Buckle up, Star Wars fans—because the galaxy far, far away is about to get a whole lot more complicated with a potential shake-up that could replace Rey as Kylo Ren's romantic interest and introduce Tava Ren as his ultimate rival! This isn't just another comic crossover; it's a bold move that might redefine the tragic love story we thought we knew from the Sequel Trilogy. But here's where it gets controversial: could this new character actually be the perfect match for Kylo, or is she just a plot device to stir up trouble? Stick around, because the twists in Star Wars: Legacy of Vader are about to make you question everything about redemption, romance, and the Dark Side.
Star Wars has just unveiled a fresh layer of intrigue in its ongoing saga with the introduction of Tava Ren, a formidable challenger vying for leadership of the Knights of Ren. And while she's positioned as a direct threat to Kylo Ren—also known as Ben Solo—this development might also position her as a romantic competitor to Rey, the heroine of the Sequel Trilogy. The franchise's Legacy of Vader series is stirring up drama in the romance between these iconic characters, a connection that fans know is fated for heartbreak, based on the events of The Rise of Skywalker.
Diving into the details, Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #9, penned by the talented Charles Soule and illustrated by Stefano Raffaele, kicks off with a gripping preview. It shows Tava Ren and Kylo Ren locking horns in a face-to-face showdown that escalates into an intense lightsaber duel. For newcomers to the Star Wars universe, think of lightsabers as the signature energy weapons wielded by Jedi and Sith alike—glowing blades powered by the Force, a mystical energy field that binds the galaxy. These duels aren't just flashy fights; they often reveal deeper character motivations and power struggles.
Right away, some dedicated fans have sensed an undeniable chemistry between Tava and Kylo, sparking speculation that her intentions might go beyond mere assassination. Could she be there to challenge him in ways that involve more than just combat? This buzz has led to widespread chatter about how Tava Ren's arrival might complicate Kylo's love life, especially his doomed connection with Rey.
To give you some context, the Legacy of Vader series is set in the gap between The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker. During this time, Kylo is busy solidifying his grip on the First Order—a tyrannical empire reminiscent of the old Galactic Empire—while unknowingly inching toward his path of redemption. For beginners, the First Order is like a rebooted version of the Empire, led by figures like Supreme Leader Snoke, and Kylo Ren is its conflicted enforcer, torn between his dark heritage as Darth Vader's grandson and his inner light.
The core goal of Legacy of Vader is to enrich Kylo Ren's storyline in the Sequel Trilogy, which includes Episodes VII, VIII, and IX. And since The Rise of Skywalker explicitly hinted at a romantic spark between Rey and Kylo—think of those charged moments where their Force connection blurs the lines between enemies and something more—it only makes sense for the comic to throw a wrench into that dynamic. Tava Ren could very well be that wrench, adding tension and depth to Kylo's journey.
From what we've seen, Tava seems intent on seizing control of the Knights of Ren from Kylo, their current leader. But—and this is the part most people miss—it's also plausible that she's testing him, probing his weaknesses to see if he's truly worthy of his role. If the preview pages are any indication of how the issue unfolds, expect plenty of surprises, like unexpected alliances or betrayals that keep you on the edge of your seat.
Now, let's talk about Tava's potential in the broader Star Wars lore. She might emerge as a significant antagonist for Kylo, but she could also embody everything he craves in a partner—or at least what he believes he wants. Picture this: Tava as the living embodiment of the Dark Side's allure, tempting Kylo away from the light and complicating his eventual embrace of redemption alongside Rey in The Rise of Skywalker. For those new to Star Wars, the Dark Side represents the seductive power of anger, fear, and aggression, often leading characters down paths of tyranny, as seen with Darth Vader.
Of course, in the treacherous world of Dark Side users, Tava could easily play dual roles—as both a lover and an adversary to Kylo. This duality is a classic Star Wars trope, where trust is rare and betrayal is common. Right now, fans are buzzing with questions about whether Tava will make it out of Legacy of Vader alive. Notably, she wasn't among the Knights of Ren who were defeated by Kylo and Rey in The Rise of Skywalker, leaving the door wide open for her survival and future appearances.
Even if Kylo Ren, or Ben Solo, doesn't survive the events of The Rise of Skywalker—where his final moments with Rey are filled with poignant sacrifice—Tava could still be lurking in the galaxy, ready to resurface. This opens up exciting possibilities, such as Tava becoming a future foe for Rey, particularly if she's revealed as a former romantic interest of Kylo's. Imagine the drama: Rey facing off against someone who once held Kylo's heart, adding layers of jealousy and rivalry to her own heroic arc.
Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #9 hits shelves on October 15, 2025, courtesy of Marvel Comics. It's a must-read for anyone invested in the saga's rich tapestry.
For a quick refresher on the Star Wars universe, it was created by the visionary George Lucas. The original film that kicked it all off is Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope, introducing us to heroes like Luke Skywalker and villains like Darth Vader. The cast has grown immensely over the years, featuring iconic actors such as Mark Hamill as Luke, James Earl Jones voicing Darth Vader, David Prowse in the Vader suit, Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia, Harrison Ford as Han Solo, Daisy Ridley as Rey, Adam Driver as Kylo Ren, and many more including Ian McDiarmid as Emperor Palpatine, Ewan McGregor as Obi-Wan Kenobi, Rosario Dawson, Lars Mikkelsen, Rupert Friend, Moses Ingram, Frank Oz, and Pedro Pascal.
The franchise has expanded into numerous TV shows, from The Mandalorian following bounty hunter Din Djarin and his foundling Grogu, to Andor exploring the Rebellion's early days, Obi-Wan Kenobi delving into the Jedi Master's past, The Book of Boba Fett continuing the bounty hunter's tale, Ahsoka focusing on the former Padawan, The Acolyte uncovering ancient mysteries, Star Wars: Skeleton Crew with new young adventurers, Lando spotlighting the charismatic smuggler, and animated series like The Clone Wars, Rebels, The Bad Batch, Resistance, Young Jedi Adventures, and Visions offering diverse stories.
Movies abound too, spanning the prequels (Episode I - The Phantom Menace, II - Attack of the Clones, III - Revenge of the Sith), the originals (IV - A New Hope, V - The Empire Strikes Back, VI - Return of the Jedi), the sequels (VII - The Force Awakens, VIII - The Last Jedi, IX - The Rise of Skywalker), spin-offs like Rogue One and Solo, and even more like The Clone Wars film, Dawn of the Jedi, and New Jedi Order.
Key characters include Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Rey Skywalker, Emperor Palpatine (also Darth Sidious), Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ahsoka Tano, Grand Admiral Thrawn, the Grand Inquisitor, Reva (the Third Sister), the Fifth Brother, the Seventh Sister, the Eighth Brother, Yoda, Din Djarin, Grogu, Anakin Skywalker (Darth Vader), Leia Organa, and Ben Solo (Kylo Ren).
So, what do you think, fellow fans? Is Tava Ren destined to be Kylo's true love, or just a fleeting temptation that highlights his growth? Could this change how we view Rey's role in his redemption? And here's a controversial take: maybe the Dark Side isn't all bad if it leads to such intriguing characters—do you agree, or is that heresy in the Star Wars fandom? Share your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're team Rey, team Tava, or somewhere in between!
