Review: Star Wars High Republic #3

Cavan Scott is made to write original, interesting, action-packed Jedi stories and the High Republic comic proves it. Star Wars High Republic is doing a great job of laying the ground for a new expanded universe. It gives us all the Jedi fun, characters, philosophy and conflict we want without any dependence on what has come before.

This arc gives us incredible drama and this issue brings in one of the best villains in the New Republic era with the plant-like Drengir. The Drengir was a large part of Claudia Gray’s High Republic Into the Dark novel. They not only bring the basic horror of hidden plants lurking in the shadows ready to attack at all time, but they also have a close tie to the Dark Side and here clearly root that evil into the minds of those they possess.

All of this is seen through the eyes of the less than polite protagonist Jedi Knight Keeve Trennis. Keeve is a classic Star Wars character already, not ever sure of herself but refusing to allow fear to dictate her actions. Here she is joined on Sedri Minor by her Jedi Master Sskeer, Jedi twins Terec and Ceret and their leader Avar Kriss.

As Avar grapples with the Dark Side taking over the minds of Sskeer and Terec, Keeve travels planetside to find the abducted Ceret along with other abducted citizens from the local village. The leader of the village tries to keep the Jedi at bay, but Keeve ignores him and joins a young boy named Bartol into a subterranean plant-filled prison. Here they find their lost friends held captive physically and mentally by the Dark Side imbued Drengir.

After a battle on all fronts, the issue ends with the arrival of the other Jedi with a controlled Sskeer siding with the Drengir. The visuals throughout the issue are well done with great Jedi appearances and action. Everything from seeing a Hutt being dissected to seeing force powers and light sabers in action are done well. The plant-like prison is visually dynamic and interesting. That being said it would be nice if the Drengir were a bit more ominous looking and a bit less like extras from Little shop of horror. But the overall look of the issue is fantastic and the writing and art quality is top notch.

Writing: 4.7 of 5 stars
Art: 4.3 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.1 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.4 of 5 stars

Writing: Cavan Scott
Art: Ario Anindito
Inker: Mark Morales
Colors: Annalisa Leoni
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.