The start of a new venture like The High Republic is always going to attract attention from the content-hungry masses, but when that launch – originally planned for just a few days before Star Wars Celebration in August 2020 – is delayed, like Celebration, by the coronavirus pandemic, then the interest is escalated even more. Much like the novel Light of the Jedi that launched the era, the comic title from Marvel grabbed major attention, but in the safe and steady hands of Cavan Scott it quickly became not only a big-selling title, but a crowd-pleaser.
We’re introduced to the title’s two focal characters, the Trandoshan Jedi Master Sskeer and his padawan, the feisty Keeve Trennis. Keeve is high on talent but low on self-belief, and we watch as Sskeer convinces her that she is worthy and powerful enough in the Force to achieve her potential, a destiny that can’t come quickly enough for the galaxy as the Drengir, a plant-like race that has been in hibernation on thousands of worlds for eons, are awakened. Communicating through a hive-mind, the Dregir explode across the galaxy, just as another threat, that of the pirate-like Nihil, threatens to engulf the stars during what should be its greatest years.
Our Jedi encounter stricken ships with slain Hutts as the insidious tendrils of the Drengir take control of one of their greatest Jedi, while populations of worlds spread across the galaxy are decimated. It’s a clever ploy by the Project Luminous writing team to split the threat between Drengir and Nihil, stretching characters like Marshal Avar Kriss thin, fighting furiously against the Drengir as her compatriots battle the Nihil. When the Hutts arrive – as slimy and untrustworthy as we know them from the original trilogy era – and a pact is made to work with the Jedi to counter the Drengir threat, you know things have got bad.
As is now expected with Cavan Scott stories, the characters are well-drawn, and with the artistic duo of the unmatchable Phil Noto on covers and Ario Anindito on interior art, the stories shine. Annalisa Leoni on colours adds depth and energy to the already kinetic art, and as a team they bring to vivid life these new characters, inhabiting a galaxy we know, but with a twist. We start with no wars, no sith, little conflict, and a Republic keen to reach out to the Rim and bring all worlds of the galaxy into the fold, launching the ambitious Starlight Beacon, the first of many such stations, to embolden their claim that ‘We are all the Republic.’ It’s a commonly heard statement through the books and comics, and as we progress, one that is severely tested as Padawans, Knights, and Masters fight for their lives against the encroaching darkness.
It’s very different, and thankfully not as olde-worldy as might be expected, and there are a LOT of characters to meet and familiarise yourself with, but it’s worth the effort, and as such Volume 1 – There Is No Fear – is a key part of Phase 1 of The High Republic. Recommended, to ease into the era and learn the background of what is certain to be a downhill slalom of obstacles for the Republic and Jedi of the era.
STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC – VOL 1 is on sale from September 9th
