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Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren
Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren #4
SINS OF THE SON. The Rise of KYLO REN concludes, as BEN SOLO, once the Jedi's greatest hope, is swallowed by the Dark Side. It is his destiny - and if there was ever another path, SNOKE and the KNIGHTS OF REN made certain he could not see it. From Ben, to Ren...and now he is lost.
24 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 11, 2020
About the author
Charles Soule
1,548 books1,715 followersCharles Soule is a #1 New York Times-bestselling novelist, comics author, screenwriter, musician, and lapsed attorney. He has written some of the most prominent stories of the last decade for Marvel, DC and Lucasfilm in addition to his own work, such as his comics Curse Words, Letter 44 and Undiscovered Country, and his original novels Light of the Jedi, The Endless Vessel, The Oracle Year and Anyone. He lives in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
March 11, 2020
Overall, this series was phenomenal. I only wish it had more time.
While I respect the comic format, the emotional nuance of this comic, I wish it had more time to truly resonate. I would have loved this story in either a longer comic format or a novel, truthfully.
After TROS, I wasn't sure anyone could tell Kylo's story with the nuance it so deserved, and Charles Soule proved me wrong. I'm very grateful for this story and the understanding of this character I see thrown aside so often. We spent three movies following Anakin's downfall, so handling Kylo's in a span of 4 comics was no easy feat, but I think it was done beautifully well and tragically.
I'm sad that this is our last new Ben Solo content for quite some time, but grateful there are people still working on the story who believed Ben's fall wasn't as black as white as one may have thought.
While I respect the comic format, the emotional nuance of this comic, I wish it had more time to truly resonate. I would have loved this story in either a longer comic format or a novel, truthfully.
After TROS, I wasn't sure anyone could tell Kylo's story with the nuance it so deserved, and Charles Soule proved me wrong. I'm very grateful for this story and the understanding of this character I see thrown aside so often. We spent three movies following Anakin's downfall, so handling Kylo's in a span of 4 comics was no easy feat, but I think it was done beautifully well and tragically.
I'm sad that this is our last new Ben Solo content for quite some time, but grateful there are people still working on the story who believed Ben's fall wasn't as black as white as one may have thought.
June 14, 2020
What is your name
ahhhhhhhhh I LOVR T&>#,÷&@&@*@*
ahhhhhhhhh I LOVR T&>#,÷&@&@*@*
March 12, 2020
Just like for every issue, all I have to say is: Ben, I am so, so very sorry. You are so much more than a legacy, like you thought you were, and I love you so much. All of you.
This fourth issue was excellent and a great conclusion to this run. Charles Soule and Will Sliney did an amazing job at telling Ben's story and I'm so glad this run had so much success that they keep reprinting the issues. That being said, I'm still very angry at Lucasfilm, because what. was. the. reason. Also... That's the type of backstory you're supposed to include in your movies. *facepalm*
Anyway, I love Ben Solo and I will never stop loving him.
This fourth issue was excellent and a great conclusion to this run. Charles Soule and Will Sliney did an amazing job at telling Ben's story and I'm so glad this run had so much success that they keep reprinting the issues. That being said, I'm still very angry at Lucasfilm, because what. was. the. reason. Also... That's the type of backstory you're supposed to include in your movies. *facepalm*
Anyway, I love Ben Solo and I will never stop loving him.
March 12, 2020
Honestly I'm a bit disappointed in this series. It started out great but ended kinda meh. I probably would've enjoyed it a whole lot more if it were longer. Everything just felt kinda rushed. It definately made me like Ben/Kylo less, which might've been the point, but I didn't dislike him because he was doing villainous things. I disliked him because he was so whiny, especially in the last issue.
February 17, 2021
Oh, the humanity.
I'm a sucker for any Ben Solo content, and I don't say that in a haha self-deprecating way. I am a literal sucker who remains attached to this character despite all signs that fully-formed Ben is a miracle of Adam Driver's own creation.
Well, thanks, Mr Driver! I've never felt so embarrassed for caring... but I still wouldn't trade you.
This four-part series is heartache from start to finish, but it's not like we expected anything different.
I'm a sucker for any Ben Solo content, and I don't say that in a haha self-deprecating way. I am a literal sucker who remains attached to this character despite all signs that fully-formed Ben is a miracle of Adam Driver's own creation.
Well, thanks, Mr Driver! I've never felt so embarrassed for caring... but I still wouldn't trade you.
This four-part series is heartache from start to finish, but it's not like we expected anything different.
March 12, 2020
At last, we see a couple of panels that explain why this couldn't all have been released prior to The Rise of Skywalker. The sequence of events goes pretty much as one would expect, and we even get to see Kylo bleed the crystal. If I recall correctly, I don't think we ever learned where he got the name Kylo from. I know fans are impressed by how "badass" this series is, but somehow, some of it fell flat for me.
March 15, 2020
4.5/5
”Whether it’s Luke Skywalker or Snoke, neither one sees me as a person. I’m just a... legacy. Just a set of expectations.”
In conclusion: I am sad.
”Whether it’s Luke Skywalker or Snoke, neither one sees me as a person. I’m just a... legacy. Just a set of expectations.”
In conclusion: I am sad.
March 23, 2020
Dayum this is sad! Nice to know Reylo has always been connected.
March 16, 2020
This review is for the overall comic, not just part 4. I loved it. All of it. Charles took so much care telling Ben’s story and it’s clear how much he loves and understands him. We saw not just the events of what happened after the Jedi temple, but we also got a good look into Ben’s head. Things I’ve thought and understood about him for years were spelled out plainly in this comic and I’m so grateful for it. I also have to commend Will who did a great job with the illustration.
Now the rest of this review isn’t about the comic specifically, but Ben’s story in general. I am heartbroken over this. I can handle tragic stories, I love many of them. But this is something else. It’s been established by Lucasfilm that Ben was targeted and manipulated since he was in the womb, neglected, almost murdered at the age of 2, felt abandoned when he was sent away, and was mentally and physically abused for years. This comic now shows just how innocent he was. Even with Palpatine in his head his entire life he did nothing. He was wrongly blamed for destroying the temple and killing Luke, when he himself was the victim and was hunted down by his classmates over and over again.
How was this not in the last movie? HOW? I can understand not showing the entirety of this. But when the first two movies set up a lie that he murdered children, to not at the very least reveal his innocence in that is honestly unacceptable. It’s baffling and I will never understand this decision.
This story is cruel and hopeless on a level I’ve never seen before. To show someone suffering their entire life, before even being born, and then to kill them at literally the first moment where they could have the opportunity to live is beyond heartless. And to make readers learn all about just how innocent he was after killing him is sadistic. I can only hope this is all for a reason and Lucasfilm has some big plans to bring him back, and also to reveal his backstory to the general public. Because most people don’t know about any of this and I’m tired of watching a completely different story than the rest of the world.
Now the rest of this review isn’t about the comic specifically, but Ben’s story in general. I am heartbroken over this. I can handle tragic stories, I love many of them. But this is something else. It’s been established by Lucasfilm that Ben was targeted and manipulated since he was in the womb, neglected, almost murdered at the age of 2, felt abandoned when he was sent away, and was mentally and physically abused for years. This comic now shows just how innocent he was. Even with Palpatine in his head his entire life he did nothing. He was wrongly blamed for destroying the temple and killing Luke, when he himself was the victim and was hunted down by his classmates over and over again.
How was this not in the last movie? HOW? I can understand not showing the entirety of this. But when the first two movies set up a lie that he murdered children, to not at the very least reveal his innocence in that is honestly unacceptable. It’s baffling and I will never understand this decision.
This story is cruel and hopeless on a level I’ve never seen before. To show someone suffering their entire life, before even being born, and then to kill them at literally the first moment where they could have the opportunity to live is beyond heartless. And to make readers learn all about just how innocent he was after killing him is sadistic. I can only hope this is all for a reason and Lucasfilm has some big plans to bring him back, and also to reveal his backstory to the general public. Because most people don’t know about any of this and I’m tired of watching a completely different story than the rest of the world.
April 25, 2026
Damn...that was depressing.... But then it really couldn't have been anything else because of Ben Solo's trajectory toward the dark events in The Force Awakens. But at least it's been shown that he hadn't been completely terrible before then....
I found the end sequence in this fourth comic confusing--what was the blue crystal??? I know about the end result, but a little caption with an explanation of his thoughts about what he was doing would have been nice--unless I missed something earlier in this series???
I did enjoy most of the series; I think it's a solid one--so I gave this one five stars.
I found the end sequence in this fourth comic confusing--what was the blue crystal??? I know about the end result, but a little caption with an explanation of his thoughts about what he was doing would have been nice--unless I missed something earlier in this series???
I did enjoy most of the series; I think it's a solid one--so I gave this one five stars.
March 27, 2020
I mean, I have to say, the ending felt rushed. There was a little something thrown in the for The Last Jedi fans, but I know long-time Star Wars fans are going to hate it. Maybe there was something to them knowing that this run didn't need to be lengthy. I don't know. It was fun while it lasted.
November 9, 2025
he’s shirtless. he’s confused. he’s convinced he’s seeing something correctly while completely misinterpreting it. he’s hot. he’s a hot murderer.
March 25, 2020
Ben noooooo!!!! 😭
Honestly, what did I really expect? Despite knowing the outcome, there's something about this series that holds out on hope, but ultimately makes it understandable as to why Ben Solo makes the decisions he does. This issue DELIVERED! It gave me everything I wanted and more. I gasped, I cheered, I booed...
It was a great conclusion. I only wish I was longer!
Honestly, what did I really expect? Despite knowing the outcome, there's something about this series that holds out on hope, but ultimately makes it understandable as to why Ben Solo makes the decisions he does. This issue DELIVERED! It gave me everything I wanted and more. I gasped, I cheered, I booed...
It was a great conclusion. I only wish I was longer!
March 26, 2020
Well... that hurt.
April 15, 2020
Review is of the paper edition as ever. This last part sees Ben now with the Knights, although they're still not totally convinced he's ready to be one of them. A confrontation with the remaining Jedi from Luke's temple tests that theory.
It's an interesting way to end the series, and I love that them being on Mimban ties us in with Solo. I've enjoyed the series as a whole, although it hasn't answered some key questions - such as how Ben met Snoke in the first place. I'm guessing Snoke's origins will be covered in a future novel or perhaps another comic series at some point.
It's an interesting way to end the series, and I love that them being on Mimban ties us in with Solo. I've enjoyed the series as a whole, although it hasn't answered some key questions - such as how Ben met Snoke in the first place. I'm guessing Snoke's origins will be covered in a future novel or perhaps another comic series at some point.
November 18, 2020
Ah, brividi!
Gran finale, vediamo un Ben costretto, oppresso da Ren e Snoke.
Poi grande battaglia, Tai che cerca di parlare con Ben, quest’ultimo pensa però che tutto fosse già deciso, sottolineando il fatto che non ha mai avuto una scelta in vita sua.
Alla fine uccide Ren, vediamo collegamenti con Rey,Leia,Snoke e Palpatine.
Veramente, veramente ben fatto, 5 stelline ad occhi chiusi
Gran finale, vediamo un Ben costretto, oppresso da Ren e Snoke.
Poi grande battaglia, Tai che cerca di parlare con Ben, quest’ultimo pensa però che tutto fosse già deciso, sottolineando il fatto che non ha mai avuto una scelta in vita sua.
Alla fine uccide Ren, vediamo collegamenti con Rey,Leia,Snoke e Palpatine.
Veramente, veramente ben fatto, 5 stelline ad occhi chiusi
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2020
Choice? I have no choice and never did. Even my
name
isn't a choice. The dark side and the light both claimed mefor their own the moment I was born. Do you know how that
feels?
This is what I was waiting for, and boy was it worth the hype and the wait... The Rise of Kylo Ren, as a whole, was an incredible story about losing our path. Ben Solo was always meant to fall for the dark because every factor that could've ever changed that worked against him. He didn't have a choice, and at the end, I hope people who didn't believe it before get to understand why his story is so fascinatingly tragic. It was exhilarating, heart-breaking, funny and charming all at once, and that is just a testament to Soule's incredible writing and Sliney's talent to draw.
My only problem with it is that it was too short, and that I would've wished it to be a book series or even a separate film (because c'mon, Adam Driver would've knocked these comics out of the park with his impeccable acting) because I feel there is sooooo much potential in this. But Lucasfilm has proven to be very dumb as of lately so it doesn't really surprise me.
Either way, this was a blast and I'll probably re-read it a 100 times more.
This is what I was waiting for, and boy was it worth the hype and the wait... The Rise of Kylo Ren, as a whole, was an incredible story about losing our path. Ben Solo was always meant to fall for the dark because every factor that could've ever changed that worked against him. He didn't have a choice, and at the end, I hope people who didn't believe it before get to understand why his story is so fascinatingly tragic. It was exhilarating, heart-breaking, funny and charming all at once, and that is just a testament to Soule's incredible writing and Sliney's talent to draw.
My only problem with it is that it was too short, and that I would've wished it to be a book series or even a separate film (because c'mon, Adam Driver would've knocked these comics out of the park with his impeccable acting) because I feel there is sooooo much potential in this. But Lucasfilm has proven to be very dumb as of lately so it doesn't really surprise me.
Either way, this was a blast and I'll probably re-read it a 100 times more.
March 11, 2020
oh, you haven't heard the news? that ben solo, son of han and leia, is a good boy that hasn't done a single thing wrong in his life?
i kid, but only half heartedly. this final comic (sigh) is the conclusion to a fantastically put together series that gives us the story of how ben solo became the ~~infamous kylo ren~~.
besides being realistic for the character in conjunction with all of the other information we have about him, the events that take place in this comic series add depth and nuance to a character that is already chock full of it.
this series brought me a lot of pain because i truly love this character with all my heart, and it is incredibly sad to see him go through pain and misery and abuse when i know it all ends in vain. but i'm really glad it exists.
i wish everyone would read it if only to understand his psychology just a bit more, but that's a tall order in a world adamant on reducing characters to archetypes and refusing any semblance of nuance. so, i'll sit here in my corner and enjoy the story for what it is: the story of a boy suffocated by legacy and desperate to be good that was pushed to the dark side at the end anyways.
that is all. time to go cry some more
i kid, but only half heartedly. this final comic (sigh) is the conclusion to a fantastically put together series that gives us the story of how ben solo became the ~~infamous kylo ren~~.
besides being realistic for the character in conjunction with all of the other information we have about him, the events that take place in this comic series add depth and nuance to a character that is already chock full of it.
this series brought me a lot of pain because i truly love this character with all my heart, and it is incredibly sad to see him go through pain and misery and abuse when i know it all ends in vain. but i'm really glad it exists.
i wish everyone would read it if only to understand his psychology just a bit more, but that's a tall order in a world adamant on reducing characters to archetypes and refusing any semblance of nuance. so, i'll sit here in my corner and enjoy the story for what it is: the story of a boy suffocated by legacy and desperate to be good that was pushed to the dark side at the end anyways.
that is all. time to go cry some more
March 23, 2020
In this final issue we finally get to witness the complete downfall of Ben Solo and the rise of Kylo Ren.
Some parts of the issue were predictable while there were other things that occurred that I was not expecting. Some questions were answered but for me I think it raised even more questions, specifically regarding Snoke, Palpatine, and Rey. Hopefully we get more answers on the coming Rise of Skywalker novelization.
I enjoyed the conflict within Ben feeling as if he cannot leave up to what everyone expects of him based on his lineage. That fear is the main catalyst that pushes him over to the darkside. My favorite part of this issue was the ending where he is building his new lightsaber.
Overall this was a great series as we got to learn more of Kylo Ren's backstory but I was still left feeling that it raised more questions that it provided answers.
Check out my video review: https://youtu.be/WwSsZpX90ig
Some parts of the issue were predictable while there were other things that occurred that I was not expecting. Some questions were answered but for me I think it raised even more questions, specifically regarding Snoke, Palpatine, and Rey. Hopefully we get more answers on the coming Rise of Skywalker novelization.
I enjoyed the conflict within Ben feeling as if he cannot leave up to what everyone expects of him based on his lineage. That fear is the main catalyst that pushes him over to the darkside. My favorite part of this issue was the ending where he is building his new lightsaber.
Overall this was a great series as we got to learn more of Kylo Ren's backstory but I was still left feeling that it raised more questions that it provided answers.
Check out my video review: https://youtu.be/WwSsZpX90ig
Read
March 17, 2020The final comic of The Rise of Kylo Ren series... :( IT'S SUPER GREAT! Kylo Ren still needs a kill worthy of entry into the Knights of Ren, and when it finally comes down to his kill, what will happen? Who will he kill? READ IT!
March 17, 2020
je t’aime ben solo
March 17, 2020
4/5 - Really enjoyed this miniseries but it way too "mini". Wish there had been more, but maybe there will be another series or a novel in the future.
March 12, 2020
A very well written and drawn Star Wars series. Answered many questions and still left us wanting more. Still disappointed on how small a role that Luke played in this mini-series. We never got to see what was behind Ben's alienation, why he felt different and why he leaned towards the Dark Side. Certainly hope this is not the last we read of Kylo Ren or Ben Solo.
March 11, 2020
Amazing!
It was great, Kylo ren is my favorite character, along with Ben Solo, and this final issue ties up the rest of the story perfectly!
It was great, Kylo ren is my favorite character, along with Ben Solo, and this final issue ties up the rest of the story perfectly!
March 11, 2020
A solid ending to the series. Overall I’ve really enjoyed The Rise of Kylo Ren and would recommend it to Star Wars fans who want to know more about Kylo’s history.
March 12, 2020
Dyad in the Force.
Rey and Bem are meant to be together.
Rey and Bem are meant to be together.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 11, 2020
It's so damn sad how he was driven down this path
March 11, 2020
WOW
Great series with a great end! It was good to get some extra information on Kylo and the Knights of Ren.
Great series with a great end! It was good to get some extra information on Kylo and the Knights of Ren.
July 28, 2020
PAIN. PAIN, PAIN, AND MORE PAIN.
Ya girl is finally getting around to writing a review of this "sad, beautiful, tragic" comic series (and in the interests of time, I'm just writing one big review and attaching it to the last installment). And y'know what, let's just run with the Taylor Swift song title here; it summarizes things rather nicely.
SAD: This 4-part comic series *quivers* with sorrow for Ben Solo, because...well...the poor boy was tormented by voices in his head his entire boyhood, and nobody seemed to understand that...and yet FOR MOST OF HIS LIFE--FOR A GOOD TWENTY-THREE YEARS--he resisted those voices (as well as a boy could, anyway) and TRIED to be a good Jedi-in-training. For example: the whole sequence of Ben as a boy, traveling with his uncle Luke and the noble Lor San Tekka. (*grabs wildly for the tissues*)
BEAUTIFUL: This series is also just...very aesthetically pleasing? I'm not a comic book reader (which just shows you the things I will do for Ben Solo), so I didn't really expect it to be so detailed and vivid? Or that the artist would do SUCH a remarkable job rendering Adam Driver's facial expressions?? THE TALENT INVOLVED HERE IS JUST--(*chef's kiss*)--FANTASTIC. OH AND ALSO THE REFERENCE TO THE DYAD!!!!!
TRAGIC: Reading this series feels like watching a train wreck...or Hamlet. You know what's going to happen, and it's not going to be good, but that doesn't stop your stomach from sinking right down to your toes when it DOES happen. On the other hand, the final pages make that scene between Ben and Han in "The Rise of Skywalker" even more powerful. I'm all about those Prodigal Son vibes.
Tl;dr? The Rise of Kylo Ren ripped my heart out and stomped on it, but it still proves 1) The Rise of Skywalker turned me into a diehard Ben Solo fan, and 2) I'm willing to shell out good hard cash for Ben Solo Anything, even comic books.
Apologies for the excessive use of all-caps. That just sorta happens whenever I talk about this character now, hehehe.
Ya girl is finally getting around to writing a review of this "sad, beautiful, tragic" comic series (and in the interests of time, I'm just writing one big review and attaching it to the last installment). And y'know what, let's just run with the Taylor Swift song title here; it summarizes things rather nicely.
SAD: This 4-part comic series *quivers* with sorrow for Ben Solo, because...well...the poor boy was tormented by voices in his head his entire boyhood, and nobody seemed to understand that...and yet FOR MOST OF HIS LIFE--FOR A GOOD TWENTY-THREE YEARS--he resisted those voices (as well as a boy could, anyway) and TRIED to be a good Jedi-in-training. For example: the whole sequence of Ben as a boy, traveling with his uncle Luke and the noble Lor San Tekka. (*grabs wildly for the tissues*)
BEAUTIFUL: This series is also just...very aesthetically pleasing? I'm not a comic book reader (which just shows you the things I will do for Ben Solo), so I didn't really expect it to be so detailed and vivid? Or that the artist would do SUCH a remarkable job rendering Adam Driver's facial expressions?? THE TALENT INVOLVED HERE IS JUST--(*chef's kiss*)--FANTASTIC. OH AND ALSO THE REFERENCE TO THE DYAD!!!!!
TRAGIC: Reading this series feels like watching a train wreck...or Hamlet. You know what's going to happen, and it's not going to be good, but that doesn't stop your stomach from sinking right down to your toes when it DOES happen. On the other hand, the final pages make that scene between Ben and Han in "The Rise of Skywalker" even more powerful. I'm all about those Prodigal Son vibes.
Tl;dr? The Rise of Kylo Ren ripped my heart out and stomped on it, but it still proves 1) The Rise of Skywalker turned me into a diehard Ben Solo fan, and 2) I'm willing to shell out good hard cash for Ben Solo Anything, even comic books.
Apologies for the excessive use of all-caps. That just sorta happens whenever I talk about this character now, hehehe.
December 1, 2021
After finally finishing this comic series I had to internally clap and think "The Skywalker clan ladies, lads, and non-binary pals, the ultimate Drama Queens of the entire Star Wars galaxy". We see Ben Solo finally kill his required "good death" person and become the leader of the Knights of Ren. He's here and he's evil, with one twist I can appreciate. He says he was never a person to Luke or Snoke, the was this piece of a legacy and I think that's true. That's why we argued for months over who Rey was related to (I was convinced she was a Kenobi and legit cried when it was revealed she was someone else's granddaughter, like full sobs in a packed theater gods I miss the Before Times) and why the idea of her being from no one made a lot of people angry. Ben Solo was named after two people he didn't ever really know or understand and he was put on a path that wasn't his choice, thus he ran in the opposite direction as fast as he possible could only to end up where he was meant to in the very end.
Skywalkers are such Drama.
Skywalkers are such Drama.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews