully resolved. As Qui-Gon Jinn's Force Ghost explained to Yoda in Matt Stover's novelization of Revenge of the Sith, true immortality in the Netherworld "comes only by the release of self, not the exaltation of self. It comes through compassion, not greed. Love is the answer to the darkness."

These qualities—compassion, love, a release of self—still flickered within Kylo Ren, leaving him conflicted. While they were present in Vader too, they were far more effectively suppressed. Kylo's attempt to "kill Ben Solo" by murdering his father, Han Solo, in The Force Awakens, was a twisted Sith ritual. Yet, Han's unconditional love and acceptance of his fate stripped that act of its intended power. Ben Solo endured, making his journey to the Netherworld possible.

Recontextualizing Luke's Legacy and Kylo's Redemption Arc

Luke Skywalker was the sole believer in Darth Vader's potential for redemption, a conviction even Yoda and Obi-Wan considered foolish. Seeing Kylo Ren in the Netherworld serves as powerful validation for Luke. He knows that only those with light within them can access this mystical afterlife, a feat even Vader couldn't achieve. For Luke, this is irrefutable proof that his nephew is not beyond salvation, that Ben Solo truly lives.

This comic also offers crucial context for one of Star Wars' most debated moments: Luke's death in The Last Jedi. Many fans, including Mark Hamill himself, felt his portrayal and sacrifice in Episode VIII seemed out of character for the altruistic hero of the Original Trilogy. Luke's explanation to Kylo in the Netherworld—that he "sacrificed his life for others, in service of something greater"—provides the missing emotional depth and motivation. It confirms that the heroic Luke was indeed still there, willing to push beyond the limits of life for the galaxy's peace.

Example: For a longtime fan, Sarah, who felt let down by Luke's arc in The Last Jedi, reading this comic might be a revelation. "I just never understood why Luke acted the way he did, and his death felt so... lonely," she might say. "But seeing him explain it to Ben, seeing that deep purpose, it changes everything. It doesn't undo the movie, but it makes his sacrifice so much more meaningful for me now."

However, it's important to acknowledge some counterpoints. While this comic enriches the lore, not every fan will find a comic book explanation sufficient to "redeem" a controversial on-screen movie moment. The experience of seeing something play out visually can differ from reading about it, and for some, the initial impression of Luke in The Last Jedi may remain. Additionally, while Kylo Ren's success supports the "Force ghost theory" that powerful users can become Force ghosts through redemption without formal training (like Anakin), it still hinges on an interpretation of complex Force mechanics that aren't always explicitly laid out, leaving room for further discussion.

This significant comic moment lays even firmer groundwork for Kylo Ren's eventual return to the light in The Rise of Skywalker. It highlights that his commitment to the dark side was never absolute, always tempered by an internal struggle that Darth Vader, in his prime, completely lacked. The journey in Legacy of Vader illustrates the profound and torturous path Ben Solo takes toward self-discovery and, ultimately, redemption.

Unresolved Secrets and Future Implications from Fortress Vader

Beyond the reunion, Legacy of Vader #10 leaves us with intriguing questions. The mysterious, inaccessible vault at the heart of Fortress Vader, which Vaneé hinted holds Vader's "greatest secret power," remains unexplored. What dark secrets or immense power did Vader conceal there, and will Kylo Ren eventually unlock them? This could be the ultimate endgame of the series, further intertwining Ben Solo's destiny with his grandfather's.

Practical Takeaways for Star Wars Fans

• The Force is More Nuanced Than Ever: The Netherworld isn't just for pure light-siders; internal conflict and potential for light can grant access.
• Luke's Redemption Arc Gets Deeper: His motivations for The Last Jedi sacrifice are clearer, emphasizing his continued heroism.
• Ben Solo's Redemption Was a Long Time Coming: This comic shows his inner struggle was profound and laid the groundwork for his eventual return.
• Darth Vader's Limitations Are Highlighted: Even the most powerful Sith couldn't achieve what his conflicted grandson did due to suppressing his light.
• Comics Are Crucial Canon: Don't skip the comics if you want the full, expanded story of your favorite characters!

Frequently Asked Questions About This Star Wars Comic

Q: What is Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #10 about? A: This issue follows Kylo Ren (Ben Solo) as he meditates in Darth Vader's chamber on Mustafar, leading to a surprising journey into the Netherworld of the Force where he confronts Luke Skywalker's Force Ghost.

Q: When was Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #10 released? A: The issue was recently released and is currently on sale from Marvel Comics (some sources indicate November 5th or 6th, 2025).

Q: Where can I read Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #10? A: You can purchase it from comic book stores, digital comic platforms, or through Marvel Comics' official channels.

Q: Does this comic affect the Star Wars movies? A: Yes, it's considered canon and adds significant context to events between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, particularly concerning Kylo Ren's redemption and Luke's character arc.

Sources:

• ComicBook.com, "Star Wars Reveals Kylo Ren's Secret Reunion With Luke Skywalker After The Last Jedi," Date not explicitly given but implied as recent.
• ScreenRant, "Star Wars Reveals Kylo Ren Entered The Netherworld of the Force (Before Rise of Skywalker)," Date not explicitly given but implied as recent.
• Star Wars News Net, "Review - 'Legacy of Vader' #10 Is a Nuanced, Horrifying, and Heart-Wrenching Masterpiece," Sydney Sumpter, Date not explicitly given but implied as recent.
• The Direct, "Luke Skywalker’s Surprise Return Just Gave New Meaning To One Of Star Wars’ Most Controversial Scenes," Klein Felt, November 06, 2025.
• GamesRadar+, "A new Star Wars comic reveals that the final meeting between Kylo Ren and Luke Skywalker in The Last Jedi wasn't actually the last time the two crossed paths," Emily Garbutt, Date not explicitly given but implied as recent.
• AIPT Comics, "Marvel Preview: Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #10," November 05, 2025.