WARNING! This article contains spoilers toStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker#4
The deaths of legacy heroes who have been a staple in pop culture history often carry irreversible weight, shaping the entirety of the franchise and echoing long after their final moments. InStar Wars: The Last Jedi, Luke Skywalker’s death was a poignant act of sacrifice. Now, six years later, a new comic adaptation unveilsLeia Organa’sfinal words, offering a remarkable parallel that enriches both characters' legacies.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation#4, written by Jody Houser with art by Will Sliney, delves deeper intoLeia’s last moments, offering new dialogue that redefines her sacrifice, enhances the meaning behind her death, and hones in on the impact of her enduring love for her son.
This issue provides acrucial recontextualization for Leiathat the film did not capture, partly due to Carrie Fisher’s untimely passing.Leia’s death, as portrayed in the comic, becomes a direct mirror to Luke’s,but with a unique and powerful twist that highlights the distinct ways in which the Skywalker twins confronted the darkness inside Kylo Ren.
Leia’s Final Act Is A Direct Contrast To Luke’s Illusion
Star Wars:The Rise of Skywalker, Written By Jody Houser With Art By Will Sliney
Luke Skywalker’s death inThe Last Jediwas an act of non-violent resistance, where he projected a Force illusion of himself to confront his nephew, Kylo Ren, in order to secure an escape route for the Resistance. InThe Rise of Skywalker#4,the new reveal of Leia’s final momentsoffers a direct and powerful counterpoint to this.As she reaches out to her son, Ben Solo, she tells him, “I’ll be with you until the end.”This isn’t a fake presence to deter evil; it’s a genuine Force connection to encourage good, demonstrating her unwavering faith in his redemption.
This new dialogue fundamentallyshifts the understanding of Leia’s sacrifice. While Luke used the Force to fake being with Kylo Ren for a fleeting moment to stop him, Leia uses the Force to actually be there for Ben, guiding his return to the light. Her words imply a continued spiritual presence with her son; a guiding force that transcends physical death. This subtle yet significant difference highlights the unique strengths of each Skywalker twin:Luke’s strategic heroism and Leia’s enduring, compassionate love.
Leia’s Sacrifice Echoes Through Ben’s Redemption
In Death, Leia Was Able To Finally Bring Her Son Back
Luke’s sacrifice bought the Resistance precious time, a crucial defensive act. Leia’s, however, is an offensive act of love that seeks to restore.By connecting with Ben in his darkest hour, she plants the seed of his redemption, empowering him to turn away from Palpatine’s influence.Maz Kanata’s earlier words to Leia in the comic, “You are the one who was strong enough to stay,” foreshadow this ultimate act of unwavering commitment and a testament to a mother’s love.Leia’s final words to Ben are not a farewell, but a promise of continued support through the Force.
It is Leia’s spiritual embrace that allows Ben to finally shed the Kylo Ren persona and return to the light side of the Force, enabling him to confront Palpatine alongside Rey.
The immediate aftermath of Leia’s death in the comic, with Ben visibly shaken, underscores the impact of Leia’s final connection with her son. It is Leia’s spiritual embrace that allows Ben to finally shed the Kylo Ren persona and return to the light side of the Force, enabling him to confront Palpatine alongside Rey. This makesLeia Organa’sdeath not just an ending, but a catalyst for the ultimate victory over evil, a powerful testament to her love and belief in her son.
Leia Organa
The daughter of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, Leia inherited her mother’s political skills and her father’s Force power. She was raised on Alderaan as a member of the royal family, and followed in her father’s footsteps by becoming a senator who secretly worked alongside the Rebel Alliance. Alderaan’s destruction changed everything, and Leia became a leader in both the Rebel Alliance and its successor government, the New Republic. She served there for decades, eventually leaving to found the First Order when she sensed its darkness growing. Leia gave much for her ideals, but eventually gave her life to redeem her son Ben.
Luke Skywalker
The son of Anakin Skywalker and Padmé Amidala, Luke was brought up on the desert planet Tatooine. Initially mentored by Obi-Wan Kenobi, Luke fired the fateful shot that destroyed the Death Star, and he became a rebel hero. Despite the fears of Obi-Wan and Yoda, Luke’s faith in his father was proved well-founded when Vader returned to the light. With the Emperor defeated, Luke dedicated himself to bringing back the Jedi; his first attempt ended in tragedy due to Palpatine’s manipulations, but Luke’s legacy lives on in Rey.
