Kylo Ren Visits Grogu's Training Grounds In ‘Star Wars’ #25
July 20 was a milestone for Star Wars comics. Star Wars #25, the latest issue in Charles Soule’s mainline Star Wars comic series, took a break from the adventures of Luke, Leia, Lando, and Chewbacca prior to Return of the Jedi to bring a special treat for Star Wars fans. As explained by Soule himself in the comic’s opening letter, Star Wars #25 is the 100th script he has written for the Marvel Star Wars comics. As one of the franchise’s most prominent writers and a recently appointed Creative Consultant for Lucasfilm, Soule is a magnificent talent whose works have added even more depth to characters like Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, Lando Calrissian, Darth Vader, and Qi’ra of Crimson Dawn. To mark such a momentous occasion, Soule decided to have Star Wars #25 be a collection of four short stories, each focusing on different characters at different points in the Star Wars timeline. Soule also reunites with the artists who he worked with for each of the characters he previously wrote for.
“The Lesson”
Soule’s first story is titled “The Lesson” and features artwork by Ramon Rosanas. This one focuses on Obi-Wan Kenobi and his apprentice Anakin Skywalker as they spar at the Jedi Temple on Coruscant shortly before Attack of the Clones. During his training, Anakin asks Obi-Wan why the Jedi only use lightsabers instead of other types of weaponry powered by kyber crystals. To this, Obi-Wan tells the story of how he once thought of using two lightsabers connected by a chain but ultimately decided not to for an important reason. Obi-Wan goes on to explain that Jedi use lightsabers because doing so requires skill and precision. By using lightsabers, the Jedi are made to think through every attack and kill they make in battle. Only by treating every move with their weapons as a life and death decision can a Jedi truly call themself a peacekeeper.
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The second story is also titled “The Lesson” and features artwork by Giuseppe Camuncoli. This one is set shortly after Revenge of the Sith and follows Darth Sidious dueling his apprentice Darth Vader in Coruscant’s Works District. Amidst the brutal training, Sidious explains that the lightsaber is but one of the Sith’s many weapons and, while mostly unnecessary, is crucial as a symbol. A Sith’s red lightsaber represents their rejection of the Jedi Code and embodies the burning fire within every Sith. While a Sith’s true weapon is the dark side, their lightsaber is valuable as a symbol of fear and destruction.
“See You Around, Kid”
The third story is titled “See You Around, Kid” and features artwork by Will Sliney. Set shortly after The Last Jedi, we follow Supreme Leader Kylo Ren as he returns to three different planets to locate the ghost of Luke Skywalker. Kylo’s first stop is Crait, where he angrily slashes at the remains of the abandoned Rebel base. His second stop is Elphrona, where he and his former Jedi mentor Luke first encountered the Knights of Ren in The Rise of Kylo Ren. His third stop is Ossus, the planet where Luke trained Grogu and other Jedi students until Kylo destroyed his academy and left for the First Order. Upon arriving at the remains of the academy, Kylo shouts at Luke to show himself to no avail. Defeated, Kylo orders General Hux to lay waste to the entire area since there is nothing left for him there.
“A Eulogy For Snap”
The fourth and final story is titled “A Eulogy For Snap” and features artwork by Phil Noto. Set soon after The Rise of Skywalker, we see the aftermath of the Battle of Exegol, including a funeral held for Temmin “Snap” Wexley by Black Squadron. Consisting of Poe Dameron, Karé Kun, Jessika Pava, and Suralinda Javos, the surviving members of Black Squadron gather around a fire to eulogize Snap and reminisce about their relationships and adventures with him throughout the war. Karé, Snap’s wife, is especially affected by his death but chooses to hold onto her memories of him. While the rest of the Resistance celebrates their victory over the Final Order, Poe and Black Squadron hold a toast to Snap, the stories they lived through, and the stories their futures hold.
Star Wars #25 is a touching collection of stories, with each one showcasing different people in different corners of the galaxy. Charles Soule captures every character’s voice extremely well, and the artists each bring their own strengths to their respective stories. At the time of writing, Soule has over a hundred Star Wars comics under his belt. I can only imagine what stories he still has in store for the galaxy far, far away. To quote Poe Dameron in the final story, “Here’s to all the stories we told. And the stories yet to come.”
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