The comic book miniseries Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren reaches its conclusion with issue The Rise of Kylo Ren 4, the fourth and last installment of the canon storyline. Marvel Comics released it on March 11, 2020, featuring writing by Charles Soule and illustrations by Will Sliney.
SON'S SINS. The transformation of BEN SOLO is complete in the finale of The Rise of KYLO REN, as the Dark Side consumes him, once heralded as the Jedi's greatest hope. SNOKE and the KNIGHTS OF REN ensured he could not perceive any alternative path, making this his unavoidable destiny. He transitions from Ben to Ren…and now he is completely lost.
The Knights of Ren have taken control of a group of Mimbanese miners on Minemoon, a moon of the planet Mimban. While Ren desires to execute them, Ben Solo seeks a peaceful resolution. Ben employs a mind probe to delve into the mind of a Mimbanese miner, discovering that the artifact resides within a sealed chamber located three levels down to the southwest. He informs the Knights that a carving of a red snake marks the entrance.
Ren expresses his satisfaction. Ben clarifies that he utilized a modified version of the Jedi mind trick, taught to him by Snoke. He mentions that this was his first time using it. Ren now comprehends why Snoke believed Ben would be valuable. Having learned the artifact's location, Ren instructs his Knights to slay the Mimbanese people.
As the Knights of Ren use their weapons to murder the Mimbanese, Snoke communicates telepathically with Ben, stating that the Jedi's rules and codes, which they believed strengthened them, actually made them inflexible and easily broken. A shocked Ben reminds Ren that he had promised to free them. Snoke retorts that the Knights of Ren act according to their own will, granting them adaptability. He asserts that they are willing to do whatever it takes to survive and succeed.
Ren leads Ben and the Knights into the chamber. However, a Mimbanese female shaman refuses to relinquish the Mindsplinter, considering it a priceless relic discovered centuries ago. Ren remains unmoved and declares that they will seize it. Ren commands his Knights to slay the miners.
Sensing Ben's hesitation, Ren reminds Solo of his Jedi training, stating that this should be simple for him. He tells Ben that the Knights of Ren are killers and that it is time for Solo to prove his worth. However, they are interrupted by Ben's former Jedi companions Tai and Voe, with Tai calling out to Ben.
Ren inquires about their identities. After exchanging glances, Ben declares that they are the past and ignites his lightsaber. Tai dispatches Voe to assist the Mimbanese while he handles Ben due to their special connection. Voe expresses "May the Force be with you" before descending to aid the Mimbanese. Ben attacks Tai with his lightsaber.
Simultaneously, Ren strikes down a Mimbanese with his red lightsaber. Before he can kill another, Voe's lightsabers block his blade. Ren brags about having fought Luke Skywalker, her Jedi Master, and dismisses her as a significant threat. Voe retorts that Skywalker recounted that story to her and that he sent them home crying. She kicks Ren in the head.
Tai reveals to Ben that he located him through the Force. Ben responds that he wishes they were not connected through the Force before parrying. Tai condemns Ben for abandoning the light. Ben replies that he is not who Tai believes him to be and states that this is his new path.
Meanwhile, Ren uses the Force to push Voe away. Tai implores Ben to reconsider, stating that it is not too late to change course, adding that every path has two directions. At the same time, Voe evades Kuruk's blaster fire while Ren orders him to kill her. Tai warns Ben that his path will worsen and tells Ben that he is acting as if he doesn't have control because every single step he takes is his own choice.
Ben argues that he has no choice because of his name. He adds that both the dark and the light side of the Force claimed him from birth. Concurrently, Voe leads the Mimbanese in battle against the Knights of Ren, denouncing them as destroyers and murderers.
As they clash blades, Ben tells Tai that both Skywalker and Snoke viewed him as a legacy and a set of expectations rather than a person. As Voe knocks Kuruk to the ground, she tells him that she was trained by Luke Skywalker. As Ben and Tai move over a bridge, Tai tells Ben that it is not too late to turn back to the light side and invites him to team up to destroy the Knights of Ren and save this place.
To Ben's astonishment, Tai drops his lightsaber and challenges Ben to choose between killing or sparing him. He urges Ben to be the man he knows he is. However, Ren uses the Force to snap Tai's neck, expressing his displeasure at having to constantly fight the dark side. Ben disagrees, but Ren accuses him of not wanting to live in the shadow.
Ben retorts that he is the shadow and uses the Force to seize Tai's lightsaber. He attacks Ren with two lightsabers. Ren mocks Ben's inexperience in fights where the opponent wants him dead. As they cross blades, Ren taunts Ben about his lack of combat experience. From afar, Darth Sidious proclaims that Ben will become his true self, while a pleased Snoke encourages Ben.
Surrendering to the dark side, Ben unleashes Force lightning against Ren. His mother, Leia Organa, senses Ben's use of the dark side and is horrified. As they continue to battle, Ren boasts about his numerous kills while Voe and the other Knights of Ren watch.
Ben counters that he doesn't think that he himself is special which means he can do anything that he wants. Ben says that he has now realized what Ren wanted him to do earlier. Rey also senses Ben's dark side usage, suddenly feeling cold in the presence of Unkar Plutt. Darth Sidious, from afar, compels Ben to claim his birthright and strike down Ren.
Ben pierces Ren's chest with Tai's lightsaber, as the Force lightning he unleashed scatters the Knights of Ren and the Mimbanese miners. Ben uses the Force to retrieve Voe's lightsaber. Voe is both amazed and fearful that Ben has killed Ren. Ben responds that he is a murderer and tells Voe that she will never be a Jedi because there is no one left to train her. The mine begins to flood due to the fighting.
Ben impales Voe with Ren's lightsaber, questioning her desire to live. After killing Voe, he summons his lightsaber. With their leader dead, the Knights of Ren kneel and submit to Ben.
Ben departs with the Knights of Ren aboard their starship, the Night Buzzard. Onboard, he removes the blue kyber crystal from his lightsaber and bleeds it. Ben's eyes turn red and yellow as the crystal explodes, sending waves of energy through the ship. As he endures the pain, Ben is haunted by visions of his uncle, Luke Skywalker; his father, Han Solo; his father's best friend, Chewbacca; his father's good friend Lando Calrissian; Tai; and his mother, Leia.
Ben inserts the kyber crystal into his lightsaber, but it overheats, leading him to adopt a crossguard design. When Snoke asks his name, Ben ignites his red-yellow crossguard lightsaber, becoming Kylo Ren.
- UPC 759606097418; March 11 , 2020 ; Marvel Comics ; First printing [1] 00411; Cover A; E.M. Gist 00421; Cover B; Giuseppe Camuncoli & David Curiel
- UPC 759606097418; April 15 , 2020; Marvel Comics; Second printing [3] 00412; Cover C; Will Sliney & Guru-eFX