Warning! Spoilers ahead for Star Wars: Crimson Reign #4
As revealed in the latest issue of Crimson Reign, Darth Vader would have been largely unimpressed had he been around to see his grandson’s rise as Kylo Ren in the Star Wars galaxy. Taking place between Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, Crimson Dawn has begun a multi-faceted offensive against the Empire with the intent to destroy the Sith once and for all. The former love of Han Solo Lady Qi’ra recruited the Knights of Ren to from Vader himself. However, the Dark Lord reveals he knows all about the Knights in this new issue from Marvel Comics.
In previous issues of Crimson Reign, Qi’ra has been orchestrating several different schemes at once such as pitting her rival syndicates against one another, causing chaos where there was once order under the Empire’s rule. Furthermore, she sent assassins to kill Emperor Palpatine’s entire royal guard, sending the bold message that he’s not as safe as he thinks. Meanwhile, Crimson Dawn was building a better Rebele Alliance with a vast network of assassins and spies embedded within every major syndicate and group in the galaxy (including the Empire and Rebellion).
Now, the new Crimson Reign #4 from Charles Soule and Steven Cummings sees Qi’ra recruiting the Knights of Ren to infiltrate Fortress Vader on Mustafar. Planning their heist at a time when the Dark Lord of the Sith was supposed to be distracted by other members of the Dawn, the Knights’ plans began to unravel once they were discovered, having no choice but to fight for their lives while securing a mysterious key in Vader’s possession which Qi’ra desires. Furthermore, Darth Vader himself arrived on the scene to destroy those who would dare intrude upon his domain. However, once learning that his uninvited guests are the Knights of Ren, Vader confirms that he knows their history as well as their current disgrace. As such, it seems as though Darth Vader wouldn’t be very impressed with Ben Solo taking over the group of dark side users years later, the event which kickstarted his ascension to the dark side as Kylo Ren.
In Soule’s 2019 series The Rise of Kylo Ren, Ben Solo was seen murdering Ren, the same warrior dueling Vader in this new issue. While killing their leader made Kylo the Knights’ new Ren, it seems as though Vader wouldn’t be all that proud of his grandson. The only reason the Ren Vader fought survived their encounter was that he and his Knights chose to flee rather than fight by the issue’s end. Seeing them as no more than cowards with Ren being unworthy to wield a red lightsaber, he likely wouldn’t see them as adequate rivals for Ben Solo and his seduction to the dark side.
At any rate, an encounter between Darth Vader and the Knights of Ren is still a significant moment in the Star Wars galaxy. Not only does Crimson Reign confirm that the Sith Lords were aware of the dark side wielders, but they were also perceived as being not much of a threat to their power and rule. However, perhaps their view of the Knights of Ren will change seeing as how they’ve successfully robbed Darth Vader’s stronghold. It could be why Snoke sent Kylo Ren to seek them out years later.
Star Wars fans looking for more can find Crimson Reign #4 available now from Marvel Comics.
