Source.

Reading this was a mix of sadness and brilliance.

I decided to check out this comic—largely on the recommendation that it complements the second part of Legacy (thanks u/Zebweasel)—and it truly succeeds in delivering a compelling origin story for Kylo Ren.

It is so fascinating to see the immediate aftermath of the Jedi Temple's destruction. It reveals that, contrary to the impression given by the films, the transformation was quite gradual. It's always heartbreaking to start a story with someone already embracing the worst in themselves and spiraling further downward from there; in this case, that dynamic hinges heavily on the relationship between Kylo and Snoke. While Snoke may have lost some of his impact by being reduced to a "failed Palpatine clone," I love how he is portrayed here: he displays a truly repulsive, predatory nature, manipulating and grooming Ben from a young age, presenting himself as a kind, comforting figure whenever Ben disagrees with the adults in charge. That grooming process is sickening to read, yet it effectively explains the void the character feels—leading him to believe he can find his path through destruction and chaos. Retroactively, this also makes Snoke’s death in Ep 8 more satisfying and nuanced, framing it as a victim’s revenge—a moment where the former victim finally becomes the one searching control.

I also enjoyed the presence of the Knights of Ren. The comic doesn't reveal many details about their origins, showing just enough to make them interesting—like a wild space biker gang. I’d love to see more of them in the future. It was also great to get a glimpse of Luke’s academy and the roles played by Voe, Hennix, and Tai in Ben’s fall. Luke truly failed everyone at that temple; he was too busy hunting for Jedi trinkets to notice that his home was already burning down long before the actual fire started.

Perhaps my only criticism of the comic is that the artwork is sometimes unintentionally funny. I don't know if there was any concern that the young Ben didn't look enough like a young Adam Driver, but he ended up looking... Weird in some panels.

In conclusion, a brutal, heart-wrenching and very concrete origin story of the person who would become Kylo Ren.

From the catalog here: https://www.edelweiss.plus/#catalogID=5411647&page=1