This post contains a PREVIEW for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #4Leia Organa just before the Resistance general's death in Rise of Skywalker, redefining the hero's place in the overall canon. Princess Leia actor Carrie Fisher tragically died before Rise of Skywalker's filming, meaning her scenes were done using unreleased footage from The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi. However, Marvel's new graphic novel adaptation has provided Leia Organa with the scenes and moments she was intended to have on screen.

In the new preview for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #4, the third act of the final Skywalker saga movie has begun. Kylo Ren and Rey are dueling on Kef Bir, while Leia has reached her final moments just before her death. However, Maz Kanata and Leia share a final exchange not seen in the movie, one that carries some slightly controversial implications based on how the pirate queen describes the Resistance general and Princess of Alderaan:

While it's nice to see Leia receive an additional scene beyond what she had in the movie, one can imagine that some fans might not be too happy about the potential shade being thrown at other original trilogy Star Wars heroes.

Leia Organa: "The One Who Was Strong Enough To Stay"

Maz's Final Words To Leia Are Somewhat Strange

At first, Maz Kanata referring to Leia as "the heart of the Resistance" isn't bad. It's very much true and makes perfect sense given her history, having assembled the entire force of heroes as soon as rumblings about the First Order's emergence began to grow. However, in response to Leia's concerns that she wouldn't be able to bring Ben back from the dark side before she ed on, Maz says that Leia was the only one "who was strong enough to stay".

While Leia's resilience is accurate, the phrasing from Kanata is odd. The implication is that Maz is commending Leia for never giving up the fight, while others did. This does put other original trilogy heroes in a rather bad light, like Han Solo, who left Leia and the New Republic after Ben fell to the dark side. The same goes for Luke Skywalker, who also left and went into exile on Ahch-To after Ben's fall and the destruction of the Jedi academy on Ossus.

Both examples serve as controversial creative decisions on the part of Lucasfilm, which many fans have long taken issue with. Overall, Han and Luke's arcs in the sequel era have largely been viewed as core mistreatment of these legacy characters. As nice as the sentiment is for Leia, this new line of dialogue may feel like pouring salt into old wounds.

Overall, Marvel's New Rise of Skywalker Adaptation Has Been Great For Leia

Honoring The Late Carrie Fisher Incredibly Well

On the whole, Marvel and Lucasfilm have done a great job with Leia's overall character in this new adaptation of The Rise of Skywalker. Beyond this new moment, previous issues have been full of new dialogue and exchanges involving the Resistance general, allowing her to do and say more than she got to in the movie due to the limitations placed on Lucasfilm, seeing how they could only work with unused footage and minimal dialogue from previous movies. Maz Kanata's controversial line aside, the adaptation truly has done a great job honoring Carrie Fisher and her legacy as Leia to quite an impressive degree.

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #4 is on sale May 28th from Marvel Comics.