Review: Star Wars: The High Republic: Trail of Shadows #1

This is the greatest era of Star Wars literature and this book shows exactly why. Star Wars Trail of Shadows is filled with rich characterization, incredibly beautiful art, massive stakes and an incredible undercurrent of dread.

Daniel Jose Older has done so much great work with the younger Jedi characters that it’s shocking to see the depth and excitement he brings with a more mature cast. It is impossible to overstate just how epic and layered the work of David Wachter is. Wachter’s art is a completely immersive experience bringing to life new characters in the ever-growing New Republic universe.

The action starts with a murder mystery we were all a witness to in The Rising Storm novel with Loden Greatstorm being rescued from the Nihil only to turn to stone and lie shattered before Bell, Indeera and Stellan’s eyes at the climax of the Battle to Grizal. Stellan is oddly haunted by a childhood nursery rhyme as he recruits fellow Jedi Emerick Caphtor.

Meanwhile Sian Holt finds a very different mystery in a much seedier part of Coruscant when she follows her partner Keefer Branto. He’s meeting a troubled gangster named Urk Panga before they are all attacked by what seems to be a sith agent. The agent kills the others and Sian gets a shot in just before she passes out.

Emerick works with his droid buddy Cuetoo as they discuss the mystery of the haunting nursery rhyme as Stellan sends them to the mysterious Nihil base on Vrant Tarum with a small contingent. Here they battle a Nihil force before finding a temple with the words from the ominous Nursery Rhyme inscribed at its door.

This entire issue is so simple but executed so well. The characters are fresh and interesting, the setting are exciting, the tone is ominous and incredible art makes this a series that raises the standards of what a Star Wars comic can be. The High Republic has given us such a rich plethora of story-telling and such a rich cast that we almost want to simply get to know our current characters better. But the inclusion of the more adult characters and noir tone make this a new epic worth following.

Writing: 4.9 of 5 stars
Art: 4.8 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.8 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.8 of 5 stars

Writer: Daniel Jose Older
Artist: David Wachter
Colorist: Giada Marchisio
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.