REVIEW: Star Wars: The High Republic—Eye of the Storm #1

In what might be the most important Star Wars comic in a decade, Charles Soule gives us the origin of Marchion Ro in Star Wars: The High Republic—Eye of the Storm #1. This is the beginnings of the ultimate villain of the High Republic era and potentially the basis for the Video Game spinning out of the era.

This book lays out the villainous tale we’ve seen formed over the past year of books and comics. We begin with an understanding of Marchion’s people who emerge from a natural disaster that destroys the balance of their entire civilization. This creates an opening for power struggles and massive war. Eventually the Evereni wipe out all that remains of their world and take to the stars.

Charles Soule does an amazing job of showing us how the events of this world shape the language of the Nihil, filled with Tempests and Storms. The Everini take their war across the galaxy. We get to see the beginnings of the paths as Marchion meets Mari San Tekka as his father and grandmother realize the potential he wields. An act of matricide rushes that fate.

Marchion’s father then exerts his authority by ordering to take those who challenge down in a space battle using Mari’s paths to allow hyperdrive micro jumps. Marchion’s father takes over and formulates the beginnings of the Nihil structure as we know it, including allowing leaders including Pan and Lourna Dee to operate with some degree of independence. Finally we witness the fateful death of Marchion’s father and Marchion’s growth into the new Eye of the Nihil.

This is some of the best art we have seen in the High Republic comics, and that is definitely saying something given the caliber of all these books. The art is moody and bedraggled, reflecting the war-torn Everini and war-like Nihil. The High Republic comics keep topping themselves with great artists and this story and art are the perfect beginning for one of the most complex, interesting villains in the Star Wars mythos.

Writing: 4.6 of 5 stars
Art: 4.7 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.8 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.7 of 5 stars

Writing: Charles Soule
Art: Guillermo Sanna
Colors: Jim Campbell
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.