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Star Wars: The High Republic (2023) (Single Issues)
Star Wars: The High Republic (2023-2024) #1
STAR THE HIGH REPUBLIC RETURNS FOR ITS EXPLOSIVE PHASE III! A year after the destruction of STARLIGHT BEACON, MARCHION RO and THE NIHIL stand victorious! The galaxy is in The once mighty JEDI are outclassed, the REPUBLIC is on its knees. On the edges of the galactic frontier, JEDI MASTER KEEVE TRENNIS leads a desperate assault against an invading force! The odds are stacked against her, but a Jedi always clings to hope. THE FORCE is with her…right? Not so fast!
32 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 8, 2023
4 people are currently reading
33 people want to read
About the author
Cavan Scott
860 books442 followersis a freelance comic writer and author. He is best known for his work on a variety of spin-offs from both Doctor Who and Star Wars, as well as comics and novels for Vikings, Pacific Rim, Sherlock Holmes, and Penguins of Madagascar.
Cavan Scott, along with Justina Ireland, Claudia Gray, Daniel Jose Older, and Charles Soule are crafting a new era in the Star Wars publishing world called Star Wars: The High Republic. Cavan's contribution to the era is a comic book series released through Marvel Comics titled Star Wars: The High Republic.
Cavan Scott, along with Justina Ireland, Claudia Gray, Daniel Jose Older, and Charles Soule are crafting a new era in the Star Wars publishing world called Star Wars: The High Republic. Cavan's contribution to the era is a comic book series released through Marvel Comics titled Star Wars: The High Republic.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 8, 2023
This is a spoiler review first published in German on Jedi-Bibliothek: https://jedi-bibliothek.de/2023/11/ma...
After Shadows of Starlight #1 got us in the mood for Phase III of the High Republic last month and Tales of Light and Life provided us with first impressions of the era following the fall of Starlight Beacon, the initiative is now finally back to its main comic run. The High Republic #1, written by Cavan Scott and illustrated by the team of Ario Anindito and Jim Towe, kicks off with an extended issue. Get ready for a nerve-wracking journey!
The Content
At last, the moment we've all been waiting for has arrived, and we may to once again accompany Keeve Trennis through all her highs and lows. Right at the beginning of the comic, a new crawl displayed on a black background sets the stage for the prevailing somber mood in the galaxy. Cavan Scott skillfully captures this atmosphere in the following plot, which brims with both political depth and action-packed sequences.
One aspect I particularly appreciated about this issue, spanning 36 pages and therefore able to convey substantially more content, is how balances this issue felt. This benefits the overall pacing of the story. While it's too early to make a final judgment on the series' pacing, I'm delighted to see that, at least in the series' initial stages, it starts off at a more measured pace while still managing to end with a gripping climax.
In the issue’s opening pages, we immediately get to dive straight back into Keeve's world of thoughts. This was a feature I enjoyed in Phase I already, and it once again comes to full fruition as we witness her inner turmoil regarding Sskeer's presumed demise on Starlight. The depiction of Keeve suffering from secondary traumatization, haunted by flashbacks to events she did not directly experience herself, is highly realistic. For those interested in psychology, let me digress for a moment: secondary trauma refers to a trauma that occurs after a time delay and without direct exposure to the initial traumatic event. This includes the transfer of PTSD symptoms to realtives or therapists. Despite not directly witnessing the stimuli related to the traumatic event, in this case portrayed through Sskeer's petrification, his perception being distorted by the Nameless, and the fire on Starlight's upper half, these experiences are processed into intrusive memories (flashbacks, nightmares) for Keeve. Scott narrates this aspect cleverly, not only creating further empathy for Keeve, but also leaving room for the reader's interpretation regarding Sskeer's true fate. The illustrations and plot work in perfect harmony, blurring the lines on whether we are merely witnessing Keeve's vivid intrusions or the actual fate of her master.
In terms of content, I'm also delighted to see both the Gios as the new Jedi flagship, stationed near the Occlusion Zone (already being abbreviated as O.Z.), as well as Velko Jahen in a more prominent role. Starlight's former administrator steps out of the confines of the Insider’s short stories and takes a prominent role in the spotlight of the main plot, where she immediately comes across as both likeable and competent, leaving me eager to see more of her! Another intriguing aspect is the fractured connection between Terec and Ceret, likely a lingering effect of the Nameless. I would have appreciated delving deeper into this, but given the plot, that might be challenging.
The first half of the issue also dedicates a good amount of time to establish the political landscape. Admittedly, I found myself rereading the relevant pages to grasp the intricacies of the alliances and new characters, however, once the underlying tensions become clear, an engaging power struggle emerges. I'm pleased to see that politics beyond the galactic core are given significant importance in the story. The appearance of Elzar Mann was another a delightful surprise at this point in the comic, as he seems to have transformed into Stellan – both physically and authoritatively.
In my opinion, the second half of the issue flew by, and I was surprised at how quickly I reached its conclusion. Encountering the Nihil emissaries, we are introduced to two still-mysterious yet intriguing characters I'm eager to learn more about. Brother Lycos, known as the 'Child of the Storm,' bears a striking resemblance to an Evereni and, as a Nameless guardian, exudes an intimidating presence even with our limited knowledge about him. It's somewhat disappointing that Santar, who used to be an unnamed background figure in Phase I, is essentially pulverized in what is his first substantial appearance. This, in turn, highlights the inherent dangers of operating in the vicinity of the O.Z. Fortunately, Keeve’s still got some plot armor going for her!
Towards the issue's conclusion, the origin of the cover and the reason as to why only one Kotabi remains is revealed. Even back in Phase I, I felt that there was missed potential in the twins, and unfortunately, this impression is somewhat affirmed here. While we haven't seen any trace of Terec’s body yet, it seems that they don’t get to take center stage once more. As per usual, however, the most thrilling twist arrives on the comic's final page. If you’d told me that I would become this invested in Lourna Dee at the beginning of Phase I, well, I probably wouldn't have believed it. Throughout that Phase and thanks to the audio drama Tempest Runner, Cavan Scott has managed to elicit more sympathy for Dee in me than she probably deserves. Nonetheless, her association with the Hutts is indeed quite peculiar and promises an intricate character dynamic. Personally, I'm hoping for an alliance between her and Keeve, as suggested by the issue's cover. They undoubtedly share a common enemy.
The Illustrations
The artwork in this issue is a collaborative effort between Ario Anindito and Jim Towe, and it maintains the consistently high quality we've come to expect from The High Republic. I can reiterate my impression of Phase I, where Ario Anindito beautifully portrayed Keeve with a wide range of emotional nuance, and Lourna Dee turned out to be one of my favorite character designs. I'm pleased to say that this remains true in 2023.
I also enjoyed Brother Lycos' terrifying design as well as the Nameless' attack, which are captured beautifully, adding to the overall visual appeal. The panels are dynamically arranged, varying between simple boxes, double-page spreads, and overlays. The varied perspectives immerse the reader and pull us right into the action.
One minor issue arises through the change of illustrators between the pages. While the difference in art styles is less pronounced than it was when there was a change of illustrators in Phase I, the variance between Anindito's clear, sharper lines and Towe's somewhat fuller, softer style is visible for keen eyes. It's not a critique of either illustrator; it's just a slight inconsistency in the overall visual presentation. Thankfully, this is a only a small bump in the issue’s art, and overall, its artwork remains truly awe-inspiring!
Conclusion
While I held little to no expectations for The High Republic #1 in terms of where the story would go - apart from Keeve Trennis’ return - my anticipation for this series had been building for months. Like many Phase I fans, I was hoping to be emotionally swept away again, just like the main series managed to do in 2021. This first issue fulfills that hope. Of course, Scott benefits from not needing to entirely reintroduce characters on the protagonists’ side and relies on the readers' established bond with the characters. However, portraying their emotional turmoil their and actions in a way that remains just as relatable and profound as before is no easy feat, and Scott fully accomplishes that in this issue. Familiar depth is interwoven with surprising alliances, greater challenges, and a new chain of command, all conveyed through high-quality, dynamic illustrations: Welcome back to the High Republic!
After Shadows of Starlight #1 got us in the mood for Phase III of the High Republic last month and Tales of Light and Life provided us with first impressions of the era following the fall of Starlight Beacon, the initiative is now finally back to its main comic run. The High Republic #1, written by Cavan Scott and illustrated by the team of Ario Anindito and Jim Towe, kicks off with an extended issue. Get ready for a nerve-wracking journey!
The Content
At last, the moment we've all been waiting for has arrived, and we may to once again accompany Keeve Trennis through all her highs and lows. Right at the beginning of the comic, a new crawl displayed on a black background sets the stage for the prevailing somber mood in the galaxy. Cavan Scott skillfully captures this atmosphere in the following plot, which brims with both political depth and action-packed sequences.
One aspect I particularly appreciated about this issue, spanning 36 pages and therefore able to convey substantially more content, is how balances this issue felt. This benefits the overall pacing of the story. While it's too early to make a final judgment on the series' pacing, I'm delighted to see that, at least in the series' initial stages, it starts off at a more measured pace while still managing to end with a gripping climax.
In the issue’s opening pages, we immediately get to dive straight back into Keeve's world of thoughts. This was a feature I enjoyed in Phase I already, and it once again comes to full fruition as we witness her inner turmoil regarding Sskeer's presumed demise on Starlight. The depiction of Keeve suffering from secondary traumatization, haunted by flashbacks to events she did not directly experience herself, is highly realistic. For those interested in psychology, let me digress for a moment: secondary trauma refers to a trauma that occurs after a time delay and without direct exposure to the initial traumatic event. This includes the transfer of PTSD symptoms to realtives or therapists. Despite not directly witnessing the stimuli related to the traumatic event, in this case portrayed through Sskeer's petrification, his perception being distorted by the Nameless, and the fire on Starlight's upper half, these experiences are processed into intrusive memories (flashbacks, nightmares) for Keeve. Scott narrates this aspect cleverly, not only creating further empathy for Keeve, but also leaving room for the reader's interpretation regarding Sskeer's true fate. The illustrations and plot work in perfect harmony, blurring the lines on whether we are merely witnessing Keeve's vivid intrusions or the actual fate of her master.
In terms of content, I'm also delighted to see both the Gios as the new Jedi flagship, stationed near the Occlusion Zone (already being abbreviated as O.Z.), as well as Velko Jahen in a more prominent role. Starlight's former administrator steps out of the confines of the Insider’s short stories and takes a prominent role in the spotlight of the main plot, where she immediately comes across as both likeable and competent, leaving me eager to see more of her! Another intriguing aspect is the fractured connection between Terec and Ceret, likely a lingering effect of the Nameless. I would have appreciated delving deeper into this, but given the plot, that might be challenging.
The first half of the issue also dedicates a good amount of time to establish the political landscape. Admittedly, I found myself rereading the relevant pages to grasp the intricacies of the alliances and new characters, however, once the underlying tensions become clear, an engaging power struggle emerges. I'm pleased to see that politics beyond the galactic core are given significant importance in the story. The appearance of Elzar Mann was another a delightful surprise at this point in the comic, as he seems to have transformed into Stellan – both physically and authoritatively.
In my opinion, the second half of the issue flew by, and I was surprised at how quickly I reached its conclusion. Encountering the Nihil emissaries, we are introduced to two still-mysterious yet intriguing characters I'm eager to learn more about. Brother Lycos, known as the 'Child of the Storm,' bears a striking resemblance to an Evereni and, as a Nameless guardian, exudes an intimidating presence even with our limited knowledge about him. It's somewhat disappointing that Santar, who used to be an unnamed background figure in Phase I, is essentially pulverized in what is his first substantial appearance. This, in turn, highlights the inherent dangers of operating in the vicinity of the O.Z. Fortunately, Keeve’s still got some plot armor going for her!
Towards the issue's conclusion, the origin of the cover and the reason as to why only one Kotabi remains is revealed. Even back in Phase I, I felt that there was missed potential in the twins, and unfortunately, this impression is somewhat affirmed here. While we haven't seen any trace of Terec’s body yet, it seems that they don’t get to take center stage once more. As per usual, however, the most thrilling twist arrives on the comic's final page. If you’d told me that I would become this invested in Lourna Dee at the beginning of Phase I, well, I probably wouldn't have believed it. Throughout that Phase and thanks to the audio drama Tempest Runner, Cavan Scott has managed to elicit more sympathy for Dee in me than she probably deserves. Nonetheless, her association with the Hutts is indeed quite peculiar and promises an intricate character dynamic. Personally, I'm hoping for an alliance between her and Keeve, as suggested by the issue's cover. They undoubtedly share a common enemy.
The Illustrations
The artwork in this issue is a collaborative effort between Ario Anindito and Jim Towe, and it maintains the consistently high quality we've come to expect from The High Republic. I can reiterate my impression of Phase I, where Ario Anindito beautifully portrayed Keeve with a wide range of emotional nuance, and Lourna Dee turned out to be one of my favorite character designs. I'm pleased to say that this remains true in 2023.
I also enjoyed Brother Lycos' terrifying design as well as the Nameless' attack, which are captured beautifully, adding to the overall visual appeal. The panels are dynamically arranged, varying between simple boxes, double-page spreads, and overlays. The varied perspectives immerse the reader and pull us right into the action.
One minor issue arises through the change of illustrators between the pages. While the difference in art styles is less pronounced than it was when there was a change of illustrators in Phase I, the variance between Anindito's clear, sharper lines and Towe's somewhat fuller, softer style is visible for keen eyes. It's not a critique of either illustrator; it's just a slight inconsistency in the overall visual presentation. Thankfully, this is a only a small bump in the issue’s art, and overall, its artwork remains truly awe-inspiring!
Conclusion
While I held little to no expectations for The High Republic #1 in terms of where the story would go - apart from Keeve Trennis’ return - my anticipation for this series had been building for months. Like many Phase I fans, I was hoping to be emotionally swept away again, just like the main series managed to do in 2021. This first issue fulfills that hope. Of course, Scott benefits from not needing to entirely reintroduce characters on the protagonists’ side and relies on the readers' established bond with the characters. However, portraying their emotional turmoil their and actions in a way that remains just as relatable and profound as before is no easy feat, and Scott fully accomplishes that in this issue. Familiar depth is interwoven with surprising alliances, greater challenges, and a new chain of command, all conveyed through high-quality, dynamic illustrations: Welcome back to the High Republic!
November 11, 2023
“Now and forever. I wasn’t with Sskeer at the end. I have no idea what it looked like. What they did to him. But that doesn’t stop me… filling in the gaps… over and over again. Each one final. Each one heartbreaking. Now… and forever.”
A year after the fall of Starlight Beacon, Keeve Trennis has been given the rank of master and she is leading the fight near the Occlusion Zone. She and her team are tasked with preventing a deal between the Nihil and the Hutts.
I'm so glad to be back with Keeve and all these other characters. She was one of the standout characters of phase 1 and I absolutely loved her journey from a nervous, doubt-riddled padawan to a more confident knight, and seeing her now, as a weary Jedi Master while still so young, is super exciting. I loved how this issue showed us where she is mentally and emotionally - she is haunted by the loss of her master and the destruction of Starlight Beacon, as so many Jedi are at this time, and even though she has become a leader and someone much more confident in her skills and position, she is still in a very vulnerable situation. I'm really intrigued to see where her character goes from here. But Keeve is not the only character who has gone through a lot and changed from the person they used to be: the twins Ceret and Terec, who used to pretty much share one mind, were put through the ringer by the Nameless and they have become more separate from each other, no longer harmoniously working together.
I'm intrigued by where this storyline will go. I especially like with how the Nameless are now a regular part of these stories, no longer just there to deliver a brutal ending or something the story works up to: no, the Nameless are now public knowledge and the Nihil is ready to use them whenever needed. It gives the stories of phase 3 a vibe of their own and a completely new sense of urgency, as you can never know when a Nameless will be introduced to the fight and all our beloved Jedi characters are thrust into immediate, deadly danger.
I am really excited to see where Cavan Scott takes this series and for phase 3 overall! The art for this series continues to be wonderful.
A year after the fall of Starlight Beacon, Keeve Trennis has been given the rank of master and she is leading the fight near the Occlusion Zone. She and her team are tasked with preventing a deal between the Nihil and the Hutts.
I'm so glad to be back with Keeve and all these other characters. She was one of the standout characters of phase 1 and I absolutely loved her journey from a nervous, doubt-riddled padawan to a more confident knight, and seeing her now, as a weary Jedi Master while still so young, is super exciting. I loved how this issue showed us where she is mentally and emotionally - she is haunted by the loss of her master and the destruction of Starlight Beacon, as so many Jedi are at this time, and even though she has become a leader and someone much more confident in her skills and position, she is still in a very vulnerable situation. I'm really intrigued to see where her character goes from here. But Keeve is not the only character who has gone through a lot and changed from the person they used to be: the twins Ceret and Terec, who used to pretty much share one mind, were put through the ringer by the Nameless and they have become more separate from each other, no longer harmoniously working together.
I'm intrigued by where this storyline will go. I especially like with how the Nameless are now a regular part of these stories, no longer just there to deliver a brutal ending or something the story works up to: no, the Nameless are now public knowledge and the Nihil is ready to use them whenever needed. It gives the stories of phase 3 a vibe of their own and a completely new sense of urgency, as you can never know when a Nameless will be introduced to the fight and all our beloved Jedi characters are thrust into immediate, deadly danger.
I am really excited to see where Cavan Scott takes this series and for phase 3 overall! The art for this series continues to be wonderful.
September 26, 2024
The High Republic (Phase III) 1
Brilliant start to a new series that I am already excited to get right into. New characters etc to rally behind, but still that great Star Wars spirit permeating the storyline.
Brilliant start to a new series that I am already excited to get right into. New characters etc to rally behind, but still that great Star Wars spirit permeating the storyline.
November 17, 2023
At last, we return to threads left hanging.
November 23, 2023
It’s so great to see Keeve and growth inside and out! Love that her locs have grown huni!!! Baby!!! I’m here for it!
November 26, 2023
Ahhhhh start of phase 3! Start of phase 3!!!!! Aaarrrggghh!!!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews