Warning: Spoilers for Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1Kylo Ren modeled his life after his maternal grandfather, Darth Vader. However, it is not clear how much Kylo Ren actually knows about Darth Vader or Anakin Skywalker. While it’s clear that the two could never have met during Vader’s lifetime, an comic may be gearing up to change that.

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1 by Charles Soule and Luke Ross shows that Kylo Ren has no grasp on who his grandfather was before he became Darth Vader, but the new series may be setting up a chance encounter between grandfather and grandson that will provide more context to Kylo Ren’s actions in The Rise of Skywalker.

Though Kylo Ren looks at his grandfather as a source of inspiration for his life and journey to power through the Dark Side, his sole focus is on Vader as a Sith Lord and architect of the Empire. The new series may let Kylo in on some "secrets" about Anakin's past.

Legacy of Vader Sets the Stage for Kylo Ren to Finally Learn Who Anakin Really Was

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1 by Charles Soule, Luke Ross, Nolan Woodard, and Joe Caramagna

Fans will always wonder what Anakin would have said if he could have spoken to his grandson about the dark road he was traveling before The Rise of Skywalker. Legacy of Vader sets the stage for that question to be answered with the introduction of Vaneé, Vader’s former assistant on Mustafar. Vaneé previously appeared in the 2021 miniseries Star Wars Adventures: Ghosts of Vader’s Castle by Cavan Scott, sco Francavilla, and more, wherein he took hostages in an attempt to bring back his master. His plan was foiled when Anakin’s ghost aided the hostages.

Anakin meeting Kylo Ren and shedding light on how his own choices led him to the Dark Side would provide great context for Kylo’s actions in The Rise of Skywalker.

In Legacy of Vader #1, Kylo Ren starts to trace his grandfather’s footsteps, beginning in Mustafar. Kylo reaches the fortress, intending to destroy it, but is stopped by Vaneé, who instead offers to teach the wayward Skywalker about his grandfather. If Legacy of Vader plans to follow in a similar vein as Star Wars Adventures: Ghosts of Vader’s Castle, then a ghost version of Anakin appearing to his grandson is entirely possible. Anakin meeting Kylo Ren and shedding light on how his own choices led him to the Dark Side would provide great context for Kylo’s actions in The Rise of Skywalker.

Will Anakin Get the Chance to Provide His Grandson With Insight About His Past?

The Family Reunion Would Finally Teach Kylo Ren the Truth

Throughout Legacy of Vader #1, Kylo constantly reminds himself to “let the past die,” which is in fact the opposite of what Anakin - and later, Vader - did. Anakin’s inability to let go of his personal past connections, especially his mother, fueled the emotions that eventually led to his fall to the Dark Side. However, despite differences in how they approach the past, Anakin and Kylo Ren were both on the same path to darkness; Kylo Ren even more so, as he proclaims himself as Supreme Leader in Legacy of Vader #1.

Anakin has a full life of experience to share with his grandson, including all the pitfalls and mistakes that led to his life as Darth Vader. By shedding light on his own past choices, Anakin’s guidance would lead to more doubt in Kylo Ren’s mind about whether his own course is the correct one. Ultimately, Kylo Ren’s redemption in The Rise of Skywalker would be more meaningful - both on a personal level and as Anakin’s grandson - if Anakin is able to talk to his grandson and teach him how to learn from the past instead of fearing it.

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #1 is available now from Marvel Comics.

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  Ben Solo/Kylo Ren

  The son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, Ben was manipulated by Palpatine through the Force for most of his life, influenced toward the dark side of the Force. A misstep by Luke Skywalker ultimately left Ben feeling he had no choice but to embrace the dark side, and he became Kylo Ren, a key figure in the First Order. Kylo Ren's heart remained deeply divided, however, even after he ascended to become Supreme Leader of the First Order. He was ultimately redeemed by Rey, with whom he shared a remarkable Force bond, and by the love of his parents.
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  Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader

  Conceived by the will of the Force itself, Anakin Skywalker was the prophesied Chosen One, destined to bring the Force into balance. Anakin struggled to balance competing attachments to the Jedi Order and his wife Pé Amidala, and ultimately fell to the dark side, becoming Darth Vader. For years he served as Palpatine's right hand man, but he was ultimately redeemed by the faith of his son, Luke Skywalker. Now a Force Ghost, Anakin continues to act as an agent of balance.