Review: Star Wars The High Republic Adventures #11

So much of the High Republic era is about failed or tragic mentors. The absence of Yoda is even more pronounced with the repeated loss of adult role models in these stories. So it’s an absolute joy to read Star Wars High Republic #11 and get a truly great moment of joy invoking a Jedi Master. The Jedi Padawan are the focus for much of the issue as a massive Rumble Race takes place.

This is basically a foot race version of Anakin’s pod race as the Jedi trip over each other and try every trick in the book to reach the finish line first. Buckets of Blood announces that the only rule of the race is that there are no rules to the race. Lula and Zeen take a break from their anxiety to join the melee.

This is a perfect showcase for the detailed, resplendent art by Harvey Tolibao. It’s impossible to overstate the insane level of artistry in every panel of this book. The characters and colors are a true treat for the eyes. It’s exceptional to have art of this quality in a book for all ages. The race shows the massive depth of the cast that has built up from the last year of High Republic stories. Daniel Jose Older balances out action and character moments wonderfully. He also knows how to remind us of the personalities of many of the characters in the large cast. In spite of this, The High Republic series as a whole would really benefit from face pages reminding us of all the characters appearing in each book, or at least a website readers could be directed to reminding us who is who.

Meanwhile on Corellia, Krix is facing betrayal from his Nihil troops as Respriler and Sabata plot to overtake him. As they watch their own more violent sport, they plan to send Krix on a violent collision course with Zeen, in turn forcing the Jedi to betray their codes to avenge her.

On Starlight, the Padawan’s take turns gaining the lead before Buckets of Blood joins the race at the finish line itself and declares himself the winner. It’s a massive, silly moment and a perfect encapsulation of his rambunctious character. As much as this book is about the young Jedi and their friends, it is so great seeing a mentor and Jedi Master simply showing some joy in this world.

This issue is a much needed breather and character based issue, building up both sides of the conflict to come in their own way, with unity and camaraderie on the side of the Jedi and cutthroat planning by the Nihil.

Writing: 4.6 of 5 stars
Art: 5 of 5 stars
Colors: 5 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.8 of 5 stars

Writer: Daniel Jose Older
Art: Harvey Tolibao
Colors: Rebecca Nalty
Publisher: IDW Publishing

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.