Star Wars: The High Republic Phase III, Vol. 2: The Hunted

Star Wars: The High Republic (Marvel Comics)

by Cavan Scott

The next thrilling chapter of the HIGH REPUBLIC era of STAR WARS! Lightsabers clash as Keeve Trennis finally finds what she's been searching for in the Nihil Occlusion Zone! What is the secret of the ancient ruin? And can Keeve trust her former enemy Lourna Dee when she needs her the most? The Jedi's deepest fears manifest as a face from the past makes a shocking appearance! Keeve has gathered a band of battle-weary Jedi, pirates and wanderers - but how long will they remain united as the Children of the Storm make their move? Plus: The Nihil Minister of Advancement is revealed as Baron Boolan makes his presence known! And dive into the history of Kelnacca - the lightsaber-wielding Wookiee from hit Disney+ series THE ACOLYTE - as he makes his comic-book debut! Collects Star Wars: The High Republic (2023) #6-10 and Star Wars: The Acolyte - Kelnacca.

Genres: Star Wars, Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Fiction, Action

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 19, 2024

About the author

is 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.

Reviews

[Jesús De la Jara · Rating 3 out of 5]

En Kindosorn Terec y Ceret son los primeros en encontrarse a Tey Sirrek. Allí cuenta su historia centurias atrás donde él era un Guardián del Templo Kyber y se relacionó con el jedi Vildar Mac, así mismo se cuenta cómo tiene un artefacto sith poderoso la "Mano de Siberus". Mientras, la llamada hija de la tormenta H'Tar finalmente se lleva la niña que custodiaban todos al Baron Boolan.
Como Lourna Dee había puesto un rastreador en ella, todos tienen la oportunidad de combatir al Baron, sus hijos híbridos y a los Nameless. Esta confrontación tiene a varios participantes como Orbalin, los gemelos, Keeve, Skeer y Tey Sirrek. El final me sorprendió un poco y es muy imporante para lo que se viene.
Keeve nuevamente es demasiado moralista y creo que ésa será la razón de su caída. Nuevamenet vemos Nameless derrotados algo fácilmente.

[Jazmin Castro · Rating 4 out of 5]

villain becomes soft because of little girl? yeah, give me more

[Gabriel · Rating 3 out of 5]

not gonna make these reviews long as I kinda skimmed them. I like keeve and sskeer, but I'm not overly into the comics of THR.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Kelnacca one-shot included in this volume is my new favorite comic ever.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sskeer is still messed up lizard, only now he's nuder.



Some other stuff happens, too. We'll see how it all ends soon enough!

[Frédéric · Rating 2 out of 5]

A tad too long and obviously too predictable in some aspects (notably Dee) to be really convincing. Art lacks relief too and some alien races are much too Disney cartoony for my taste.

[Neil R. Coulter · Rating 2 out of 5]

The phrase is "and more besides," not "and more aside."

I don't enjoy Lourna Dee in any medium, but she looks truly awful in comic book form.

The issue about Kelnacca is the best part of this collection. Everything else in the story feels pointlessly frenetic. When Keeve, exasperated at all the talky-talky drivel, says, "Just please . . . for the love of the luminous . . . open the kriffing door," I could relate.

Is it me, or does it feel like the Nameless become less and less threatening as the High Republic goes on? It used to be that a Jedi couldn't be in the same town as one of them without losing their grip on reality. Now they can be hand-to-hand fighting a Nameless with no negative effect. These were supposed to be unstoppable, terrifying creatures, but now they've started to feel mundane. If a Jedi can walk right up to a Nameless and lop off its head with a lightsaber, what's the threat?

One other criticism: Please, Star Wars writers, stop killing characters only to have them reappear safe and sound a couple pages later. I'm wondering if by the end of the High Republic series, everyone who seemed to have died at any point along the way will magically reappear. Stellan Gios incoming, in 3 . . . 2 . . .

[Declan O'Keeffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

More high republic goodness from Cavan Scott. I didn't love the main arc as much as I wish I did. It definitely felt more like setup/padding waiting for the big finale next year. But I loved the character moments and the squabbles, and I do have a huge love for these characters.

The Kelnacca issue at the end was beautiful. A beautiful issue about the life of Jedi Master Kelnacca before The Acolyte. A fantastic portrayal of a giant of a man (wookiee) and an in-depth look at his character without him saying a word.

The art in this issue is gorgeous, and the writing is incredible as always by Cav Scott. As sad as I am about what happened with the Acolyte, if anyone was to give us the next bit of story from it, im glad it was him. If they want to carry on telling stories in the Acolyte world after the High Republic comics end next year, I'd be happy if Scott is the one to do it.

I'm so ready for Fear of the Jedi, I can't believe I have to wait till 2025 for it.

Edit: reread before tempest breaker

[Khurram · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good continuation of the High Republc Phase III. It was nice to see the return of a character from Phase II. Just for context, Phase II is a prequel to Phase I.

Keeve Trennis and her team are cut off from Republic space. Forget their enemies, and they trust each other? A number of reversals side changes, different agends, and a return. It is very hard to keep up with everything going on here.

The things I do like are the Jedi starting to build up a tolerance yo the Nameless and possible bit of a shift in the war. To be honest, the Nihil have been kicking the Republic/Jedi's @$$ so far. The book also contains a very good story about Master Kelnacca from Acolyte. The book finishes with a varient covers gallery.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay I really loved this one, excited for tempest breaker

[Ahdom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lightsabers clash as Keeve Trennis uncovers secrets in the Nihil Occlusion Zone. Amid ancient ruins and treacherous alliances, can Keeve trust Lourna Dee in her moment of need? The Jedi’s deepest fears come to life with a shocking face from the past, making this graphic novel a pretty thrilling read!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Issue #6: Read 05/05/24 4 stars
Issue #7: Read 07/08/24 4.5 stars
Issue #8: Read 07/08/24 3.5 stars
Issue #9: Read 07/08/24 3 stars
Issue #10: Read 09/13/24 3 stars

A pretty anticlimactic ending but I think I’m done with this series for now. Just so many phases and stages, hard to keep up.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Too many characters. Lots of action but it’s unsatisfying because little is accomplished. The Nameless were nerfed and nothing felt like a real threat.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

229 BBY, Phase III Book 2.
Keeve Trennis and her team have found Master Sskeer within the Nihil Occulsion Zone but they soon find themselves attacked by the Nameless and set for a confrontation with the demented Nihil scientist Baron Boolan.
Also included is a tale of Master Kelnacca from The Acolyte and his apprentices during the time of the High Republic.

Unfortunately, as with so much of the High Republic, this book feels like the series spinning its wheels without actually making any progress.
Sskeer is recovered, only to be lost and then recovered again. The Jedi confront the Nameless, barely escape and then confront them again and barely escape again. The growing tension between Terec and Ceret... continues to grow and be tense. Only Lourna Dee, finally showing some character development, and Tey Sirrek actually have anything to add which we haven't seen before and, in the case of Tey, most of that is just to remind us that the storytelling of Phase II was better than what we're getting now.
To add insult to injury, this book ends with a 'To be continued...' that isn't even for the next book in this series. Instead, we're expected to go to the audio drama 'Tempest Breaker' if we actually want to find out what happens next (and I can't help but remember how much I hated the script version of Scott's last audio drama, 'Tempest Runner'...).

Thankfully, this book does save something enjoyable for last, in the form of the Kelnacca one-shot, tying into The Acolyte TV series (flawed but honestly not as bad as some whinging fanboys claimed and definitely deserving of the second season it's been denied by soulless Disney executives).
In this story we see Kelnacca taking on a new apprentice in the immediate aftermath of the fall of Starlight Beacon and follow their relationship all the way through to the death of that apprentice, having become a Master himself, a century later. It's the kind of knitting-together of disparate lore and filling-in of character backstories that Star Wars print media should be doing and I greatly appreciated it.
Plus, surely you could never get fed up of seeing a Wookiee Jedi in action?

* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *

[Tyler Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Are we getting a secret Phase IV to the High Republic or is Phase III just going to be insanely long? Either way the High Republic returns in 2025 and I couldn’t be more excited to see it keep going. Hopefully we manage to uncancel the Acolyte so the full High Republic story can be seen. This volume was pretty good and these characters are all so good. Can’t wait to see what they do with them next and in what ways they tie into the larger story in 2025.

[Chris Lemmerman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book thinking it was the end of the High Republic comics, so when it didn't exactly wrap up, I felt like I'd been short-changed. Knowing now that there's another series to come, I can look back with more appreciative eyes.

Keeve Trennis heads into the Nihil Occlusion Zone to try and find her missing Master, and finds a few surprises along the way in the form of characters from the last two Phases as everything weaves together. Even not having read any of the other High Republic stuff outside of the comics, I feel engaged with these characters and like I'm getting a complete story, which was a worry I'd had when I was initially dipping my toe into the High Republic books.

Sets up some good stuff, progresses some things we've already seen, and feels like the natural evolution of the journey these characters have been on for three Phases.

[Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay set of issues for the Marvel High Republic series. I really like Baron Boolan as a villain, and the dynamic between the different characters (Keeve, Lourna, Sskeer) is interesting. It is also cool to see some characters from Phase II show up in this. I have some issues with the pacing, and it felt a bit weird that it ends abruptly to make room for the Tempest Breaker audio drama.

The highlight of the paperback was the Kelnacca one-shot. I was surprised at how good and how much I enjoyed that story. It really makes me wish we got more from Kelnacca in the Acolyte show or in other mediums.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 3 out of 5]

More accurate as a 3.5/5. I’m not disliking these comics but the plots feel thin and I never felt this disconnected from the characters like I did reading the Dark Horse run of KotoR. The Nameless continue to feel like a weird choice to limit the narrative weight of the Jedi, but their being akin to animals is just not very interesting. It’s taking way too long to get any plot movement with Ssker and Keeve feels flat. There’s some fun stuff in here with Lourna Dee, but otherwise…this all felt a bit hollow. I also have yet to start The Acolyte so the significance of Kelnacca is also a bit lost in me. Whoops!

[Craig · Rating 3 out of 5]

Between Marvel and Dark Horse, there are so many of these High Republic comics that it's hard to know what order to read them in or what story you're going to get. I'd almost forgotten about these characters--Keeve Trennis, Lourna Dee, Skeer, etc.--since the last volume featuring them that I'd read. This pretty much picks up the story right where it left off, with Trennis rescuing Skeer and trying to capture the evil Nihil, Baron Boolan. Plus, there's a nice single issue featuring the Wookie Jedi from The Acolyte television series, Kelnacca. There isn't a whole lot of depth to this, but the art is decent and it's a quick (and fun) read.

[Cale · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story actually feels like a pretty important piece to the overall High Republic story, as Keeve, Lourna Dee, Sskeer and more take on a prominent foe and may have brought closure to a story thread? Lots of action and adventure and actual character growth and change makes for an exciting read. The inclusion of the Kelnacca story felt out of place, but it gets a pass because it at least tells a somewaht touching story of masters and apprentices, even if Kelnacca is somewhat peripheral to the main plot.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I had known that this provides important background for a couple key things in the audio drama Tempest Breaker, because I would have been less confused about a few things in that one and probably would have enjoyed this one more because I wouldn’t have already known the outcome. Yet another example of the weakness of having every single High Republic bit of content being essential reading.

There’s a bonus story about Kelnacca at the end.

[Will Plunkett · Rating 3 out of 5]

If Dark Horse Comics, which had the SW license back in the '90s/early '00s, had done what's been covered in these High Republic stories, the visuals we readers had to imagine could've been actualized in panels and splash pages (and maybe I'd have liked the NJO series more, too, perhaps adding some just-off-screen/novel stories). Anyway, nice artwork in this trade paperback; glad I read Tempest Breaker prior to this one (even though it continues this story).

[Keef Davidson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Its very "meh". I do love getting away from the skywalkers and introducing new characters. Im probably giving this comic a higher rating than it deserves for that reason. The story just feels very disjointed and all over the place. It feels like one of those stories where someone said "make a sequel to the first one" and a writer said "sure, I'll throw something together". There's no real flow to the story, bad guys don't seem to have a motivation, and power levels are inconsistent.

[Alyce Caswell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this. Mostly because of the unexpected wholesome Tey/Vildar content! But it was also full of action and character moments. I wish all the High Republic TPBs had been like this one. It is also the first I have read on my iPad. I simply don't have the shelf space for mediocre comics these days, but I do wish I'd gone for the paperback just one last time...

[Nunya · Rating 4 out of 5]

NOW SHOWING: STAR WARS THE HIGH REPUBLIC - SEPPUKU SKWAD
"It's taken a lot of work, but I finally have them. The worst of the worst."
"There's rumours that some of them have abilities."
"Oh yeah."
"You're playing with fire."
"I'm fighting fire with fire. What if Marchion Ro decided to rip the roof off the white house and fly away with the Chancellor? Who'd have stopped him?
*Generic hip hop music starts playing... y'know... cus Keeve's black...
"Keeve Trennis, A.K.A the Jedi Master who definitely won't become a part of the Lost 19."
"I thought it was the lost 18?"
"My mistake. Wink."
"Did you just say wink?"
"Now we have the woman who won't turn her back on her crew."
"Where is she?"
"Let's just say there's a hole and then I forgot where the hole is. Now let's talk about everybody's favourite green mommy Twi'lek pls step on me Lourna omg pleeeessss just a little step on me OH MAH GAHD just one just the pinky toe ple-"
*Play Lady Gaga Bad Romance or somethin idk*
"Lourna Dee. Before she ran off and joined the circus she was known as Lourna'dee before she fell in love with the man that would massacre her family and sell her into slavery. Talk about a workplace romance gone wrong. She just went from one bad romance to another until she started running with the Niel."
*Play Land Down Under*
"And then there's the Aussie, Tey Sirrek. Or as the Alex calls him: Astarion. He robbed every bank in Australia at least once then came to Jedha for a fresh start. Doesn't play well with others, but he fucked a Jedi and lived to tell about it."
*Play uhhh whatever I don't care*
"And have you heard about the gelatinous homeboy? He's like slime, just a lil slimey boy. Killed 59 children back in the day but big Jedi covered it up to maintain his record. He died once but it didn't work because he's literally just slime."
"Oh kriff, what is that one?"
*Fortunate son plays for some reason?*
"His name is Sskeer, evolution took a step back with this one. They call him Killer Cock, I don't know why. He looked like a lizard so they treated him like a lizard, then he became a lizard. Don't let him near any sort of grass, he loses his shit."
*Play fuckin i dunno beeps and boops*
"Now I've saved the best for last. The twins, Ceret and Terec, don't ask me which is which, I do not know. They're a pair of nonbinary wackos who are going through an angst phase, don't look at them, they will say something mean and snarky and it will hurt your feelings."
"You want to put our galactic security in the hands of slime, potential turncoats, and lizards?"
"Don't forget Monshi. I assume he's the Slipknot stand-in for this analogy, so he's gonna die?"
"Yeh."
"These are villains and idiots, Velko. What makes you think you can control them?"
"Control them? Huh?"
"What do you mean 'huh'?"
"I don't control them, Elzar. I actually haven't seen them in days."
"WHAT?"
"They stole a ship and went into the Occlusion Zone."
"Buh- That's the thing I've been trying to figure out for the last year and they just TOOK a ship and DID IT?"
"..."
"Velko, what the fuck?"
"..."
"VELKO JAHEN SAY SOMETHING!"
"..."
"THAT'S AN ORDER!"
"S-sorry Elzar, going through KSHSHHHSH turbulence."
"You're in fucking space, what turbul-" *CLICK*
"It's probably fine."

CREDITS
All my friends are heathens, take it slow
Wait for them to ask you who you know
Please don't make any sudden moves
You don't know the half of the abuse
All my friends are heathens, take it slow
Wait for them to ask you who you know
Please don't make any sudden moves
You don't know the half of the abuse
Welcome to the room of people
Who have rooms of people that they loved one day
Docked away
Just because we check the guns at the door
Doesn't mean our brains will change from hand grenades
You'll never know the psychopath sitting next to you
You'll never know the murderer sitting next to you
You'll think, "How'd I get here, sitting next to you?"
But after all I've said, please don't forget
All my friends are heathens, take it slow
Wait for them to ask you who you know
Please don't make any sudden moves
You don't know the half of the abuse
We don't deal with outsiders very well
They say newcomers have a certain smell
You have trust issues, not to mention
They say they can smell your intentions
You'll never know the freak show sitting next to you
You'll have some weird people sitting next to you
You'll think "How did I get here, sitting next to you?"
But after all I've said, please don't forget
All my friends are heathens, take it slow
Wait for them to ask you who you know
Please don't make any sudden moves
You don't know the half of the abuse
All my friends are heathens, take it slow (watch it)
Wait for them to ask you who you know (watch it)
Please all my friends are heathens, take it slow (watch it)
Wait for them to ask you who you know
Why'd you come? You knew you should have stayed
I tried to warn you just to stay away
And now they're outside ready to bust
It looks like you might be one of us

Fast forward to the Kelnacca One-Shot:
This is Kelnacca, he's got my back. He could rip you all in half without straining a muscle like pulling pork. I would advise not getting killed by him, he's bald so it'd be pretty embarrassing.

[Tyson]

terec and ceret you have bewitched me body and soul

[Vivianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 étoiles

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this storyline, with an interesting mix of characters (some very surprising!). I also enjoyed the Kelnacca one-shot.

[Martijn Van · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like a medium drag story without anything big happening. Will reread once the Height Republic storyline is done.

[Zucc 2020 · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit too short for my taste tbh