Review: Star Wars The High Republic #4

The High Republic Saga has maintained a incredible level of quality across the line and this arc by Cavan Scott and Ario Anindito is an absolute joy because of its strong storytelling and great characters. The greatest character thus far in the High Republic mythos is the Jedi Master Sskeer and the largest relief of this arc is that Sskeer remains a hero at the end of this issue.

The Drengir are a plant-like species once allied with the Sith before being trapped for eons. Their connection to the galaxy has been reawakened after the events of the novel Into The Dark and now they attack the Jedi on Sedri Minor. Keeve Trennis is devastated by not only being trapped by the Drengir but also having her former Jedi master Sskeer now in their thrall. She recalls the lessons Sskeer taught her about continually striving towards the light just as he seems to be engulfed by darkness. The Jedi Marshall Avar Kriss is also captured alongside Keeve and Ceret, but despite her best efforts she can’t sway Sskeer back from his connection with the Drengir.

Just as the Drengir are about to entirely burrow into the captured Jedi, Sskeer reveals he allowed himself to be drawn in to learn how to fight the Drengir and strikes at them freeing the Jedi. Aboard Starligjt Beacon, the archivist Orbalin and Jedi Maru, Rwoh and Cantaros investigate a slaughtered Hutt corpse only to find it has been infected by another Drengir that attacks them. Meanwhile on Sedri Minor the Jedi confront the corrupt village leader only to have his allies the Hutt Cartel attack.

The strong issue and larger arc succeeds by remaining laser focused on specific characters and conflicts. The art throughout the issue is top form with incredibly well done, defined and memorable characters. The Drengir here look much more sinister and well formed than the prior issue and they clearly are a viscerally frightening force with their tendency to take root inside hosts including the unfortunate dead Hutt.

The danger of The High Republic is the potential of trying to explore too many characters at once. Cavan Scott astutely gives us massive stakes and ominous threats, but focuses the narrative around Keeve and Sskeer. The fact that the creators can succeed this quickly in making us care deeply for characters and conflicts is a testament not only to the storytelling here, but also the care of the Star Wars story group across this line. All that being said, if Sskeer doesn’t survive the next issue, we riot.

Writing: 4.7 of 5 starsA
rt: 4.6 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.6 of 5 stars

Overall 4.6 of 5 stars

Writing: Cavan Scott
Art: Ario Anindito
Inks: 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.