Star Wars The Rise of Kylo Ren Issue 3 Review

In January I reviewed the issue 2 of The Rise of Kylo Ren comic series. I gave it the thumbs up as I enjoyed the return of Lor San Tekka. Ben apprenticeship to Luke was also fascinating to see.

In issue 3 of The Rise of Kylo Ren we finally see Ben Solo join the Knights of Ren. Despite its leader, Ren, taking a liking to Ben Solo, membership is not easily earned. Ren states the price is a ‘good death’. Ben feels he has accomplished that already – and he is not referring to Luke, whom he now doubts was killed at the Jedi Temple.

The Rise of Kylo Ren

Ren demands to know about the ‘good death’. Ben recounts his training with three other Jedi pupils: Voe, Hennix and Tai. This issue shows them training together under the tutelage of Luke Skywalker. Voe always tried to measure up to Ben Solo. For Voe using the force was harder than it was for him. Hennix saw the force as a puzzle that had to be solved. For Tai the force meant a conduit to another person – and he can sense how Ben Solo rarely opens up about himself.

This issue then shows the fight between Voe, Hennix and Tai against Ben Solo on Elphrona. As it continues the three pupils cannot agree on the best way to take on Ben. Voe is adamant Ben Solo should be killed. As she leaps towards Ben, who is standing on an overhang, he force pushes her off. Doubt in his mind makes him arrest her fall. However, Hennix cannot see this and throws his lightsaber at Ben who casts it right back. Ben’s efforts at saving Voe costs Hennix his life as the latter cannot deflect his own incoming lightsaber.

The fight ends

The fight ends with Tai saving Voe from her fall. A repentant Ben hurls both of them deeper into the Jedi Temple and blocks its exit. This appears to have been done as much to protect Ben from them as them from Ben. The end result is that Ren does not judge the death of Hennix to be a ‘good death’. He feels Ben was reluctant to do it. However, Ben is allowed to join the knights provisionally. The final pages show Ben trading his Jedi garb for a black ‘Han Solo-ish’ outfit.

Afterwards we get two more pages showing Tai and Voe. Tai states he has read Ben’s mind and knows where he is going. Voe vows revenge for the death of Hennix, but Tai appears to have doubts. He refers to Ben as being ‘lost’

Conclusion

I am glad this issue finally dealt with the Knight of Ren in detail. Ben’s recalling of past events is a good way to progress the storyline in the past and the present. That’s said, little in this comic book surprised me – except perhaps Ben’s new outfit at the end. Ben Solo did not kill Hennix on purpose. In fact, he desperately tries to flee from his past life. The misguided attempts by three Jedi pupils cause further disaster.

The current leader of the Knight of the Ren – now simply known as Ren – isn’t going to turn down Ben just because he had not made a ‘good death’. It is obvious that Snoke is pulling the strings and that Ren was merely playing hard to get. I wonder if on some level Ben can sense this and if that is what will ultimately force Ben to challenge Ren for the leadership of his knights. With one more issue to go in this series we will soon find out.

Come back on March 11th for the review of issue 4 – the finale in The Rise of Kylo Ren.