Review: Star Wars: The High Republic #5

Star Wars is many things to many people. But at its heart, it can be argued, it’s mainly about people and politics. In Star Wars The High Republic #5 from Dark Horse Comics, these two pillars take center stage.

Yes, the Force is present here and the main character is a Jedi (a Jedi-dropout technically) but the cast mainly consists of two rag-tag teams with competing goals stuck on a planet in the midst of social and political upheaval. Writer Daniel Jose Older has created an entertaining cast of characters. A feat made even more impressive since they are no Star Wars Universe heavy hitters appearing in the book (yet).

Savina (the Jedi dropout) is on an undercover mission infiltrating a gang to find the leader of her gang. The highlight of the issue however is another gang stuck on the same planet. A crew consisting of characters with some of the most Star Wars-y Star Wars names ever put to paper including gems like Dexter Jettser and Therm Sicssorpunch. Not only are their names cool, they’re characters with some real character that immediately steal the show. And even though they are “criminals”, they’ll likely be the ones you’ll be rooting for.

Harvey Tolibao’s art is also a star here. With the license’s iconic alien races this could’ve been a simple cut and paste job, but Tolibao has created some truly unique new characters and designs. The colors are bright and the characters are expressive. It’s hitting all the right sci-fi and Star Wars vibes aesthetically.

Add to this mix some actual Jedi and two warring factions with cool spaceships and weaponry apparently ready to throw down. This issue provides a solid amount of action with one of the gangs getting to strut their stuff in a massive brawl and Savina and her companion getting to break out their force powers briefly. The action pops off the pages thanks to some dazzling art. But intrigue is the main course here. How much longer can Savina hold her cover? What do an extremist cult and a handful of Jedi Knights have to do with impending war on this far-flung planet? What’s the deal with the space-pirate bounty hunter?

Overall, the team behind the issue has done a good job of giving long-time Star Wars fans something new yet still comforting. New fun characters caught up in the timeless Star Wars Republic madness. Well worth checking out.

Writing – 5 Stars
Art – 4 Stars
Coloring – 5 Stars

Overall – 4.5 Stars

Written by; Daniel Jose Older
Art by; Harvey Tolibao
Colors by; Michael Atiyeh
Letters by; Tyler Smith and Jimmy Betancourt
Published by; Dark Horse Comics

Author Profile

Christopher R. Ford

Writer, author, and blogger. Published author of three children's books and also writes for the boy Creators For The Culture. Part-time sneaker head, full time nerd.