In a shocking move, Star Wars is unleashing a new Darth Vader, as Anakin Skywalker’s successor dons the iconic mask. While Anakin ultimately managed to slay Vader out of love for Luke, the villain’s legacy isn’t over yet, thanks to the machinations of his final acolyte.

Kylo Ren Is the New Darth Vader

But Vader’s Acolyte Vaneé Is the True Mastermind

Marvel just revealed solicit details for Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #11, confirming that Kylo Ren will finally take his grandfather’s Sith armor as his own. The transformation is the culmination of a plan by Darth Vader’s former attendant Vaneé, who has been plotting to turn Ben Solo into the next Vader by taking him on a tour of Anakin’s life and pain.

STAR WARS: LEGACY OF VADER #11
Release Date:	December 3, 2025
Writer:	Charles Soule
Artists:	Luke Ross
Cover Artist:	Derrick Chew
KYLO REN IN THE PITS OF MUSTAFAR! • As VANEÉ’S unhinged plans come together, KYLO REN is put to the ultimate test! • The legacy of VADER comes full circle in physical form as Kylo is forced to don his grandfather’s helmet! • Can Kylo survive the deadly depths of VADER’S CASTLE?

Derrick Chew’s cover shows a terrified Kylo Ren as Darth Vader’s helm is lowered over his head – something that he needs to survive the depths of Vader’s castle on Mustafar. The image brings Vaneé’s plan into sharp relief, as fans realize that he hasn’t just been teaching Ben to be strong like Vader, but trying to recreate his Sith master.

Over the last few months, Vaneé has led Kylo Ren on a tour of Anakin Skywalker’s life, from his childhood on Tatooine to hunting one of the last remaining Jedi. Along the way, Kylo has been destroying all traces of his grandfather, but has he also been absorbing the Sith’s legacy? There’s a major reason to think yes…

Kylo Ren Is Reliving the Return of Darth Momin

In 2017’s Star Wars: Darth Vader by Charles Soule and Giuseppe Camuncoli, Darth Sidious discovered the helm of the dead Sith heretic Darth Momin in a secret vault on Coruscant. Sidious passed the helm onto Vader, who discovered that the Sith’s personality still resided within and could possess anyone who wore it.

Momin possessed various servants while tutoring Vader in his forbidden Force knowledge, and helped design Fortress Vader as a way to focus the powerful energies on Mustafar. Momin eventually betrayed Vader and used the castle to physically resurrect himself – a rebirth that was short-lived, as Vader defeated and crushed the traitor. However, Momin’s identity remains locked within his helm, and he has manifested again since.

Kylo Ren being forced to wear Vader’s mask deep within Castle Vader echoes Momin’s possession of countless people in the same location, and it’s likely that this is exactly what Vaneé wants. Sith artifacts often carry non-living echoes of their former bearers, and while Anakin Skywalker repented his actions as a Sith, it’s possible that some echo of Vader does still exist within the Force, and could possess Kylo Ren.

Set between The Last Jedi and Rise of Skywalker, fans know that Kylo Ren will survive Legacy of Vader intact. However, this unseen chapter of his story could see him directly confront his grandfather’s shade, as he temporarily takes on the guise of Darth Vader as part of Vaneé’s plan to restore Star Wars‘ greatest villain to life.

Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #11 is coming December 3, 2025.