WARNING! This article contains spoilers forStar Wars: Legacy of Vader#5.
For fans ofStar WarsandSaturday Night Live, a recent comic book issue has sparked a curious and amusing observation. A now classic parody sketch from 2016 features Adam Driver reprising his role asKylo Ren, but with a reality show twist. Now, Driver’s “Matt the radar technician” Kylo Ren alter ego has found its way into the hallowed halls ofStar Warscanon.
Star Wars: Legacy of Vader #5, written by Charles Soule with art by Stefano Raffaele, places Kylo Ren on Naboo ina situation that is strikingly similar to Driver’s iconicUndercover Bossportrayal.
The parallels between the comic’s plot and the comedic sketch are too conspicuous to be a mere coincidence, suggesting that Charles Soule himself or members of theLegacy of Vadercreative team pulled directly from the hilarious parody.
Kylo Ren’s Disguise On Naboo Bears A Striking Resemblance To Matt The Radar Technician
Star Wars: Legacy Of Vader#5, Written By Charles Soule With Art By Stefano Raffaele
The most immediate and noticeable parallel betweenLegacy of Vader #5and theUndercover Boss: Starkiller Basesketch isKylo Ren’s chosen disguise. In the comic, when Kylo ventures out among the Naboo people, he wears what appear to be yellow-tinted goggles that obscure his eyes. This eyewear bears an uncanny resemblance to the glasses worn by “Matt the Radar Technician,” Kylo Ren’s secret identity in theSNLsketch.
The visual similarity is so strong that it’s difficult to ignore the deliberate nod, or perhaps playful jab, at the nearly ten-year-old sketch. This choice of disguise, while perhaps logistically intended to allow Kylo to blend in with the people of Naboo,immediately brings to mind images of the disgruntled and awkward Matt.
The very premise of Kylo Ren’s presence on Naboo inLegacy of Vader#5 aligns with the covert aspect of theSNLsketch.He is there to assess the planet’s willingness to resist and to understand the people’s sentiment towards the First Order. This observational mission, with far more sinister intentions in mind,mirrors the parody Kylo’s intentionsinUndercover Boss. In the sketch, “Matt” is mostly preoccupied with finding out what his “employees” really think about him.
Matt famously quips that he heard a rumor that the Supreme Leader “had an eight-pack,”and threatens stormtroopers with Kylo Ren’s lightsaber that he just happened to find lying around. Similarly, the comic shows Kylo moving through the streets of Naboo in disguise, taking on a leadership role among the people. He encourages them to fight against the First Order, all while also ever-so-subtly mentioning Kylo Ren’s intentions as if they are not his own.
A question Matt/Kylo asks in theSNLsketch encapsulates the overall theme ofLegacy of Vaderthus far: “What do you guys think about Kylo Ren? Do you guys believe when he says he’s gonna finish what Darth Vader started?”
Kylo Ren’s Ruthless Actions Towards Allies Echo The Sketch’s Dark Humor
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Beyond the visual similarities between Matt andLegacy of Vadercanon Kylo, the most disturbing and comically dark parallel lies inKylo Ren’s actions towards those who cross him. In theUndercover Boss: StarkillerBase sketch,Matt, unable to suppress his true nature, lashes out at and even kills unsuspecting First Order employees for minor infractions.
While much more serious, Kylo’s actions explicitly mirror Matt’s short temper and sudden, over-the-top punishments in the sketch.
This dark humor ofKylo eliminating his own staffis grimly reflected inLegacy of Vader #5. After infiltrating the Naboo resistance, Kylo leads them in a calculated attack against his very own ship and the First Order itself.But once the assault is over, Kylo turns on the very people he tricked into trusting him, killing them all indiscriminately.While much more serious, Kylo’s actions explicitly mirror Matt’s short temper and sudden, over-the-top punishments in the sketch.
The striking similarities betweenKylo Ren’sundercover actions and physical appearance inStar Wars: Legacy of Vader #5and Adam Driver’s iconic Matt the radar technician inUndercover Boss: Starkiller Basesketch are undeniable. Whether a deliberate homage by Charles Soule, the issue has certainly provided fans with a new layer of enjoyment, blurring the lines betweenStar Warscanon and its beloved parodies, highlighting the influence of popular culture on even the most famous franchises.
