The Rise Of Kylo Ren #4 Review
Summary: Ben's struggle to hold onto his humanity as he is pulled further into the dark comes to a dramatic climax.
4.5
Kylo Rises
Ben Solo has left a trail of destruction behind him since striking down Luke Skywalker. His path has been steered by the mysterious Snoke and though he thought he had paid the price of membership to the outlaws The Knights of Ren by killing his friend Hennix Ben finds he must still prove himself and rides with the knights looking for something to destroy.
Writing
There’s a certain “obviousness” to the story here. By that I simply mean that anyone who is reasonably familiar with the world of Star Wars, will have a pretty good idea of the main beats… Ben feels conflicted, on the one hand he doesn’t want to just go around killing anyone and anything but on the other hand he seems drawn to do so. Yet within that somewhat set structure we still get some moments of genuine feeling. Certain moments really bring out the anguish Ben feels traveling this path to the dark side, you might even feel bad for his plight.
Artwork
Much like a professional wrestler throwing a punch, the “impact” of that punch won’t seem like much without being backed up by the receiver doing their part to sell the illusion. So it is here with the art more than doing their part to sell the emotional tug of war throughout this issue. What can’t be conveyed in words is shown all over Ben’s face in many frames… the confusion, the pain of being pulled to a dark future part of him wants nothing of.
Final Thoughts?
There are some pretty obvious beats throughout this story but they don’t detract from the enjoyment of the experience. That enjoyment is thanks to a great writing and artwork. For anyone wanting to know how Ben became Kylo Ren this series is a must and this issue especially shows the pieces fall into place to create one of the darkest characters to light up the Star Wars stage for some time.
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Will Sliney
Cover Artist: E. M. Gist
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Format: 26pgs, FC, Mineseries
Release Date: 11th March, 2020
About the Author
Chris O'Connor Father of four, husband of one and all round oddity. Gaming at home since about 1982 with a Sinclair ZX Spectrum. Moving on to the more traditional PC genre in the years that followed with the classic Jump Joe and Alley Cat. CGA, EGA, VGA and beyond PC's have been central to my gaming but I've also enjoyed consoles and hand helds along the way (who remembers the Atari Lynx?). Would have been actor/film maker, jack of many trades master of none.
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