Kylo Ren's Birth Shows the True Tragedy Behind Han Solo's Romance With Princess Leia
Han Solo and Princess Leia Organa, two classic characters from Star Wars' original trilogy (and the first couple you think of when you think about Star Wars) boast the galaxy's greatest romance. The princess and the scoundrel, two unlikely opposites brought together for a common cause, who ended up falling in love. But fans will be surprised to know that after Han and Leia finally got together in Return of the Jedi, their relationship didn't last much longer. And that is truly a tragedy.
In Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku - Last Stand (2024) #1 by creative team Alex Segura, Jethro Morales, Jim Campbell, and Joe Caramagna, we see Princess Leia pregnant for the first time, brought close to death by a devastating assassination attempt by the Acolytes of the Beyond. It's already known that Leia's son, Ben Solo, is born on the day that the Empire surrenders to the New Republic. So with the Battle of Jakku now arriving in the comics, I know Ben won't be far behind... and I'm not happy with where that leads.
Ben Solo's Birth Brought Han & Leia Closer Together... Before it Tore Them Apart
All us Star Wars fans know Leia excelled in the political side of the New Republic folowing the original trilogy, and Han was unmatched in helping the pathfinders in the field. After the destruction of the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi, Leia focused on the development of the Rebellion into the New Republic, and Han went off to help Chewbacca liberate his home of Kashyyyk from the Empire, sadly separating the couple for a time. However, Han and Leia were brought back together for the Battle of Jakku, and their son was born not too long after.
With Princess Leia's permission, Han Solo went on a mission with Lando Calrissian to save Cloud City. Upon his return, Han made a vow for himself, Leia, and their son, to spend more time together. Han struggled with being a father at first, feeling guilty he didn't have as much of a connection with Ben as Leia did due to the force. But over time, Leia taught Han that he didn't need the force--being Ben's father was enough. Seeing Han and Leia as loving parents should be a reason to celebrate, but it makes me even more devastated about the true timeline of their separation.
Han Solo and Princess Leia's Separation is the Biggest Tragedy in Star Wars
Ben Solo got his force sensitivity from his mother's side, and he started developing the force as a baby. As Ben grew up, he struggled with the dark side until he was sent to train under Luke Skywalker at the age of ten. In The Force Awakens, we find out that Han and Leia separated after they sent Ben away; Leia went back to politics, and Han returned to smuggling. Ben was born one year after Han and Leia were married, which means they only lasted eleven years together. Eleven years!
When Return of the Jedi ended, I thought Han Solo and Princess Leia would be together forever. Not knowing what happened in canon afterward, my only hope was that they would earn a happy ending together. The fate of their son was the obvious tragedy showcased in The Force Awakens, but the insight into their own separation packed a more painful punch. The pair sent Ben away in 15 BBY, and reunited in 34 BBY, meaning Han and Leia were separated for nineteen years... far longer than they were ever together in peace.
Han & Leia Never Had Peace Away from Emperor Palpatine's Schemes
Han Solo and Princess Leia fought the Empire for five years together, before (seemingly) defeating Emperor Palpatine, getting married, and having a son. Soon Ben Solo would be manipulated by Snoke, a clone of Palpatine, meaning the same villain whose war brought Han and Leia together in the first place is the same person that caused them to be separated. It makes me think: was Han and Leia's son the only thing keeping them together?
There was a time following the original films that fans could dream of true love for Solo and Organo. Beth Revis penned The Princess and the Scoundrel about the wedding and honeymoon of the pairHan Solo and Princess Leia, along with a children's book adapting the wedding called Someone Who Loves You, both channeling the romantic, true love of a fairy tale. Like so many others, those stories assured me that nothing could break Han and Leia apart. But with the creation of Ben Solo, the sad truth is the darkness within their son did exactly that, before killing Han. And now there's nothing I can do to forget it.
Star Wars: The Battle of Jakku - Last Stand #1is available now from Marvel Comics.
