On the very same day that the Galactic Civil War formally ended with the Empire officially surrendering to the New Republic, the galaxy celebrated not only the victory in the war but the birth of Ben Solo.
Born to Rebel heroes Leia Organa and Han Solo, and the nephew of the already-legendary Jedi Luke Skywalker, Ben’s birth was a big deal. And a recent Star Wars comic showed us these beloved heroes all gathered around, celebrating Ben’s arrival. It happened at the end of Alex Segura’s 12-part Battle of Jakku comic, in Last Stand #4. The end of the issue shows the end of the War, but also the beginning of something new.
Han and Leia are there, obviously, as is Luke – playing with Ben and showing him the Force and a training remote. Lando is there, all smiles, congratulating Han and telling Luke that maybe the kid will keep him around and stop his wanderings. Chewbacca is there too, having traveled from Kashyyyk to meet his adoptive nephew. And, of course, where the other heroes are, R2-D2 and C-3PO are close by too.
It’s a beautiful moment, and it’s great to see all of these heroes – and friends – together, celebrating their victory and celebrating the birth of Ben. Seeing them all so happy is truly wonderful. Because of the nature of the sequel trilogy jumping ahead several decades – after tragedy has struck – and the fact that Lucasfilm has been very reticent up to this point to tell stories about these heroes post-Endor, we haven’t really had much of a chance to see them just happy, together, reveling in the victory they fought for. It’s important for Star Wars to give us these moments, both of the heroes happy but also of the heroes together. We need to realize that their efforts truly did matter, that the New Republic was formed, the Empire was defeated, and this new government would reign for three decades – longer than the Empire ever did.
But at the same time, this ending makes what will happen later all the more heartbreaking. With such hope and happiness surrounding Ben’s birth, it’s tragic that Ben would turn to the dark side. As he looks at his son, Han says to his wife, “I tell you, Leia, it really does feel like we’ve finally won. Finally.” Bens’s birth is the beacon of hope, the signal that there is a new and brighter future ahead for a war-torn galaxy. As Segura’s narration says, Ben’s birth is “a powerful echo to the new era of peace. And an affirmation that the dark days were over – and would not return.” How tragic to think of what would happen to Ben, and this family, in the years ahead.
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