A Reader's Guide to Books and Reviews

Title: Star Wars: The Rise Of Kylo Ren (2019-) #3 (of 4)
Author: Charles Soule, Clayton Crain (Cover Art), Will Sliney (Artist)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: February 14, 2020
Book Summary: BEN SOLO, KNIGHT OF REN? Soon, BEN SOLO’S path will end in a place of fire and blood, and a shadow will rise to take his place. He is with the KNIGHTS OF REN now, and they will welcome him, if he can pay their price. But before that destiny is fulfilled, a battle must be fought at an ancient JEDI Outpost on the planet ELPHRODA - between Ben and those who know what he could have been... and fear what he might become. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering. Everyone here is afraid - Ben Solo most of all!
Book Review: Another solid issue for Ben Solo's rise to become Kylo Ren. Soule, who has written many Star Wars comics prior, doesn't deliver something half-full but a complete story that will take you upon a journey of a young man determined to find a place where he belongs. A place where Snoke has wanted him all along and has played into his hands. Ben's rise gives us a glimpse of a boy who feels uncertain of not only himself but of his own abilities.

When Ben finds the Knights of Ren, Ben wants to join their group but Ren is not going to open his arms to welcome Ben right away. No, Ren wants to know what exactly has Ben done to cause any good deaths. Ben tells him of the Jedis he has "killed". Ren wants to know what makes them good deaths. He wants to know how far these deaths have pushed Ben and becomes satisfied with the answer Ben's gives. Ben is going to be given a trial period among the Knights.

This issue was great and although this series is limited to only four issues, It doesn't need to have more added. The simplicity is enough for Ben's integration into the Knights of Ren. Charles Soule has delivered what is needed and his storytelling offers us something we have been wanting to know all along. I will be sad to see this series end soon but it was needed to give Ben's story more depth.

Title: Star Wars: The Rise Of Kylo Ren (2019-) #2 (of 4)
Author: Charles Soule, Clayton Crain (Cover Art), Will Sliney (Artist)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.8/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: January 12, 2020
Book Summary: SNOKE SINKS HIS CLAWS IN! YOUNG BEN SOLO FACES THE KNIGHTS OF REN! With the new jedi school in ruins and fellow students hot on his trail for the murder of their master, Ben Solo flees to the only friend he has left in the galaxy - a man named Snoke. But Snoke has plans for Ben - and ideas about the Force that are as dangerous as they are intriguing for the troubled young jedi. If Ben wishes to be truly free - the answers might lie with the dark side. And with the Knights of Ren! But it won’t be the first time he’s tangled with the Knights. In the past, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker journeys to the Unknown Regions and brings young Ben along for the mission. Can even Luke Skywalker stand against the fabled Knights of Ren?!
Book Review: We have reached book two of the canonical series of Ben Solo's rise to the dark side.

On the mysterious garden planet, Snoke tells Ben that this place was built by people who wanted an oasis of light in "the great shadow" but did not succeed. Ben tells Snoke that he believes that the Knights of Ren could be able to teach him. Snoke agrees but believes that the Knights of Ren may not want to take him on because of his last name. Ben says he hates his name.

A droid appears and tells Snoke that there is an incoming call from General Brendol Hux. Snoke informs the droid to explain that he cannot take the call from Hux at the moment. Ben inquires who Hux is but Snoke tells him that Ben is not his only friend. Snoke continues to inquire about Ben's true name as once he has embraced the Dark Side that only his true name will have. Snoke senses the name Ben has in mind and praises it but Ben disagrees that it was a name he has contemplated as a child. Snoke agrees and says that is why it is correct because children's thoughts are pure and they do not deceive.

Snoke theorizes that the Knights could be the ones to help Ben in becoming his true self. Ben asks if Snoke knows where they may be but Snoke tells him that he will have to find them on his own. He would have to go back to the place where he once saw them the first time but he also warns that he cannot fail to join the Knights because to fail would mean his own death.

There is a change of scene to years earlier where we find Luke, Ben, and Lor San Tekka are on a starship. They are heading toward a Jedi Outpost on Elphrona. Luke asks Tekka if he is certain that a Jedi outpost would be located so far away from the Core Worlds. Tekka answers that during his travels, he has learned to recognize a description of a Jedi outpost. It is at this moment that Snoke contacts Ben and asks if he is okay. Ben answers that they are headed toward an Outpost on the edge of the Outer Rim to find "junk Master Luke will lock away in his temple and never use." Ben is also frustrated because Luke is not allowing him to reach his full potential as a force wielder.

Once inside, they note the temple seems to have a lot of artifacts in place. Luke, however, warns Ben to be careful with what they touch and tells him of the time where he found a lightsaber that sprung a trap.

Luke finds a Jedi holocron while Ben discovers a lightsaber rifle. It is at this moment where Jedi and Padawan sense a presence. They turn and find the Knights of Ren right before them. The leader of the Knights, Ren, tells them that all within the temple belongs to him. Luke retorts and tells Ren that the stuff belongs to him as he is the last of the Jedi. Ren turns to the Knights and tells them they are going to get what they came for and ignites his lightsaber. Luke tells Tekka to stay out of it and he orders Ben to watch over him. Tekka protests and tells him that he won't be able to take them on his own but Luke ignites his own lightsaber, telling him that he will do fine.

Ren orders his Knights to attack Luke. Dodging their attacks, Luke uses the force to repel the Knights back away from him. Tekka marvels at Luke's ability while Luke inquires whether or not the Knights have had enough. Ren answers that he still has numbers on his side. Ren turns on the lightsaber and tells Luke that if this lightsaber leaves his hand, it will explode. He also makes note of the dark side within Ben. Luke orders that Ren and his Knights leave. Ren agrees to do so but not before removing his mask and telling Ben should he wish to explore his dark side to feel free to contact them.

The issue returns to the present. Ben has returned to the Jedi Outpost where he finds the discarded mask and puts it on. The transmission inside tells him that he would find Ren and the Knights on Vanrak.

This issue offered a lot more of Ben and that of his past. Although not entirely enough of it but just enough to give the readers a glimpse of Ben's past. A taste, if you want to put it another way. Ben's character feels a bit of a selfish boy but that can seem to be because of the large looming shadow cast from his famous Uncle Luke. I am only assuming that due to this, Ben feels that because Luke did not give him enough training, he thinks the Ren and his Knights would give him what he needs and perhaps even allow him more of a chance to shine outside Luke's looming shadow.

I am quite looking forward to seeing how the next issue plays out and see how the rest of Ben's past and present shape into Kylo Ren.

Title: Star Wars: The Rise Of Kylo Ren (2019-) #1 (of 4)
Author: Charles Soule, Will Sliney (Illustrations)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.8/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: December 26, 2019
Book Summary: WITH BEN SOLO’S FALL… COMES KYLO REN’S RISE! Young Ben Solo is legendary Jedi Luke Skywalker’s most promising pupil. As the son of Rebel Alliance heroes Leia Organa and Han Solo, as well as Luke’s own nephew, Ben has the potential to be a great force for light in the galaxy. But the Skywalker legacy casts a long shadow, the currents of the dark side run deep, and Darth Vader’s blood runs in Ben’s veins. Voices call from both his past and his future, telling him who he must be. He will shatter, he will be reforged, his destiny will be revealed. Snoke awaits. The Knights of Ren await. Ben Solo’s path to his true self begins here.
Book Review: Before I begin, always note that there will be spoilers ahead. If you have not read the comic yet than please take a moment to stop here and continue no further. Otherwise you are going to be spoiled completely and any complaints about it will be ignored.

For years, there has been questions of how Ben Solo became Kylo Ren and now the wait is no more. Here we are about to learn the story of how it all came to be.

Before Ben being the Leader of the Knights, there was a man called Ren. We find him and his knights on a snowy planet looking for two brothers. Apparently these two brothers have killed quite a number of people. The reason behind their search is because Ren has heard that these two have the ability to use "The Shadow", another name for the Force. It is apparent that Ren is seeking these brothers because of their ability of being Force sensitive. Unfortunately one of the brothers kills the other but the problem with that is that the killer brother kills the one who is Force sensitive. Ren ends up killing him.

Our scene changes to Ben. We find Luke's temple on fire. Ben is watching the fire engulf the main Temple building. It is at this moment three of Luke's students appear having returned from a mission. They sense Ben and feel that the destruction of the Temple has taken their mentor. The three of them each take on Ben but find themselves easily defeated by Ben. Ben could easily have killed them but decides to leave them all alive. It seems to be at this point that Ben leaves. He is met by his droid, GeeGee, whom inquires of his destination. The droid makes the suggestion of Hosnian Prime but Ben doesn't want to face his mother.

Once more we get a flashback and this takes place prior to the destruction of Luke's Temple. Luke has attacked Ben and Ben has brought down the hut they were in. We learn Ben has been "spoken to" by the disembodied voice of Snoke. Yep all this time we are learning that it Ben's seduction to the Dark Side has been going for quite some time. Snoke then takes it upon himself to kill all the students of Luke's Temple and destroy the Temple itself. So it was never Ben whom did the killing nor the destruction. It had been Snoke all along. But Snoke blames Luke for it and Ben ends up believing this lie.

As we return to the present Ben, his ship lands on a mysterious garden planet. Here is where he meets Snoke. Here Snoke appears to Ben as a simple farmer. It is at this moment we find that Ben has an interest in the Knights of Ren.

So we are finally going to get to see what exactly happened to Ben and how he becomes the person he is in the Force Awakens. I always liked knowing the backstory to a character and Ben's character has been one I would have loved to know. How is he got his hands on Vader's burnt mask and why his sudden interest in the Knights of Ren? I am hoping we do get a lot of answers. I have always enjoyed Charles Soule's incredible ability to weave a story. His Vader stories have been a favorite of mine to date and I hoping that this will continue in this one.

Title: Merry X-Men Holiday Special (2018) #1 (X-Men: One-Shots)
Author: Charlamagne Tha God, Chris Sims, Chad Bowers, Ed Brisson, Matthew Rosenberg, Kelly Thompson, Rainbow Rowell, Charles Soule
Format: Epub
Rating: 2.5/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: December 10, 2018
Book Summary: Twenty-five holiday tales of merry mutants, one for each day of December 1 through December 25! What does Magneto do for Hanukkah? What’s Rogue and Gambit’s first married Christmas like? Is Jubilee truly the master of navigating malls during the holidays? These questions and more are answered as all your favorite X-Men and more creators than you can shake a jingle bell at come together for a holiday celebration to last all month long!
Book Review: Okay so I picked this one because it really seemed kinda cute and I have always wanted to see what the X-Men do during the holidays. Unfortunately I must say I was a bit disappointed in this.

These stories follow a sort of advent calendar and deal with each X-Men during a time period. Although some of the stories are great (i.e. Gambit and Rogue) and some of them just felt sort of rushed or fell really short in their storytelling.

This is a really nice addition to any collection but it is more of a one-read and kept nicely packaged in your boxes.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #23 (Darth Vader (2017) (Single Issues) #23)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Elia Bonetti (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: December 1st, 2018
Book Summary: “FORTRESS VADER” - PART 5 Darkness rises above MUSTAFAR as the brutal designs of LORD MOMIN begin to take shape. But the planet’s inhabitants cannot take this desecration lightly, and shape plans of their own.
Book Review: Darth Vader is on a mission and that mission is to bring back his beloved Padme to him. All this started when his master, Palpatine, gifted Vader with a ship that once belonged to his wife. Palpatine has also allowed Vader to build his own castle and Vader has chosen the place where not only he had been defeated by Obi-Wan so long ago but also the place where Darth Vader had been born.

While there, he found a strange helmet where he learned that it had once belonged to Lord Momin. At one time, Momin had been one of the most dangerous men in the galaxy. He was once strong with the Force but now he is a lost soul connected to a helmet waiting to do the bidding of his master.

But he has promised that he can bring back Padme to Vader.

Calling it his "Masterpiece", Momin has built a temple to bring back Padme. Vader uses the temple to open door into the Force. He nearly succeeds but in the end it is not enough and nearly destroys Mustarfar. For Vader, this is the fifth time that Momin has failed him.

Suddenly a giant monster comes out of the lava and attacks the stormtroopers. The indigenous people are pleased. They do not like the idea of their home world being used as they are doing so. They are easily taken care of.

As Vader watches his castle being built, he tells Momin that there will be no tenth chance to do it over again. Vader has pretty much lost his patience of gaining back Padme and Momin knows this. So Momin prays as Vader once more opens a door in the Force.

He is interrupted by the fleas of Mustarfar. The Stormtroopers engage in a fight with them as Momin walks off but not before telling them to get it done and he didn't care how they did it.

Once again Vader tries to open the door to the Force. And again Vader is interrupted by the arrival of more fleas. He leaves the chambers of the temple and goes out only to find that Momin has betrayed him. Vader is angry at this but before he can go confront Momin, an explosion throws him toward his death.

Inside the temple chamber, Momin is greeting his body and comes out wielding both lightsabers.



This series has been great. I absolutely love the idea that there is still a major part of Anakin that has not actually died. I mean if you consider it, Vader would have never bothered with toying the idea of bringing back Padme to him. In fact, I believe regardless of what Vader says and does that Anakin is still there but it would take a lot of effort to reach the former Jedi.

Unfortunately now Vader has other things that he will have to deal with and one of them is Momin. Momin was not actually building Vader anything. It was more for himself and trying to regain back his former self from deep within the force. Without a corporal body, Momin was stuck attached to the helmet. He knew that by giving Vader a false that he could bring back Padme through the force, he would have his chance when the time came to reclaim his body from the force as well. But the thing is Momin really had no intention of bringing back Padme for Vader.

So what does this mean? Vader is going to have himself a dogfight on his hands against Momin and I am seriously looking forward to seeing how exactly Vader comes out of this fight.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #21
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Elia Bonetti (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: September 17, 2018
Book Summary: DARTH VADER returns to the place of his birth as he seeks the path to his destiny. Echoes from the past reach out to him — both from his own, and from the dark history of the SITH.
Book Review: In our last issue Vader was less than pleased with the gift given to him by the Emperor. In fact, he was downright angry over it. He may not have shown his rage towards his mentor but it was certainly felt. Vader did not appreciate the fact that the gift pretty much reminded him over his human past but it was accepted nevertheless.

Now we find Vader is on his way to the volcanic moon named Mustafar. With him are two members of a design team. Vader has given his team no plans nor has he offered any sort any idea of what exactly Vader wants for his fortress. So now they have to figure something out and come up with an image that will make Vader pleased.

Also with Vader is the Mask of Lord Momin once belonging to a Sith of long past. The problem with this mask is that anyone whom comes into possession of it ends up becoming the possessed. Unfortunately the mask ends up coming into the hands of Lieutenant Roggo whom ends up killing Colonel Brenne. Before Vader kills Roggo, the mask seemed to inspire him in some way for Vader's Fortress. This design seems to appease Vader.

This series continues to deliver when it comes to Vader. Vader has always been a complex and fascinating villain in the Star Wars universe. There is so much to him now that he is wearing a mask. You don't get to see what sort of expressions are playing upon his face but you can feel it is in his stance.

There might not be any combat in this issue, there is still plenty of action. Plus on top of it we are getting to see the mask in a bit of action but my question is: what does Vader plan to do with the mask? I suppose that answer is coming in the next issue. :D

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #18 (Darth Vader (2017) (Single Issues) #18)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Elia Bonetti (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: July 23, 2018
Book Summary: It is time for GRAND MOFF TARKIN to repay a long-standing debt to DARTH VADER…and settling what is owed will require every last bit of his cunning, and will cost more than he ever imagined.
Book Review: This was a rather interesting one-shot in a series.

Vader is being hunted by Tarkin - at the request of the Sith Lord. A favor returned for the events played out in the last issue.

This was another excellent issue. Tarkin continues to prove to be quite the tactical mind and his presence in these comics have been superb. In past issues, we have seen Tarkin weigh the opinions of his officers instead of going off and doing his own thing. These issues have shown the reason that the Emperor has placed him in command of his own vessel.

As for Vader, Vader continues to grow in these issues. We have already seen him shed off the last remanants of his humanity and become what he is really known for - being the most feared Sith Lord in the galaxy.

I love this issue. I am well aware that the fighting was minimal but it is still one of the most interesting. Again it felt more of a "What if" issue than anything. Vader has fallen from grace...Tarkin sent out to punish Vader but then we actually realize that this was the promise kept by Tarkin for the orders on Mon Cala.

These issues continue to give us an insight into Vader's rise and I am quite looking forward to these issues going into Rogue One storyline and then into A New Hope.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #16 (Darth Vader (2017-) (Single Issues) #16)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.9/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: May 13, 2018
Book Summary: Vader and his Inquisitors lead an elite squad of clone troopers to flush out the Jedi traitor beneath the waters of Mon Cala…and the oceans will burn with their fury.
Book Review: There are some really good series out there in the comicverse and then there are some really great series like this one that continues to give the readers exactly what they want.

Although the Jedi haven't had a real big front seat in this series during Vader's extermination of them, this one becomes a bit of a game changer in that. Here we find the Jedi taking center stage during a rough time on a planet that has gone to war against the Empire. Much like the occupants of this planet, the Jedi are doing everything to avoid being exterminated even going as far as to go underground to hide.

But when the Empire is determined to find you and eliminate you, then it becomes only a matter of time before you forced to face off against a former Jedi-turned-Sith Lord.

As for Vader himself, he is much more brutal in this issue as he hunts for his intended prey and when he finds them, he uses the force to take them out. He doesn't even have to move from the protective shell that keeps him from drowning to do damage. Yet as he is hunting down the main Jedi to take him out, he is requested by Tarkin to do something else. Of course Vader is Vader and he hates taking orders from someone else but yet he agrees and sets his Inquistors out to capture the main Jedi while he heads out to get the King of the Mon Cala.

I like Tarkin's character in these fellow issues. It is great seeing him more in a bit of a bigger role than what we are normally used to with the movies. His appearances may be here and there but it gives us a more interesting look at his character. We have seen him hold counsel with his officers and take in advice from them. He seems to treat them a bit of an equal but there doesn't seem to be any lost for Vader. There relationship is cordial at best and although Vader hates to be ordered by him, he does do what he asks. So this our first glimpse of their working relationship.

This series continues to show us Vader as he grows not only in his role as a Sith Lord but what he is actually capable of. He has sense shook off the last remaining bits of his humanity and has become exactly what Palpatine has wanted.

I love this series. The storylines are never boring and Vader continues to entertain. Maybe I am a bit biased as Vader has always been my favorite villain but I have yet to come across an issue that I haven't liked. I am really looking forward to further issues of this series.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #14 (Darth Vader (2017-) (Single Issues) #14)
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator), Elia Bonetti (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.95/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: April 18, 2018
Book Summary: As the Emperor grip tightens on the galaxy, no tolerance for rebellion can be afforded… especially not when being fomented by a surviving Jedi on Mon Cala.
Book Review: This series just keeps getting better and better as it picks up from the last issue.

Vader's arrival on Mon Cala is not only to make the occupants of the planet bend to the will of the Emperor but he is also here to find any remaining Jedi that has sought refuge from the Empire. With him are two of the Inquistors - The Ninth Sister and Tenth Brother.

Recently in previous issues, an ambassador belonging to General Tarkin was killed when his ship blew up mid-air. This has brought down the wrath of the Empire upon the watery planet. Although Vader is there to see to it that the occupants of the planet obey the Empire, he is also there because of other Jedi operating still.

The Jedi are hiding in what looks like a cave. The head of them knows exactly whom Vader really is and reveals that to those within the cave. He tells them of Anakin Skywalker, whom had been the chosen one to set the balance to the force but ended up tiping it in favor of becoming a powerful sith named Darth Vader. The Jedi removes the hood of his cloak and reveals himself to be Master Barr.

The rest of the issue is a big surprise and we can say that the cover will tell you exactly what sort of happens at the end with Vader. I don't want to say anything at this point.

This series continues to get better with each issue. There really is no action until nearly the very end of this issue as we are left with a sort of cliffhanger to make us look forward to the next issue. Still this series continues to offer us a lot more in the life of Vader prior to the beginning of the Rebellion as well as Rebels and Episode 4. Does this mean any of the other characters will pop up? I am quite sure they will in time. We do get to see a young General Ackbar in this issue.

For now until next month, we must be satisfied with the knowledge that this series continues to delight Star Wars fans from all over and even more those who are fans of Darth Vader and have always been curious as to what he did between Episode 3 and 4.

Title: Darth Vader (2017-) #11
Author: Charles Soule, Giuseppe Camuncoli (Illustrator)
Format: Epub
Rating: 4.95/5
Status: Finished
Reading Date: February 14, 2018
Book Summary: An expensive bounty has been put on Vader’s head! Who would dare try to challenge the Dark Lord’s place in the Empire?
Book Review: This issue sets up Vader's next adventure. This time he has a bounty on his head and the bounty hunters have all come to collect. Too bad their target is not that easy to catch and certainly being on his bad side is not something you want nor do you want him chasing after you.

Vader has been tipped off that a Jedi is in this bar. With him, a minion named The Ninth Sister. As Vader goes in to find his targeted Jedi, he finds himself surrounded by bounty hunters who have been told that there is a bounty on his head. Of course, Vader is not so easy to capture and he turns the tables on this hunters until he corners them, only to find that this bounty on him goes all the way to the top.

So what does that mean for Vader? Well we won't find out until the next issue. Certainly it does set up the next issue and will make the reader exactly wonder why such a bounty has been placed. I have always wondered if Palpatine was afraid of Vader. I mean if these comics are canon, I can see why. I mean Vader has the ability to become even more powerful than what Palpatine is. I would think that having groomed Vader that Palpatine must have felt in some way or another a fear that his own apprentice could turn on him as he did with his own master. Certainly this would be interesting to see especially to see how the Star Wars universe would have turned out if this had happened before episode IV.

This was a great issue. I have to admit I am always excited when I know Vader's issue is coming out. He has always been a fascinating character and I love what Charles is doing with him. I cannot wait for next month's issue.