Comic Review: Legacy of Vader #9 – Ren versus Ren!
Kylo Ren’s past comes back to fight him. Can he handle the new leader of the Knights of Ren?
By
Oct 15, 2025
Marvel Comics/Youtini Illustration
Note: This article may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you purchase through them at no extra cost to you. See our disclaimers for more information.
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Stefano Raffaele
Colors: Nolan Woodard
Publisher summary:
KYLO REN VS. TAVA REN! TAVA REN begins her attempt to overthrow KYLO REN as leader! Will KYLO REN be able to withstand the onslaught from this enigmatic new foe??
Marvel Comics
Why it matters: Kylo Ren faces another roadblock in his quest for power. He wants to let the past die, but he still can’t escape the Knights of Ren he left behind years ago.
Key moments:
Dark Side Battle: Tava Ren offers Kylo the rare opportunity to fight with an equal. The duel of red blades is intense with stunning action from Stefano Raffaele.
Self doubt: Even as Supreme Leader, Kylo still isn’t sure about his place in the galaxy. Tava’s presence makes him question if he’s really going down the right path, teasing the struggle we see in The Rise of Skywalker.
The Knights of Who?: The Knights of Ren are still a mostly unknown entity. Charles Soule digs a little more into their backstory, fleshing out why they’re so dependent on Kylo - and why he can’t seem to leave them behind.
The big picture:
Legacy of Vader has taken Kylo Ren on a run of greatest hits as he explores Vader’s past. The entire story has been thrilling, but this is perhaps the best stop on his journey yet. Rather than relying on his grandfather’s life to influence his story, Kylo faces off with a villain who is explicitly his own. Tava represents a past he cannot escape, making him question everything he’s built himself up to be. Like Rey, her pull on him catches him off guard, and he unsurprisingly does not respond well to the challenge.
Once again, Charles Soule knocks it out of the park. More development for these characters is always welcome, and this issue was one of the best looks we’ve ever gotten at what Kylo is going through. Given the casual disregard he has for death and destruction, it’s hard to call Kylo sympathetic, but there are glimpses of doubt in him that tie the angry Supreme Leader from The Last Jedi to the reformed Ben Solo in The Rise of Skywalker.
Our rating: Masterpiece
What’s next: Kylo Ren heads to Mustafar in Legacy of Vader #10 - in stores November 5th.
For a deeper discussion of this issue, be sure to check out this week’s episode of The Cosmic Force podcast!
Oz Davis is a Content Creator at Youtini and co-host of The Cosmic Force. He's kept up with every Canon release since 2014 and has a particular soft spot for lesser-known books like "Servants of the Empire." As part of Youtini's "Dad Batch," he's also developed an affinity for the multitude of Star Wars children's books, and he's always looking to expand his collection.
