Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars #42
Star Wars has confirmed that Luke Skywalker’s Jedi path was always about redeeming Darth Vader. From the moment Luke learned the truth that Darth Vader was his father in Empire Strikes Back, the young Jedi’s entire perspective and plans for his future were massively rocked. Although he faltered for a time in the aftermath wondering if he should even still try to become a Jedi, the canonical comics have confirmed that a new goal became Luke’s core motivation to continue his training ahead of Return of the Jedi.
In the new Star Wars #42 from Charles Soule and Steven Cummings, Luke wishes to unlock the secrets of the dark side, specifically how to heal the darkness of a red kyber crystal in his possession that had been bled by an ancient Sith lord. To that end, Luke enlists the help of his new friend Gretta, a member of the Fallanassi, a group of Force adepts gifted in the art of kyber purification.
Luke Skywalker’s desire to heal a Sith’s lightsaber crystal is very exciting in this new chapter of the Star Wars timeline. However, the underlying reason why is even more compelling: Luke has already decided that he wants to try and redeem his father from the dark side of the Force.
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Luke Wants To Heal Red Kyber…Before His Father
Luke’s Hopes To Redeem Darth Vader Back To The Light
As Luke explains to Gretta and her aunt, Luke wants to know how to bring something lost in the dark back to the light. He hopes that if he can do it with this red kyber crystal, he could hopefully use the same techniques elsewhere. Luke is naturally referencing his own father Darth Vader who’s long been corrupted to the dark side as a Sith lord.
While he hopes to one day bring his father back to the light, all Luke knows is that a reckoning with Vader is inevitable and will likely happen someday soon. To that end, it’s fascinating that Luke has already decided even now that he’d rather try and redeem his father instead. It’s undeniable proof that Luke is truly becoming a Jedi Knight, seeking to be one with the light side of the Force and to bring others to said light as well.
Will The Dark Side Try To Corrupt Luke Before Return of the Jedi?
The Young Jedi Is In Over His Head
It’s already confirmed that Luke will succeed in redeeming Darth Vader as seen in Return of the Jedi. However, it’s currently known how successful Luke will be when it comes to this piece of red kyber. Having been imprinted with the pain and legacy of the Sith lord who bled it, tapping into the crystal saw Luke finding himself within the metaphysical hall of this Sith lord’s spirit and facing several of his red lightsaber-wielding guests.
Unfortunately, the end of Star Wars #42 leaves Luke imprisoned in what’s likely a living memory of the galaxy’s ancient past, potentially during the Old Republic’s Sith Empire. As such, one has to wonder what this Sith spirit has planned for Luke, and if the young Jedi will have to resist the dark side’s corruption long before meeting Emperor Palpatine at the end of the original trilogy. Either way, it’s impressive to see that redeeming Darth Vader was always a core motivation for Luke once he learned that he was his father.
Star Wars #42 is available now from Marvel Comics.
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