WARNING! This article contains spoilers to Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker #4

The deaths of legacy heroes who have been a staple in pop culture history often carry irreversible weight, shaping the entirety of the franchise and echoing long after their final moments. In Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Luke Skywalker's death was a poignant act of sacrifice. Now, six years later, a new comic adaptation unveils Leia Organa's final words, offering a remarkable parallel that enriches both characters' legacies.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #4, written by Jody Ho with art by Will Sliney, delves deeper into Leia's last moments, offering new dialogue that redefines her sacrifice, enhances the meaning behind her death, and hones in on the impact of her enduring love for her son.

This issue provides a crucial recontextualization for Leia that the film did not capture, partly due to Carrie Fisher’s untimely ing. Leia's death, as portrayed in the comic, becomes a direct mirror to Luke's, but with a unique and powerful twist that highlights the distinct ways in which the Skywalker twins confronted the darkness inside Kylo Ren.

Leia's Final Act Is A Direct Contrast To Luke's Illusion

Star Wars:The Rise of Skywalker, Written By Jody Ho With Art By Will Sliney

The Rise of Skywalker #4

Luke Skywalker's death in The Last Jedi was an act of non-violent resistance, where he projected a Force illusion of himself to confront his nephew, Kylo Ren, in order to secure an escape route for the Resistance. In The Rise of Skywalker #4, the new reveal of Leia's final moments offers a direct and powerful counterpoint to this. As she reaches out to her son, Ben Solo, she tells him, "I'll be with you until the end.” This isn't a fake presence to deter evil; it's a genuine Force connection to encourage good, demonstrating her unwavering faith in his redemption.

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Leia's "death" in The Rise of Skywalker wasn't final; she became a Force presence, spiritually guiding Ben to his ultimate redemption.

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This new dialogue fundamentally shifts the understanding of Leia's sacrifice. While Luke used the Force to fake being with Kylo Ren for a fleeting moment to stop him, Leia uses the Force to actually be there for Ben, guiding his return to the light. Her words imply a continued spiritual presence with her son; a guiding force that transcends physical death. This subtle yet significant difference highlights the unique strengths of each Skywalker twin: Luke's strategic heroism and Leia's enduring, comionate love.

Leia's Sacrifice Echoes Through Ben's Redemption

In Death, Leia Was Able To Finally Bring Her Son Back

Luke's sacrifice bought the Resistance precious time, a crucial defensive act. Leia's, however, is an offensive act of love that seeks to restore. By connecting with Ben in his darkest hour, she plants the seed of his redemption, empowering him to turn away from Palpatine's influence. Maz Kanata's earlier words to Leia in the comic, “You are the one who was strong enough to stay,” foreshadow this ultimate act of unwavering commitment and a testament to a mother’s love. Leia's final words to Ben are not a farewell, but a promise of continued through the Force.

It is Leia's spiritual embrace that allows Ben to finally shed the Kylo Ren persona and return to the light side of the Force, enabling him to confront Palpatine alongside Rey.

The immediate aftermath of Leia's death in the comic, with Ben visibly shaken, underscores the impact of Leia's final connection with her son. It is Leia's spiritual embrace that allows Ben to finally shed the Kylo Ren persona and return to the light side of the Force, enabling him to confront Palpatine alongside Rey. This makes Leia Organa’s death not just an ending, but a catalyst for the ultimate victory over evil, a powerful testament to her love and belief in her son.

  • Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia Organa in Star Wars
    Alias
    Boushh
    Created By
    George Lucas
    Franchise
    Star Wars
    Died
    Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise Of Skywalker
    Race
    Human
    Movies
    Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story

    The daughter of Anakin Skywalker and Pé Amidala, Leia inherited her mother's political skills and her father's Force power. She was raised on Alderaan as a member of the royal family, and followed in her father's footsteps by becoming a senator who secretly worked alongside the Rebel Alliance. Alderaan's destruction changed everything, and Leia became a leader in both the Rebel Alliance and its successor government, the New Republic. She served there for decades, eventually leaving to found the First Order when she sensed its darkness growing. Leia gave much for her ideals, but eventually gave her life to redeem her son Ben.

  • Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker In Star Wars Return of the Jedi
    Created By
    George Lucas
    Franchise
    Star Wars
    Died
    Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi
    Race
    Human
    Movies
    Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi, Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens, Star Wars: Episode VIII - The Last Jedi, Star Wars: Episode IX- The Rise of Skywalker
    TV Shows
    The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi

    The son of Anakin Skywalker and Pé Amidala, Luke was brought up on the desert planet Tatooine. Initially mentored by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke fired the fateful shot that destroyed the Death Star, and he became a rebel hero. Despite the fears of Obi-Wan and Yoda, Luke's faith in his father was proved well-founded when Vader returned to the light. With the Emperor defeated, Luke dedicated himself to bringing back the Jedi; his first attempt ended in tragedy due to Palpatine's manipulations, but Luke's legacy lives on in Rey.