REVIEW: STAR WARS THE HIGH REPUBLIC #2

Star Wars The High Republic #2 continues the third phase of this series. One of the worst aspects of phase 1 of Star Wars The High Republic was the repetition in killing off older Jedi. This seemed purposeful in light of the decision to age up the padawans and knights between phase 1 and phase 3.

This issue reminds us that Cavan Scott refuses to be predictable as he thankfully bucks that trend by the end of this issue. The main conflict of the issue is a battle between former Nihil Lourna Dee and Jedi Master Keeve Trennis over the loyalty of the Hutt Cartel.

The Hutt Cartel here is being led by Skarabda who is convinced the Jedi killed his sister. Keeve eventually allows her mind to be read by Masakene in order to convinced him that it was Lourna who killed his sister. Masakene’s efforts at reading Keeve’s mind begin the issue. This allows us to flashback to her Padawan trials.

The art by Jim Towe this issue is much rougher than the polished art we have come to expect from this series. It represents the characters well but the details are just less sharp giving the colors a blurred effect. Things don’t go well with Keeve’s first Jedi trial but Sskeer sees her potential and takes her on as apprentice.

In current time Keeve stands up to the mental attack well and slowly realizes that Skarabda is working with Lourna Dee only out of vengeance for the death of his sister Myarga. In space, Ceret and Velko Jahen fight off an attack of Hutt forces with the help of Ai-dan Yelooc. On the surface Terec and Republic forces take on The Nameless and the disfigured Child of the Storm Brother Lycos.

In the compound Lourna tries to stop Keeve from revealing her part in the death of Myarga. But Keeve allows Masakene to read her mind revealing Lourna killed the Hutt sister. The Hutts quickly switch sides against Lourna and the Nihil forces. The Jedi turn the tide but as Brother Lycos dies he reveals who disfigured him: Sskeer who is still alive but unable to control his darkest violent urges. As always this book is incredibly entertaining with great character work and some truly great art. This issue is limited by some lack of detail on that art but this book remains top form.

Writing: 4.8 of 5 stars
Art: 3.8 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.0 of 5 stars

Overall:
4.0 of 5 stars

Writer: Cavan Scott
Art: Jim Towe
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.