Though Star Wars fans may be hesitant to concede the hardships Luke Skywalker in comics could change that perception. Kylo's journey was likely far longer and more arduous than initially believed. The Sith lord knows exactly which buttons to push to entice his targets as seen in Star Wars: Age of Rebellion - Luke Skywalker.
The Marvel Comic Star Wars: Age of Rebellion - Luke Skywalker has the creative team of Greg Pak, Chris Sprouse, Scott Koblish, Stefano Landini, Karl Story, Marc Deering, Tamra Bonvillain, and Travis Lanham. Set after The Empire Strikes Back, the issue focuses on the titular hero as he aids in a Rebel mission against the Empire. Throughout the mission, he senses the Emperor lurking around, though he isn't sure of the source. All through this mission, he is forced to fight against the Sith lord's machinations, revealing what Kylo Ren likely went through for many years.
Kylo Ren Deserves Far More Credit Than Fans Give Him
As one of the Rebellion's best pilots, Luke has proven himself time and again through his use of the Force. However, that doesn't mean he is immune to typical human flaws that Emperor Palpatine can - and does - exploit. This comic shows Luke being presented with a dilemma - struggling to be heard and appreciated by his fellow Rebels in a time of grave danger. He doubts his companions and the Emperor tries to entice him with a vision of an alternate future in which he helps others on his , not having to listen to anyone's directions or even fight against the Empire anymore. It's an idyllic and peaceful life. Luke manages to aid his superior and escape from this mental attack despite genuinely being tempted, but Kylo Ren couldn't have been as lucky.
While Palpatine may have been disguised as Supreme Leader Snoke, that doesn't mean he was any less effective at targeting young minds to his cause. Luke and Kylo Ren were both similar ages during crucial events within the Star Wars universe. When Kylo destroyed Luke's training academy, he would've been around seventeen or eighteen years old. Similarly, Luke was around nineteen in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope. This means that Palpatine could have had the chance to target them both at prime times of influence. This comic shows that the Emperor can feel Luke's hesitation and feelings of doubt, even from such a great distance. Considering his ability to target Luke, he was likely also able to reach out and influence Kylo in a similar fashion.
Ben Solo likely would have been very attuned to the light side of the Force at an early age based on his lineage and potential. If Palpatine could prey upon Luke so easily, there's a big chance he could have been doing the same to Ben for even longer - by showing an altered perspective of his grandfather, Darth Vader, and his struggles. Ben only falls partially to the dark side and becomes Kylo Ren after his uncle himself suffered severe moments of doubt, almost leading to his death. Given Palpatine's ability to tempt Luke in this comic, there could even be a chance that he might've preyed upon Luke's own doubts towards his own nephew and had a hand in their dynamic shifting long-term.
With a potential daily mental barrage of predatory Sith power on the young Force sensitive Ben Solo, it's more surprising that he didn't succumb sooner. This would prove his draw to the light side and mental strength were great, since it took a long time for him to partially succumb to the dark side, without being completely corrupted in the end. Kylo Ren may be a villain, but he did turn against his Master, and if Luke Skywalker's experience is anything to go by, there's a high probability that he suffered through far more from Emperor Palpatine than fans can give him credit for based on the films alone.
