Review: Star Wars The High Republic #1

Cavan Scott does a perfect job of balancing Jedi tradition with new science fantasy concepts. So he is the perfect choice to helm the comic debut of the awash-buckling new era of The High Republic. The High Republic takes us to an era hundreds of years before the Clone Wars era.

The Galaxy far away is in peak form with the Republic thriving under the protection of Jedi Knights. A new station is established like Deep Space Nine as a beacon of the Republic at the edges of the Outer Rim. There is a threat waiting at the fringes of the Galaxy which feels remnicent of the classic Yuuzhan Vong. We only get hints of the threat here as the main focus is on establishing our heroes.

The art by Ario Anindito and inks by Mark Morales brings a broader classic fantasy feel to the universe rather than simply repeating Star Wars tropes. Some of the characters feel a bit too cartoony but overall it’s a welcome addition to the mythos highlighted by strong colors by Annalisa Leoni.

Cavan Scott smartly introduces to this new era through the eyes of a Jedi just on the cusp of knighthood, Keeve Trennis. Keeve is a great new character with a strong defined voice and a te fact to swear too much. She meets a tiny winged sidekick Kanrii as she discovers an unexpected danger during her Jedi trials on the frontier world of Shuraden.

This begins with an unexpected battle with her one armed Jedi Master, Sskeer. He directs her to retrieve a pendent from the high jutting Needles. As Keeve ascends she runs into a massive swarm of giant bug-like creature who are causing planetary destruction as the new Starlight Beacon has altered their migratory routes.

On the Beacon Master Kriss visits the data tracker Maru who is coordinating recovery from The Great Disaster. They remember those lost before being reminded that none are ever truly lost by Grandmaster Yoda and Veter. Seeing a slightly more youthful Yoda for even a brief cameo helps establish this as a Star Wars story, which is helpful as the tone and pacing are otherwise different from traditional Star Wars.

Yoda announces that he will not be staying on Jedi Council even as Veter tells Kriss she will be in charge of the Beacon. After losing local friends to the swarm, Keeve calls in and convinces Maru to redirect the Beacon’s broadcast signal to allow the swarm to follow her ship and move back to their ancient migratory route. Keeve and Sskeer return to the beacon where Kriss rewards Keeve’s quick thinking with Jedi Knighthood.

The issue ends with a grand dedication ceremony of the Starlight Beacon as the Jedi Knights gather and raise their lightsabers for light and life followed by an ominous epilogue. This issue holds massive promise with defined, interesting characters and a large cast reminiscent of the Green Lantern Corps. Whatever the larger story of The High Republic becomes it is clear that there is a dedication to strong characters and a classic fantasy tone. This book is in good hands with Cavan Scott and the amazing artistic team. Here’s hoping that the other entries to The High Republic live up to the promise of this fantastic initial entry.

Writing: 4.7 of 5 stars
Art: 4.5 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.7 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.6 of 5 stars

Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: 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.