Comic Review: Legacy of Vader #7 – Kylo Ren vs Order 66

Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Luke Ross
Colors: Nolan Woodard

Publisher summary:
KYLO REN TAKES ON A SURVIVOR OF ORDER 66! On a distant, snow-covered planet, KYLO REN has met his match against former JEDI GRANDEA! Witness flashbacks to the CLONE WARS ERA and GRANDEA’s daring use of the FORCE in the face of ultimate betrayal! Will the survivor of the worst tragedy to befall the Jedi be able to change Kylo’s evil ways?

Marvel Comics

Why it matters:
Kylo’s quest through his past finally intersects with Order 66. One of the biggest moments in Jedi history becomes a lesson for the aspiring Supreme Leader as he learns that not every problem can be solved with anger..

Key moments:

• Order 66: Despite the heavy tone associated with it, there’s nothing more exciting in Star Wars than revisiting the Jedi Purge. Grandea is yet another newly introduced survivor of Order 66, but her story is a remarkably fresh take on the Jedi-in-Exile arc.

• Dark Side Arrogance: Luke Skywalker once told the Emperor: “Your overconfidence is your weakness.” That theme is fully on display as Kylo Ren is again reminded how little experience he still has.

Marvel Comics

The big picture:
No quest through the history of the Jedi is complete without a dive into Order 66. The books and comics have become notable for introducing a growing number of new survivors, yet somehow it always makes for a great story. Charles Soule turns a familiar concept into one of the best former Jedi stories to date.

Grandea’s tale, built around the Jedi Mind Trick, is a compelling and unique one. More than that, though, her history and view of the Force is a direct contrast to Kylo’s approach of pure aggression. She’s a foil to Kylo in the same way that Obi-Wan was to Vader in A New Hope, but the inexperienced Kylo Ren has a tougher time handling the lesson.

Legacy of Vader has been a refreshing exploration into the Sequel Era. Soule and Ross deliver another amazing entry - possibly their best yet - by tying Kylo Ren into the history of the Jedi Order.

Our rating: Masterpiece

What’s next: Legacy of Vader #8 - featuring the Knights of Ren - hits comic book stores on September 3rd.

For a deeper discussion of this issue, be sure to check out this week’s episode of The Cosmic Force podcast!