With this final volume, the current Star Wars monthly wraps up, bringing Charles Soule’s exploration of the universe to a satisfying close. As Marvel prepares to relaunch its Star Wars line, this finale weaves together fitting character-driven moments, engaging action, and connections across the saga’s expansive timeline that is approachable to even casual fans of the comics.
Collecting the last three issues of the Star Wars monthly (#48-50), Star Wars Vol. 9: The Path of Light bridges the gap between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. Charles Soule, a writer who has done a very fine job giving this book full of legacy characters a voice and a purpose, brings together storylines developed over the series, connecting multiple eras in Star Wars lore. Leia Organa faces a difficult decision as the remaining survivors of Alderaan are threatened, forcing her to weigh her personal loyalties against the needs of the Rebel Alliance. Meanwhile, Luke Skywalker recounts a past adventure to his student Ben Solo, offering lessons on the balance between light and dark. Fans of Star Wars should find believable and meaningful character moments in these three issues.
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Oddly enough, I recently started rereading some of the Young Jedi Knights novels from the ’90s, which were a series of books that explored Luke’s new Jedi Academy and focused on Han and Leia’s twins. While I have misgivings about Luke’s interactions with Ben Solo/Kylo Ren in the sequel trilogy, I especially liked the interaction between those two in this book. Luke’s role as a teacher provides a perspective that critics of the films may appreciate, while still situating it seamlessly within current canon. Ben’s internal struggles are subtly portrayed, with Musabekov’s art skillfully hinting at his simmering emotions—visible to the audience but not yet to Luke. It’s done well, and I would like to see a whole series focused on this portion of the lore much like those Young Jedi Knight novels.
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Understandably, even while Soule’s narrative approach tries to provide a sense of closure, there is an obvious understanding that this is just a pause in these characters’ storylines. Fans expecting a big concluding statement will be left wanting, but thankfully Jethro Morales and Musabekov’s artwork complements the script, capturing subtle emotional nuances and action effectively. One can fault this iteration for being too safe, but it offers a reflective look at key characters and themes, making it a solid addition to the Star Wars expanded universe.
The future narrative direction of Star Wars is unclear at the end of 2024, but the comic run spanning the last few years is a worthy addition to the saga. If you’re a Star Wars fan that didn’t pick up these issues when they hit comic shelves, The Path of Light is an accessible and gratifying adventure that captures the fundamental elements of its iconic characters in an engaging manner.
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