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Star Wars: The High Republic - Shadows of Starlight
Star Wars: The High Republic - Shadows of Starlight #1
WHO LIVED? WHO DIED? ANSWERS TO THE GREATEST CATASTROPHE OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE JEDI! Little has been revealed about the year following the fall of STARLIGHT BEACON and the ultimate triumph of THE NIHIL...until now! THE JEDI COUNCIL, reeling from its losses, has recalled its JEDI KNIGHTS from across the galaxy and instituted the emergency measures. MASTER YODA has a plan to save the Order and the galaxy, but he must touch the dark side to achieve it...and the consequences will be grave indeed.
30 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 4, 2023
8 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
Charles Soule
1,517 books1,692 followersCharles Soule is a #1 New York Times-bestselling novelist, comics author, screenwriter, musician, and lapsed attorney. He has written some of the most prominent stories of the last decade for Marvel, DC and Lucasfilm in addition to his own work, such as his comics Curse Words, Letter 44 and Undiscovered Country, and his original novels Light of the Jedi, The Endless Vessel, The Oracle Year and Anyone. He lives in New York.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
October 6, 2023
To put it simply: what. an. issue. Shadows of Starlight #1 does not mess around with exposition or build-up and uses its thirty pages to its full extent to not just catch up High Republic readers, but also tie both previous Phases together and reveal major developments.
From the shocking revelation of the mysterious hooded figure to small elements such as the mention of a Phase 2 character or the depiction of a memorial for the lost Jedi, every panel serves a purpose. Every page packs an emotional punch. Every sentence makes it abundantly clear that this is the beginning of the Order's transformation into the rigid institution we know it to be from the prequels - politically as well as in its very own set of rules.
While I also love the art for the most part, I have a small gripe with the coloration, as characters such as Keaton Murag or Elzar Mann look washed out compared to what their concept art or character descriptions display. I hope that can be fixed in further issues and that more attention gets paid to the visual depiction of POC characters.
I really appreciate what Soule did with this issue. Within limited space, he caught us up with the Guardian Protocols and immediately showed us their implementation. He also gave us a glimpse at where other Jedi might be and how their colleagues react to their separation. Above all, I love that this issue made us question morale: should the safe Jedi be running after their friends? Is there really a purpose to their separation? How far can you go to trust a corrupted person carrying knowledge with them? And was that decision a Jedi Grandmaster made 150 years ago really justified or does it only doom our heroes more now?
The next weeks, months and years will give us an answer to those questions, and I for one cannot wait. Every single High Republic work carries a certain amount of pain and gravity with it, as did this issue, and I am more than intrigued to see the payoff for the struggles the Jedi and readers are facing again, starting now. Phase 3, here we go!
From the shocking revelation of the mysterious hooded figure to small elements such as the mention of a Phase 2 character or the depiction of a memorial for the lost Jedi, every panel serves a purpose. Every page packs an emotional punch. Every sentence makes it abundantly clear that this is the beginning of the Order's transformation into the rigid institution we know it to be from the prequels - politically as well as in its very own set of rules.
While I also love the art for the most part, I have a small gripe with the coloration, as characters such as Keaton Murag or Elzar Mann look washed out compared to what their concept art or character descriptions display. I hope that can be fixed in further issues and that more attention gets paid to the visual depiction of POC characters.
I really appreciate what Soule did with this issue. Within limited space, he caught us up with the Guardian Protocols and immediately showed us their implementation. He also gave us a glimpse at where other Jedi might be and how their colleagues react to their separation. Above all, I love that this issue made us question morale: should the safe Jedi be running after their friends? Is there really a purpose to their separation? How far can you go to trust a corrupted person carrying knowledge with them? And was that decision a Jedi Grandmaster made 150 years ago really justified or does it only doom our heroes more now?
The next weeks, months and years will give us an answer to those questions, and I for one cannot wait. Every single High Republic work carries a certain amount of pain and gravity with it, as did this issue, and I am more than intrigued to see the payoff for the struggles the Jedi and readers are facing again, starting now. Phase 3, here we go!
October 5, 2023
“Lost in the dark side you may be, but found, lost things may be, mm? The light is never gone. It is always waiting.”
Shadows of Starlight kicks of Phase 3 of the High Republic with a story that follows, for the most part, the Jedi Council and their actions for a year as they try and navigate the tumultuous situation after the fall of Starlight Beacon.
This issue was brilliant, truly wonderful. Not only is the art stunning, but the storytelling is top notch. I loved how this issue tied together phase 1 and phase 2 and made me so goddamn hyped for phase 3. I had my issues with phase 2 of the High Republic, but this issue alone made me so happy that they decided to go back in time for the second part of this larger story cause getting to see just a glimpse of how all those events, characters and stories are impacting the larger story now, was wonderful. I may not have loved phase 2 like I did phase 2, but it is so, so worth it and makes this era feel so much richer and more compelling. This issue also offered the reader small glimpses into the mindsets of beloved phase 1 characters such as Reath Silas, Elzar Mann and Lina Soh.
One of my favorite aspects of this issue was the reveal that Yoda's companion at the end of Midnight Horizon was I love what he brought to this story and the person he's become. It feel authentic to who he used to be, and I could see all this happening to him. I mean, by the end He is a fascinating character, as I understand him even if I do not like all that he does or the choices he has made.
Another thing I loved was seeing how all the chaos of Starlight's fall and the Nihil's Occlusion Zone starts to transform the Jedi on a philosophical and a material level. The idea of the Guardian Protocols and the Jedi embracing a new kind of role in the Republic - role of soldiers and active warriors - echoes what will happen to them later on during the Prequel era, and made me sad, cause even though I understand that they feel like they need to step up and do what they can - and, let's face it, what they can do well is fight - it killed me to see this first step in their moral, philosophical downfall. They are not meant to be warriors, but they give up their purpose to protect people: it's a lose-lose situation, cause in fighting they give up their true calling but in refusing they would condemn innocents to death. It all echoes the prequel era and the clone wars in such a deliciously sad way. In terms of the material change in the Jedi, I loved the fact that we got to see them beginning to The prequel era Jedi are much more homogenous, much more focused on everyone being the same kind of Jedi, and it made me sad to see this little step taken in that direction. It's a small thing, but it's a sign of a bigger wave of change that's starting to corrode the glory days of the Jedi.
Charles Soule is a wonderful comic writer and knocks it out of the park yet again! I cannot wait for the next issues and I am so, so pumped for phase 3!
Shadows of Starlight kicks of Phase 3 of the High Republic with a story that follows, for the most part, the Jedi Council and their actions for a year as they try and navigate the tumultuous situation after the fall of Starlight Beacon.
This issue was brilliant, truly wonderful. Not only is the art stunning, but the storytelling is top notch. I loved how this issue tied together phase 1 and phase 2 and made me so goddamn hyped for phase 3. I had my issues with phase 2 of the High Republic, but this issue alone made me so happy that they decided to go back in time for the second part of this larger story cause getting to see just a glimpse of how all those events, characters and stories are impacting the larger story now, was wonderful. I may not have loved phase 2 like I did phase 2, but it is so, so worth it and makes this era feel so much richer and more compelling. This issue also offered the reader small glimpses into the mindsets of beloved phase 1 characters such as Reath Silas, Elzar Mann and Lina Soh.
One of my favorite aspects of this issue was the reveal that Yoda's companion at the end of Midnight Horizon was I love what he brought to this story and the person he's become. It feel authentic to who he used to be, and I could see all this happening to him. I mean, by the end He is a fascinating character, as I understand him even if I do not like all that he does or the choices he has made.
Another thing I loved was seeing how all the chaos of Starlight's fall and the Nihil's Occlusion Zone starts to transform the Jedi on a philosophical and a material level. The idea of the Guardian Protocols and the Jedi embracing a new kind of role in the Republic - role of soldiers and active warriors - echoes what will happen to them later on during the Prequel era, and made me sad, cause even though I understand that they feel like they need to step up and do what they can - and, let's face it, what they can do well is fight - it killed me to see this first step in their moral, philosophical downfall. They are not meant to be warriors, but they give up their purpose to protect people: it's a lose-lose situation, cause in fighting they give up their true calling but in refusing they would condemn innocents to death. It all echoes the prequel era and the clone wars in such a deliciously sad way. In terms of the material change in the Jedi, I loved the fact that we got to see them beginning to The prequel era Jedi are much more homogenous, much more focused on everyone being the same kind of Jedi, and it made me sad to see this little step taken in that direction. It's a small thing, but it's a sign of a bigger wave of change that's starting to corrode the glory days of the Jedi.
Charles Soule is a wonderful comic writer and knocks it out of the park yet again! I cannot wait for the next issues and I am so, so pumped for phase 3!
October 4, 2023
Oh this 3rd wave is going to be good, so dark, so sad, but so good.
October 21, 2023
Only 30 pages in and Phase 3 of The High Republic has already got me hooked! I loved how they have tied Phase 2 into it too. Can’t wait for more!
April 7, 2025
ok so wow. WOWWWW
You’re telling me that the Jedi stopped with their individualistic approach to their lightsabers because of the Guardian Protocol, where they basically had to mass produce lightsabers so they all turned out similarly? That is actually so sad because if the Nihil hadn’t destroyed Starlight, the Jedi order probably would’ve been a lot more ‘open’ with everything, from their lightsabers to their outfits to their ideals. Even Order 66 could’ve had a totally different outcome.
Avar Kriss is missing?!! I’m confused because I’m pretty sure I read a short story in Tales of Light and Life where Avar and Elzar were both helping out refugees after Starlight fell. And I’m pretty sure right after Starlight crashed in Eiram’s sea, Elzar and Avar met back up which led to them helping others. So how in the world is Avar missing? I’m guessing Elzar went back to the Jedi temple on Coruscant and then Avar didn’t follow? Anyway, she’s apparently stuck in the Occlusion Zone and they need to get my girl out 🙏🙏🙏 or not. bc the Jedi council definitely were not about to go out there to get any of the missing Jedi 😭😭💀 “they’re in the right place” girl no most of them are probably going to die there
Elzar is real for that tho. Like they need to find the missing jedi. Also this whole ordeal i feel like is kind of beginning the fall of the jedi era (even tho thats more Acolyte era than now). But like i can tell with all of the new protocols that they’re now making the jedi into fighters instead of protectors and scientists and innovators and whatever other Jedi jobs there are.
I also know that later on there’s gonna be a Firebrands POV and I’m nottt ready bro😭😭😭
Azlin Rell is lowk scary but yk what I see his point. Also this was a really long issue #1 considering how they’re usually a lot shorter, but with Star Wars I’ve noticed that they’re longer than usual. Anyways #saveAvar
Wait I just noticed something. This is leading into The Eye of Darkness so I’m assuming that Avar and Elzar are going to meet up at some point idfk
You’re telling me that the Jedi stopped with their individualistic approach to their lightsabers because of the Guardian Protocol, where they basically had to mass produce lightsabers so they all turned out similarly? That is actually so sad because if the Nihil hadn’t destroyed Starlight, the Jedi order probably would’ve been a lot more ‘open’ with everything, from their lightsabers to their outfits to their ideals. Even Order 66 could’ve had a totally different outcome.
Avar Kriss is missing?!! I’m confused because I’m pretty sure I read a short story in Tales of Light and Life where Avar and Elzar were both helping out refugees after Starlight fell. And I’m pretty sure right after Starlight crashed in Eiram’s sea, Elzar and Avar met back up which led to them helping others. So how in the world is Avar missing? I’m guessing Elzar went back to the Jedi temple on Coruscant and then Avar didn’t follow? Anyway, she’s apparently stuck in the Occlusion Zone and they need to get my girl out 🙏🙏🙏 or not. bc the Jedi council definitely were not about to go out there to get any of the missing Jedi 😭😭💀 “they’re in the right place” girl no most of them are probably going to die there
Elzar is real for that tho. Like they need to find the missing jedi. Also this whole ordeal i feel like is kind of beginning the fall of the jedi era (even tho thats more Acolyte era than now). But like i can tell with all of the new protocols that they’re now making the jedi into fighters instead of protectors and scientists and innovators and whatever other Jedi jobs there are.
I also know that later on there’s gonna be a Firebrands POV and I’m nottt ready bro😭😭😭
Azlin Rell is lowk scary but yk what I see his point. Also this was a really long issue #1 considering how they’re usually a lot shorter, but with Star Wars I’ve noticed that they’re longer than usual. Anyways #saveAvar
Wait I just noticed something. This is leading into The Eye of Darkness so I’m assuming that Avar and Elzar are going to meet up at some point idfk
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2025
"Really liked it!" - 4 out of 5 star rating.
The best High Republic (HR) comic I've ever touched!
However.. this is only my 2nd one, lol.
I made the mistake of starting with The High Republic #1 prior to reading this. I found myself very lost and surrounded by a dozen characters I was entirely unfamiliar with, combined with multiple story lines all firing off in parallel as I went through the panels.
Upon completion, I was presented with a checklist at the very last page - showing that THIS is actually the starting point and not "High Republic #1"... lol.
Anyway, now that I have circled back and started where I am supposed to, Shadows of Starlight #1 does an excellent job of walking the reading through the current events, introducing key characters by name, and setting everything up to what is coming ahead.
Now that I have the foundational knowledge established - I am going to reread HR #1 and hopefully have a much better experience that my first go-round.
Hoping that this HR comic book journey is a good one! Here we go.
The best High Republic (HR) comic I've ever touched!
However.. this is only my 2nd one, lol.
I made the mistake of starting with The High Republic #1 prior to reading this. I found myself very lost and surrounded by a dozen characters I was entirely unfamiliar with, combined with multiple story lines all firing off in parallel as I went through the panels.
Upon completion, I was presented with a checklist at the very last page - showing that THIS is actually the starting point and not "High Republic #1"... lol.
Anyway, now that I have circled back and started where I am supposed to, Shadows of Starlight #1 does an excellent job of walking the reading through the current events, introducing key characters by name, and setting everything up to what is coming ahead.
Now that I have the foundational knowledge established - I am going to reread HR #1 and hopefully have a much better experience that my first go-round.
Hoping that this HR comic book journey is a good one! Here we go.
October 12, 2023
This introduces too many characters, politics, lore, and so on at once too make it easily digestible to new readers of the canon High Republic material, and at that point, why even make it a #1 for new readers to try to jump on to it.
I like a lot of what is here, but I also feel like there is a fair bit that goes over my head just because I haven't read all of the the other high Republic novels and comics yet.
I like Star Wars media that has in universe politics to follow, and I do like seeing the militarization of the Jedi begin which leads to much of their corruption as seen in the prequels and I like seeing the various responses from Jedi on how they feel about this.
I think my opinions here would be a bit different if I had read all the other High Republic content, but because there is so much and it comes out at such a quick rate that could take a while and I assumed a new Star Wars #1 would ease readers into it but I feel like a lot here is not explained well.
I like a lot of what is here, but I also feel like there is a fair bit that goes over my head just because I haven't read all of the the other high Republic novels and comics yet.
I like Star Wars media that has in universe politics to follow, and I do like seeing the militarization of the Jedi begin which leads to much of their corruption as seen in the prequels and I like seeing the various responses from Jedi on how they feel about this.
I think my opinions here would be a bit different if I had read all the other High Republic content, but because there is so much and it comes out at such a quick rate that could take a while and I assumed a new Star Wars #1 would ease readers into it but I feel like a lot here is not explained well.
February 22, 2024
Aftermath of the Fall of Starlight Beacon
This is the first of a four issue series that details what happened after the fall of Starlight Beacon. This series should be read before you read the book “The Eye of Darkness” by George Mann. We learn some basic protocols and the strategy the Order undertakes following the fall of the Beacon. All Jedi are recalled to Coruscant and Yoda attempts to find help regarding The Nameless creatures that plague the Jedi. Because there is so much content by so many different writers, some of which are inconsistent, I focus on only a few, favorites being Mann and Cavan Scott. Soule is pretty good as well. I’m still ticked they killed off Stellan Gios.
The High Republic was supposed to be the Jedi at the height of their powers which is not in effect in the High Republic series. Doesn’t come near the Old Republic and Knights of the Old Republic.
This is the first of a four issue series that details what happened after the fall of Starlight Beacon. This series should be read before you read the book “The Eye of Darkness” by George Mann. We learn some basic protocols and the strategy the Order undertakes following the fall of the Beacon. All Jedi are recalled to Coruscant and Yoda attempts to find help regarding The Nameless creatures that plague the Jedi. Because there is so much content by so many different writers, some of which are inconsistent, I focus on only a few, favorites being Mann and Cavan Scott. Soule is pretty good as well. I’m still ticked they killed off Stellan Gios.
The High Republic was supposed to be the Jedi at the height of their powers which is not in effect in the High Republic series. Doesn’t come near the Old Republic and Knights of the Old Republic.
April 6, 2024
Late to the party, but wow that was a really good way to pick up from where we last were in Phase 1.
This comic particularly had me feeling like it was "Jedi All Stars" because it's such a collection of characters we've known and newly introduced. I have to highlight: the Jedi Council, Reath and whom I think is Ady Sunzee?? (I actually want to see more of her, I know she's for one of the parks games, so the bigger public don't actually have access to her story), and of course, Yoda and Azlin Rell. Especially Azlin.
He is such a unique character, one of the most tragic because of his experience with the Nameless in Phase 2. I honestly find it appalling how calm Yoda is, as if he wasn't part of covering up the existence of these creatures back then lol 💀
Anyway, I'm so happy I am finally on my way to Phase 3. I hope I can be caught up soon:)
This comic particularly had me feeling like it was "Jedi All Stars" because it's such a collection of characters we've known and newly introduced. I have to highlight: the Jedi Council, Reath and whom I think is Ady Sunzee?? (I actually want to see more of her, I know she's for one of the parks games, so the bigger public don't actually have access to her story), and of course, Yoda and Azlin Rell. Especially Azlin.
He is such a unique character, one of the most tragic because of his experience with the Nameless in Phase 2. I honestly find it appalling how calm Yoda is, as if he wasn't part of covering up the existence of these creatures back then lol 💀
Anyway, I'm so happy I am finally on my way to Phase 3. I hope I can be caught up soon:)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 8, 2023
I feel like it's not so subtle naming a character Azlin. It's interesting how this idea of an apostate almost fits thematically with The Mandalorian. But this kind of went against expectations.
November 19, 2023
Let’s GO!!!! 😜😜😜👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 I’m ready!!! Phase 3 baby!!!
December 12, 2023
A very detailed and lovingly composed story.
Even characters from one of the children's books appear. Cute idea. Very good character description.
Even characters from one of the children's books appear. Cute idea. Very good character description.
January 15, 2024
This issue gets me so excited for what phase 3 has to bring!
January 20, 2024
El cómic sabe cual es su público y hace un excelente trabajo en ello (amo star wars)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews