Marvel’s Belated Adaptation of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Features Surprises, Including Deleted Scenes

If Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker left you with mixed emotions back in 2019 (and don’t worry, I wasn’t entirely against it), it’s time to revisit that galaxy far, far away. Marvel Comics has announced a fresh comic book adaptation of this final Star Wars movie, arriving over five years after its original cinematic release.

Crafted by talented writer Jody Houser, known for works like Doctor Who and Star Wars: Thrawn, and brought to life with the artistic prowess of Will Sliney, recognized for Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren and Ben Reilly: Scarlet Spider, this five-issue series promises a faithful rendition of the 2019 film. More excitingly, Marvel and Lucasfilm have sweetened the deal by weaving in never-before-seen scenes—officially, anyway—that enrich the narrative.

According to Marvel’s recent announcement, this long-awaited series is set to debut on February 26, not long after the February 5 release of the Star Wars: Legacy of Vader series. In essence, Kylo Ren enthusiasts will find this period quite rewarding, even if Adam Driver isn’t reprising his role just yet.

An intriguing tidbit from editor Mark Paniccia reveals that fans of the sequels are eagerly clamoring for more of the characters first introduced in 2015’s The Force Awakens. "There’s a growing interest in these characters, especially Kylo Ren, as he carries the legacy of Darth Vader," Paniccia explains. While resurrecting Ben Solo after The Rise of Skywalker presents a challenge, Disney and Lucasfilm are attentively observing fan interest, particularly considering Daisy Ridley’s Rey, who might just be pivotal to Star Wars’ cinematic future. If the rumors are true, at least one movie spotlighting her is actively in development.

Below, you’ll find the impressive cover of issue #1, showcasing Kylo Ren alongside his formidable Knights, painted by Phil Noto. Take a look too at the stunning variant cover by Brian Stelfreeze, which shifts the focus to the Resistance’s heroes.

While we’ve seen this story unfold before, here’s Marvel’s fresh take as we approach February:

"As the Resistance struggles against the First Order’s overwhelming dominance, Poe Dameron stumbles upon a looming menace. With the fate of the galaxy hanging in the balance, Rey embarks on a quest to unearth a hidden Sith stronghold, setting the stage for a confrontation with Kylo Ren! Time is ticking, and our heroes must act swiftly to thwart the FINAL ORDER’s catastrophic plans."

Years of heated debate about the Star Wars sequels make it unlikely anyone’s opinions will shift with this late adaptation. Yet, the trilogy felt incomplete without a comic version, and the inclusion of those omitted scenes will undoubtedly be welcomed by devoted fans. Personally, I’m hoping for the scene featuring a giant baby with an alien spider-like creature atop their head—it had better make the cut.