Uncovering the Shocking Events of 'Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren' #1

Warning! This article contains spoilers for STAR WARS: THE RISE OF KYLO REN #1, so read on at your own risk....

How did Ben Solo—a gifted Jedi student under the tutelage of Luke Skywalker—become Kylo Ren, the Dark Side apprentice to Supreme Leader Snoke?

Writer Charles Soule and artist Will Sliney are looking to answer that very question in a brand-new comic book series, STAR WARS: THE RISE OF KYLO REN.

With issue #2 on stands now, we here at Marvel.com decided to indulge in a Spoiler Session for the first issue. Join us as we unpack the biggest happenings in the galaxy far, far away.

We open “long ago” with a shirtless, cape-wearing, mask-covered warrior, who calls himself “Ren.” This is not Kylo Ren, but the leading member of the famous Knights of Ren. The warrior meets with two brothers—Karrst and Filin—on a recruiting mission for the Knights. Karrst has the ability to “touch the shadow,” which seems to be a way of saying that he’s able to tap into the Force.

The Knights want Karrst to join their ranks, but they require a sacrifice first: Filin. Before Karrst has time to think, however, he’s gunned down by Filin instead. Filin wants to join the Knights, but there’s just one problem…he can’t touch the shadow. Thus, the Knights want nothing to do with him, and they execute Filin.

We then jump forward in time to Luke Skywalker’s Jedi temple just moments after Ben Solo awoke to find his uncle standing over him, seemingly ready to kill him with his laser sword. As we know from the events of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Luke ultimately chose not to harm his nephew, but the damage was done. That one moment of weakness was enough to drive Ben over the edge—and, eventually, push Luke into exile.

As young Solo stands in front of the burning wreck of the destroyed Jedi temple, three of Luke’s other students—Hennix, Tai, and Voe—return from a mission in space. Horrified at what they have returned to, the trio tries to make sense of the situation. They refuse to believe that Luke tried to kill his nephew and insist that there has to be a better explanation.

Ben proclaims that he was the strongest out of his fellow students and even claims to be more powerful than Skywalker himself. He then says he’s leaving, which Hennix, Tai, and Voe won’t allow. They activate their lightsabers, ready for a battle, but Solo makes short work of them with his Force powers. Hennix is then struck by a piece of shrapnel and is seriously injured.

Ben takes off on his ship with a protocol droid named Geegee. Tai and Voe take Hennix to a medical bay on another ship. But, hoping to catch Ben before he escapes, Voe starts the ship and gives chase. But Ben is the child of one of the greatest pilots the galaxy’s ever seen, and he easily outmaneuvers them before disabling their ship with a blast to the engine.

Tai suggests telling Ben’s mother, Senator Leia Organa, about what happened, but Hennix shoots down the idea. Voe adds that they need to find out the truth before involving anyone else.

Meanwhile, Ben gets mentally pinged by Snoke who stokes the boy’s anger and uncertainty. He says that Luke tried to kill Ben because Luke was afraid of his nephew’s power. Ben heads to Snoke’s creepy space terrarium and the two speak about Luke; Ben claims to have killed his uncle, but Snoke posits that the Jedi Master “will not die easily.”

He then asks Ben what he will do now that he is free. The issue closes with Ben stating that he’s been thinking…about the Knights of Ren.

Read STAR WARS: THE RISE OF KYLO REN #1 and #2 at your local comic shop now!