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Star Wars: The High Republic (Marvel Comics)
Star Wars: The High Republic Phase II, Vol. 1: Balance of the Force
A new chapter begins!
One hundred and fifty years before the fall of Starlight, another beacon burns bright in the galaxy—a beacon of faith and spirituality. Jedha. The Pilgrim Moon. The Kyber Heart. But tensions are rising in the holy city, and dark days are to come. Jedi Vildar Mac, safe and secure in who he is and what he could be, arrives just as Jedha's fragile peace begins to crumble. With one Jedi lying dead in an ancient shrine, another takes up the murderer's trail. Who is using ancient Force powers on the streets of the holy city? Why are sacred relics going missing? And why do all roads lead to the Temple of the Whills?
Collecting STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC (2022) #1-5.
One hundred and fifty years before the fall of Starlight, another beacon burns bright in the galaxy—a beacon of faith and spirituality. Jedha. The Pilgrim Moon. The Kyber Heart. But tensions are rising in the holy city, and dark days are to come. Jedi Vildar Mac, safe and secure in who he is and what he could be, arrives just as Jedha's fragile peace begins to crumble. With one Jedi lying dead in an ancient shrine, another takes up the murderer's trail. Who is using ancient Force powers on the streets of the holy city? Why are sacred relics going missing? And why do all roads lead to the Temple of the Whills?
Collecting STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC (2022) #1-5.
120 pages, Paperback
First published May 2, 2023
29 people are currently reading
717 people want to read
About the author
Cavan Scott
843 books433 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 - 30 of 85 reviews
December 13, 2023
This collection is the beginning of a story arc in Phase II of the long running series The High Republic. It connects with other offerings in this series. In this one we are on Jedha as different worshipping factions of the force meet to have a conference. It does not go smoothly.
Once again I am left with a ho-hum feeling from an offering from The High Republic series. The problem with this collection is that it is all set up and nothing gets concluded. Five issues of pure set up for what I am guessing is the long running plot line. The ironic thing too is that the setup needed more in some areas. I guess we are just suppose to accept that fact on some points without any detail. The citizens on the planet are unhappy with the Jedi. Why? No idea because we are never told. The protagonist suffered tragedy before he was taken by the Jedi. What was it? Once again no idea. I know it happened because we know he is haunted with a quick one panel flashback that really does not tell us much. That is how this collection went. If I had to explain verbally what this collection was about I would probably say it is a bunch of ideas that might or might not lead down this path. Who knows? That is all I really can say about this collection.
I understand that this is an introduction to a new story so there is going to be set up. But give me something to sink my teeth into. There was nothing there. Even the characters did nothing for me. The main character is gruff but not in a likeable way. The padawan is irksome and not in a charming way. When the ball droid that only makes a sound is my favorite character we might have a problem. Realistically this probably deserves a one star but there is potential. I guess I will have to read the next collection to see if it pans out.
Once again I am left with a ho-hum feeling from an offering from The High Republic series. The problem with this collection is that it is all set up and nothing gets concluded. Five issues of pure set up for what I am guessing is the long running plot line. The ironic thing too is that the setup needed more in some areas. I guess we are just suppose to accept that fact on some points without any detail. The citizens on the planet are unhappy with the Jedi. Why? No idea because we are never told. The protagonist suffered tragedy before he was taken by the Jedi. What was it? Once again no idea. I know it happened because we know he is haunted with a quick one panel flashback that really does not tell us much. That is how this collection went. If I had to explain verbally what this collection was about I would probably say it is a bunch of ideas that might or might not lead down this path. Who knows? That is all I really can say about this collection.
I understand that this is an introduction to a new story so there is going to be set up. But give me something to sink my teeth into. There was nothing there. Even the characters did nothing for me. The main character is gruff but not in a likeable way. The padawan is irksome and not in a charming way. When the ball droid that only makes a sound is my favorite character we might have a problem. Realistically this probably deserves a one star but there is potential. I guess I will have to read the next collection to see if it pans out.
September 8, 2024
The High Republic is such a weird idea. I don't understand who thought it would be great to tell a story that can't be fully known unless you read an infinity of kids' books, YA novels, novels for adults, two levels of graphic novel, and audio dramas. So far in Phase 2, the only book I've found interesting on its own is the graphic novel called The Blade—ironically, the one book that has no particular connection to the bigger story the series is telling.
Anyway, the events of this graphic novel take place just before and during the battle of Jedha—which, yes, means it makes most sense to read this book at the same time as you're listening to the audio drama The Battle of Jedha. This book contains interchangeable Jedi masters and padawans and random side characters. As in other books in this series, we see that the galaxy is crowded with various kinds of Force users, and the Jedi seem to be the most despised and mistrusted. Why? Who knows. The holy city of Jedha is full of bickering factions and pettiness even before the battle begins. Why? Who knows. The book seems to want to tell a particular story—the trauma one of the interchangeable Jedi lived through as a child and still struggles with, and the mysterious motives of a former guardian of the Whills—but by the end it has to be drawn into the battle of Jedha storyline, with a lot of explosions and riots and so forth. Oh, for a complete story in one book.
Anyway, the events of this graphic novel take place just before and during the battle of Jedha—which, yes, means it makes most sense to read this book at the same time as you're listening to the audio drama The Battle of Jedha. This book contains interchangeable Jedi masters and padawans and random side characters. As in other books in this series, we see that the galaxy is crowded with various kinds of Force users, and the Jedi seem to be the most despised and mistrusted. Why? Who knows. The holy city of Jedha is full of bickering factions and pettiness even before the battle begins. Why? Who knows. The book seems to want to tell a particular story—the trauma one of the interchangeable Jedi lived through as a child and still struggles with, and the mysterious motives of a former guardian of the Whills—but by the end it has to be drawn into the battle of Jedha storyline, with a lot of explosions and riots and so forth. Oh, for a complete story in one book.
July 10, 2024
A great continuation in another corner of Phase II of the High Republic. One thing I do like about the Disney universe is exploring the different philosophies of the Force. The Jedi way is not the only way.
When Jedi Vildar Mac took an assignment of the Force rich holy planet of Jedha, things have not gone the way he expected from his first moment of landing. Instead of a planet in enlightenment and unity, he finds a powder keg ready to explode. Will all the different factions of the Force with their own secrets. Also, how does the Path of the Open Hand fit into this (if you are reading Phase II material, you will be hearing a lot of them).
A great start to this series with great characters. I especially like Tey Sirrek and the conflict between his duty and what is right. I think Valdar Mac, Matthea Cathley, and Oliviah Zeveron are all great, but there is something shifty about Master Leebon. An action-packed ending that I can't wait to see what happens next. Each chapter/issue ends with a thumbnail variant cover page.
When Jedi Vildar Mac took an assignment of the Force rich holy planet of Jedha, things have not gone the way he expected from his first moment of landing. Instead of a planet in enlightenment and unity, he finds a powder keg ready to explode. Will all the different factions of the Force with their own secrets. Also, how does the Path of the Open Hand fit into this (if you are reading Phase II material, you will be hearing a lot of them).
A great start to this series with great characters. I especially like Tey Sirrek and the conflict between his duty and what is right. I think Valdar Mac, Matthea Cathley, and Oliviah Zeveron are all great, but there is something shifty about Master Leebon. An action-packed ending that I can't wait to see what happens next. Each chapter/issue ends with a thumbnail variant cover page.
March 15, 2023
This was great and I love the brooding white guy and tiger lady and cool and collected Jedi knight and red twilek and pink elf man. They are all fun. and the convocation is as properly weird as Star Wars and the force should be but rarely gets. The only thing that irked me is that it isn’t a complete story arc, it’s just cut in the middle.
February 10, 2023
A really enjoyable journey that takes place as the earliest Star Wars canon that we have. I’ve enjoyed the adventure aspect and the politics of the Force, but I’d love more Star Wars lore behind this incredibly controversial ancient power!
June 22, 2023
NB: If you are considering reading the same author's prose novel Path of Vengeance do yourself a big favour and read this volume first, I wish I had done the same.
This is actually one of the best written and focussed High Republic volumes I've read. Just get used to the idea that it takes place as a prequel to the prequel, 150 years before the events of the preceding run.
Our Man Vildar has got those mad Quinlan Vos skillz
This is actually one of the best written and focussed High Republic volumes I've read. Just get used to the idea that it takes place as a prequel to the prequel, 150 years before the events of the preceding run.
Our Man Vildar has got those mad Quinlan Vos skillz
March 23, 2025
The background is very interesting: a time when the Jedi aren't the only Force-users, which becomes a power struggle between different factions. Jedha is about to e.x.p.l.o.d.e. (actually, no, that's for later).
On the other hand characters are regrettably a little neglected. A grumpy jedi with a trauma flanked by a comic relief colleague and a thief with a big heart. I've seen more elaborate characters...
The drawing is shared between Ario Anindito- very good- and Andrea Broccardo - correct. It's a shame that one team can't handle a full arc.
In short, short of finding the storyline that will send the Force Awakening to the dustbin of history, the little SW nerd in you can read this series with peace of mind.
On the other hand characters are regrettably a little neglected. A grumpy jedi with a trauma flanked by a comic relief colleague and a thief with a big heart. I've seen more elaborate characters...
The drawing is shared between Ario Anindito- very good- and Andrea Broccardo - correct. It's a shame that one team can't handle a full arc.
In short, short of finding the storyline that will send the Force Awakening to the dustbin of history, the little SW nerd in you can read this series with peace of mind.
January 25, 2024
oliviah i only met you yesterday but i need you to know that i would literally do anything for you
April 29, 2023
A decent read, but a clunky one. Scott’s comic work had yet to impress me, which is odd, considering how much I enjoyed what he did with The Rising Storm book. He’s got some decent ideas—using Jedha as a tense hotbed of different sects that use the Force in various ways is so cool on paper—that he doesn’t develop enough. I like the conflict he’s setting up, and it’s neat seeing some setup for stuff we saw in Phase 1 of The High Republic; the issue is how surface-level it all is. The characters are two-dimensional at best, annoying at worst (which happens more often than it should), and have so little connection to the plot so far that it’s hard to care. At least the art is better than the usual stuff from Marvel’s Star Wars lines.
This is the first volume, so there’s room to grow, but an introductory arc should leave you wanting more, and this barely qualifies for that. The sudden ending doesn’t help, either. I wish Scott would get better about pacing his storytelling because he regularly ends “arcs”—if you can even call them that—on unceremonious twists or cliffhangers that feel shallow and leave the plot on an unfinished note. It’s weird how the Marvel comics for The High Republic have been such a clear low point for the series so far. The YA comics are easily better, too, because at least those have solid character work.
All that said, I do sound harsher than I feel. I would still give this 2.5 stars, but I’ll round up because going lower feels too negative. These five issues are perfectly readable, have some decent ideas, and the art has some impressive moments, but it lacks the dramatic heft I want. Hopefully that improves moving forward.
This is the first volume, so there’s room to grow, but an introductory arc should leave you wanting more, and this barely qualifies for that. The sudden ending doesn’t help, either. I wish Scott would get better about pacing his storytelling because he regularly ends “arcs”—if you can even call them that—on unceremonious twists or cliffhangers that feel shallow and leave the plot on an unfinished note. It’s weird how the Marvel comics for The High Republic have been such a clear low point for the series so far. The YA comics are easily better, too, because at least those have solid character work.
All that said, I do sound harsher than I feel. I would still give this 2.5 stars, but I’ll round up because going lower feels too negative. These five issues are perfectly readable, have some decent ideas, and the art has some impressive moments, but it lacks the dramatic heft I want. Hopefully that improves moving forward.
May 9, 2023
MORE HIGH REPUBLIC! MORE I SAYS!
March 29, 2023
I haven’t read any of the novels for the High Republic Phase 2 yet but I’ve really been enjoying this comic series so far. I like the new characters and the story between all of these different force users.
July 22, 2023
oliviah having a flashback after seeing the mother i need to gnaw on some wood
November 27, 2023
I do not care about these characters
June 22, 2023
Nice introduction to Characters, story took a while for things to get going but pretty decent story so far. Only the second High Republic book I have read so I’m fairly new to this era, Vildar Mac seems like a cool character with a tragic backstory I’m interested in seeing what happened there, the twi’lek Jedi apprentice Matty is a cool character and look forward to seeing more of her story. Tey Sirrek seemed to bug me at first but as the story progressed I my opinions changed, misunderstood person who’s genuinely trying to get to the bottom of what’s been happening on Jedha but due to his past with the Whills, he’s not taken seriously and looked at in a bad light, even though that is not the case. The whole book is set on Jedha which is pretty awesome to see more of that place and it’s traditions, look forward to the next one.
September 29, 2024
Phase 2 finished a while ago but my library got these so I read them. This would not make a whole lot of sense without the books. Everything it’s setting up is because of the storyline of the books. This one is slightly better than some other HR comics I’ve read though.
One thing that bothered me quite a bit—Matty’s lekku were REALLY long for a Padawan. They were as long as a quite old and mature Twi’lek’s. It was kinda distracting because she’s supposed to be basically a teenager.
One thing that bothered me quite a bit—Matty’s lekku were REALLY long for a Padawan. They were as long as a quite old and mature Twi’lek’s. It was kinda distracting because she’s supposed to be basically a teenager.
October 27, 2025
I love a good non-skywalker Star Wars story. This one was really good, it developed mystery and suspense that kept me on my toes. It ends on a bit of a cliffhanger but I'm lucky to have the next issue ready. This is definitely something that will require the reader to read multiple volumes which is great. The story is also in the early stages of character development which makes me more excited to read the next issues.
September 4, 2023
j’ai beaucoup aimé voir un autre point de vue sur les jedi et comment ils n’étaient pas forcément appréciés partout!!!
May 21, 2024
It’s cool that we get to see what else is happening during the Battle of Jedha.
February 8, 2023
I FEEL SICK IN THE HEAD
April 5, 2025
Like a lot of phase 2 it takes a second to get oriented to who the players are but once it gets going it’s very good and interesting.
March 1, 2025
"Cut it out will you? I am not sulking. Sulking is for losers. And i may be a lot of things, but a loser isn't one of them."
May 10, 2023
This is actually pretty good. My first dip in the pool of the High Republic is definitely motivating me to explore this further. I’m not a HUGE fan of the narrative deviation, I wanted more on the Path of the Open Hand and their operations against the force-forged government body of Jedha. Nonetheless the current struggle against an unseen evil that messes up the force is a great way to truly show the various paths of ancient societies that lived within this expansive universe that would originally only concentrate on the Skywalker prophecy. Feels like a breath of fresh air to read, onward to issue 6/volume 2!
July 11, 2023
I think these High Republic books are scratching the Star Wars itch I want them to scratch - because they're not confined by characters we all know and love already, they can do more adventurous things with them. People can die, people can evolve and change, and things feel unpredictable again.
Plus, the fact that we're going even further back in time, 150 years before the last Phase, means we get to see how the galaxy looked back then. The changing attitudes towards Jedi and the Force are interesting here, and the characters introduced, as well as the main conflict, feels strangely familiar to the real world whilst being totally different to everything we've seen in the Star Wars comics today.
And of course there's a little link to the wider High Republic story from the previous phase as well, which is neat.
On art we have Ario Anindito, continuing on from the last Phase, with Andrea Broccardo popping up for the back half of the volume. Broccardo is no stranger to the Star Wars universe, having drawn most of Kieron Gillen's run on the main Star Wars book, and the pair work together quite well.
A new start, a new setting, and new characters, but the same interest from me, for sure.
Plus, the fact that we're going even further back in time, 150 years before the last Phase, means we get to see how the galaxy looked back then. The changing attitudes towards Jedi and the Force are interesting here, and the characters introduced, as well as the main conflict, feels strangely familiar to the real world whilst being totally different to everything we've seen in the Star Wars comics today.
And of course there's a little link to the wider High Republic story from the previous phase as well, which is neat.
On art we have Ario Anindito, continuing on from the last Phase, with Andrea Broccardo popping up for the back half of the volume. Broccardo is no stranger to the Star Wars universe, having drawn most of Kieron Gillen's run on the main Star Wars book, and the pair work together quite well.
A new start, a new setting, and new characters, but the same interest from me, for sure.
May 29, 2024
finished path of vengeance last week, met tey sirrek and immediately started these comics to see more of him
March 2, 2024
Zaczęła się druga faza Wielkiej Republiki z uniwersum Gwiezdnych Wojen. Wydawane są zarówno książki, jak i komiksy. Dzisiaj przyjrzymy się tym drugim.
Jakich nowych informacji będziemy mogli się dowiedzieć?
Jak wypadną nowi bohaterowie?
Pierwsza faza Wielkiej Republiki nie zakończyła się zbyt wesoło, a głównym przeciwnikiem okazali się początkowo niepozorni kosmiczni piraci-Nihilowie. Era, o której mowa, działa się na 200 lat przed Mrocznym Widmem. W drugiej fazie cofamy się o kolejne 150 lat. Nowi bohaterowie, nowe historie i nowe tajemnice. Kilka wątków nie zostało odpowiednio zamkniętych, zabrakło odpowiedzi na wiele pytań. Wierzę, że ten kolejny etap wytłumaczy nam wszystko.
Do rzeczy.
Za scenariusz odpowiada Cavan Scott, autor książki z pierwszej fazy Burza Nadciąga. Śledzimy działania Jedi Vildara Maca, który udał się na Jedhę. Poznaje tam młodą padawankę Matty. Okazuje się, że na planecie pełnej wiary i różnych sposobów na rozumienie Mocy, pokój wisi na naprawdę cienkiej nici, która za chwile zostanie zerwana. Ponadto zdecydowana większość mieszkańców nie przepada za Jedi, choć to i tak za mało powiedziane. Mimo to jakoś ich tolerują. Ze świątyni giną relikwie, nikt nikogo nie słucha, a gdy pojawia się morderca, wprowadza ze sobą chaos. Do tego zbliża się Święto Równowagi.
Powiem szczerze, komiks postawił mi jeszcze więcej pytań, nie odpowiadając na poprzednie. Wierzę jednak, że kolejne części zaspokoją moją ciekawość. Sama fabuła okazała się niezwykle interesująca, a księżyc, jakim jest Jedha, wydaje się lepszą wersją dziury zwanej Tatooine.
Przyjrzyjmy się nowym bohaterom.
Jedi Vildar Mac, ewidentnie straumatyzowany w dzieciństwie, ale cóż… różnie to bywa. Czasem mnie solidnie irytował. Odniosłam wrażenie, że nie potrafi utrzymać nerwów na wodzy, jest delikatnie arogancki, ale i tajemniczy oraz mało rozmowny. Zbyt pochopnie ocenia różne rzeczy. Czy go polubiłam? Nie wiem. Dam mu szansę, bo mimo wszystko wydaje się ciekawą postacią. Pasuje do niego niezwykle rozgadana padawanka Matthea Cathley. Dziewczyna od razu przypadła mi do gustu. Widać, że ma talent do pakowania się w kłopoty, sądząc po zakazach, jakie otrzymała od swojej mistrzyni. Stara się dopasować do zasad panujących na Jedhdzie w przeciwieństwie do Vildara.
Więcej na CzasoStrefa
Jakich nowych informacji będziemy mogli się dowiedzieć?
Jak wypadną nowi bohaterowie?
Pierwsza faza Wielkiej Republiki nie zakończyła się zbyt wesoło, a głównym przeciwnikiem okazali się początkowo niepozorni kosmiczni piraci-Nihilowie. Era, o której mowa, działa się na 200 lat przed Mrocznym Widmem. W drugiej fazie cofamy się o kolejne 150 lat. Nowi bohaterowie, nowe historie i nowe tajemnice. Kilka wątków nie zostało odpowiednio zamkniętych, zabrakło odpowiedzi na wiele pytań. Wierzę, że ten kolejny etap wytłumaczy nam wszystko.
Do rzeczy.
Za scenariusz odpowiada Cavan Scott, autor książki z pierwszej fazy Burza Nadciąga. Śledzimy działania Jedi Vildara Maca, który udał się na Jedhę. Poznaje tam młodą padawankę Matty. Okazuje się, że na planecie pełnej wiary i różnych sposobów na rozumienie Mocy, pokój wisi na naprawdę cienkiej nici, która za chwile zostanie zerwana. Ponadto zdecydowana większość mieszkańców nie przepada za Jedi, choć to i tak za mało powiedziane. Mimo to jakoś ich tolerują. Ze świątyni giną relikwie, nikt nikogo nie słucha, a gdy pojawia się morderca, wprowadza ze sobą chaos. Do tego zbliża się Święto Równowagi.
Powiem szczerze, komiks postawił mi jeszcze więcej pytań, nie odpowiadając na poprzednie. Wierzę jednak, że kolejne części zaspokoją moją ciekawość. Sama fabuła okazała się niezwykle interesująca, a księżyc, jakim jest Jedha, wydaje się lepszą wersją dziury zwanej Tatooine.
Przyjrzyjmy się nowym bohaterom.
Jedi Vildar Mac, ewidentnie straumatyzowany w dzieciństwie, ale cóż… różnie to bywa. Czasem mnie solidnie irytował. Odniosłam wrażenie, że nie potrafi utrzymać nerwów na wodzy, jest delikatnie arogancki, ale i tajemniczy oraz mało rozmowny. Zbyt pochopnie ocenia różne rzeczy. Czy go polubiłam? Nie wiem. Dam mu szansę, bo mimo wszystko wydaje się ciekawą postacią. Pasuje do niego niezwykle rozgadana padawanka Matthea Cathley. Dziewczyna od razu przypadła mi do gustu. Widać, że ma talent do pakowania się w kłopoty, sądząc po zakazach, jakie otrzymała od swojej mistrzyni. Stara się dopasować do zasad panujących na Jedhdzie w przeciwieństwie do Vildara.
Więcej na CzasoStrefa
December 26, 2023
POPKulturowy Kociołek: W grudniowej ofercie wydawnictwa Egmont pojawił się kolejny album skierowany do fanów Gwiezdnych Wojen. Komiksem tym jest Star Wars: Wielka Republika. Faza II. Równowaga Mocy tom 1. Czyli początek drugiej fazy cross-medialnego projektu ukazującego wydarzenia w okresie Wielkiej Republiki.
Akcja albumu rozgrywa się sto pięćdziesiąt lat przed upadkiem Gwiezdnego Blasku. Jednym z głównych bohaterów komiksu jest Jedi Vildar Mac, który przybywa do Jedhy. Świętego miasta, które boryka się w ostatnim czasie z wieloma napięciami, co zwiastuje nadejście mrocznych dni. W tajemniczych okolicznościach giną bowiem święte relikwie i niektórzy z rycerzy Jedi. Wszystkie tropy zaś prowadzą wprost do Świątyni Whillów.
Album Star Wars: Wielka Republika. Faza II. Równowaga Mocy tom 1 to przedstawiciel prostej popkultury kierowanej do młodych dorosłych. Nie ma więc co tu oczekiwać nadmiernie głębokich i złożonych treści. Prawie od samego początku tytułu autor stawia głównie na widowiskowość, dopiero do tego starając się dołączyć jakąś większą intrygę. Sama historia nie jest jednak zła i potrafi być dość angażująca. Na czytelnika obok wspomnianej widowiskowości czeka tu również kilka nieźle rozwijających się wątków i mocniejszych zwrotów akcji. Pełen potencjał tych elementów nie został jednak w pełni wykorzystany głównie ze względu na ograniczoną ilość miejsca i konieczność szybkiego pchania fabuły do przodu.
Do zalet komiksu obok wartkiej treści należy również zaliczyć obsadzenie w głównych rolach zupełnie nowych postaci. Nie mamy tu do czynienia z bohaterami których znalibyśmy z kart innych komiksów, książek czy filmów. Pozwala to mocniej wkręcić się w fabułę, chociaż zdecydowanie nie jest to album dla laika i pewną znajomość Świata Wielkiej Republiki trzeba mieć. Wynika to, chociażby z bardzo dużej ilości postaci drugoplanowych, z których każda ma własną zakorzenioną w świecie SW historię.....
https://popkulturowykociolek.pl/star-...
Akcja albumu rozgrywa się sto pięćdziesiąt lat przed upadkiem Gwiezdnego Blasku. Jednym z głównych bohaterów komiksu jest Jedi Vildar Mac, który przybywa do Jedhy. Świętego miasta, które boryka się w ostatnim czasie z wieloma napięciami, co zwiastuje nadejście mrocznych dni. W tajemniczych okolicznościach giną bowiem święte relikwie i niektórzy z rycerzy Jedi. Wszystkie tropy zaś prowadzą wprost do Świątyni Whillów.
Album Star Wars: Wielka Republika. Faza II. Równowaga Mocy tom 1 to przedstawiciel prostej popkultury kierowanej do młodych dorosłych. Nie ma więc co tu oczekiwać nadmiernie głębokich i złożonych treści. Prawie od samego początku tytułu autor stawia głównie na widowiskowość, dopiero do tego starając się dołączyć jakąś większą intrygę. Sama historia nie jest jednak zła i potrafi być dość angażująca. Na czytelnika obok wspomnianej widowiskowości czeka tu również kilka nieźle rozwijających się wątków i mocniejszych zwrotów akcji. Pełen potencjał tych elementów nie został jednak w pełni wykorzystany głównie ze względu na ograniczoną ilość miejsca i konieczność szybkiego pchania fabuły do przodu.
Do zalet komiksu obok wartkiej treści należy również zaliczyć obsadzenie w głównych rolach zupełnie nowych postaci. Nie mamy tu do czynienia z bohaterami których znalibyśmy z kart innych komiksów, książek czy filmów. Pozwala to mocniej wkręcić się w fabułę, chociaż zdecydowanie nie jest to album dla laika i pewną znajomość Świata Wielkiej Republiki trzeba mieć. Wynika to, chociażby z bardzo dużej ilości postaci drugoplanowych, z których każda ma własną zakorzenioną w świecie SW historię.....
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April 25, 2024
I thought this graphic novel was a great way to kick off Phase II of The High Republic! This collection includes issues #1-5 and a bonus story. My reviews for each are as follows:
#1: Really interesting start to Phase II comics. I am immediately intrigued by the story and super eager to see how it continues. Interesting to see such a distrust and dislike towards the Jedi on Jedha… Side note though, is it normal to have a full blank page after they find the droid is following them? It seems out of place…?
BONUS: The bonus story Peace and Unity was surprisingly really great also (I only say surprising because it’s not the main story line). I immediately like Oliviah and her strong sense of right and wrong!
#2: Plot twists, corruption, and quasi-double agents, oh my! Who do we trust? This story continues to grip me and has me constantly yearning for more!
#3: First of all, they had no right to make Tey Sirrek so hunky and have a heart for saving children! 🥹🤭 Second of all, they’ve done it again with this issue! The story continues to unfold in interesting ways to keep me on the edge of my seat yearning for more!
#4: Tey is in some serious sad boy hours, and I don’t blame him. He’s constantly painted out to be the bad guy when he seems so genuine. Who will finally believe him? Thankful that Vildar and Matty are backing him up a little bit at least—well maybe not backing up, per se, but at least saying they shouldn’t all jump to conclusions! But dang, this Path of the Open Hand guy just made everything WAY more intense than it already was. Such an incredible story keeps unfolding on every page in every panel and I’m HOOKED!
#5: NOOOOO!!!!! I said I was hooked over and over and now I have to wait for the next set?? Come on now!?
#1: Really interesting start to Phase II comics. I am immediately intrigued by the story and super eager to see how it continues. Interesting to see such a distrust and dislike towards the Jedi on Jedha… Side note though, is it normal to have a full blank page after they find the droid is following them? It seems out of place…?
BONUS: The bonus story Peace and Unity was surprisingly really great also (I only say surprising because it’s not the main story line). I immediately like Oliviah and her strong sense of right and wrong!
#2: Plot twists, corruption, and quasi-double agents, oh my! Who do we trust? This story continues to grip me and has me constantly yearning for more!
#3: First of all, they had no right to make Tey Sirrek so hunky and have a heart for saving children! 🥹🤭 Second of all, they’ve done it again with this issue! The story continues to unfold in interesting ways to keep me on the edge of my seat yearning for more!
#4: Tey is in some serious sad boy hours, and I don’t blame him. He’s constantly painted out to be the bad guy when he seems so genuine. Who will finally believe him? Thankful that Vildar and Matty are backing him up a little bit at least—well maybe not backing up, per se, but at least saying they shouldn’t all jump to conclusions! But dang, this Path of the Open Hand guy just made everything WAY more intense than it already was. Such an incredible story keeps unfolding on every page in every panel and I’m HOOKED!
#5: NOOOOO!!!!! I said I was hooked over and over and now I have to wait for the next set?? Come on now!?
March 13, 2024
Phase 2 Book 1, 382 BBY.
Jedi Knight Vildar Mac arrives on the holy moon of Jedha as a convocation of Force-using groups begins. As he finds himself in pursuit of the petty criminal Tey Sirrek, chaos breaks out amid the streets of the Holy City and the mysterious Path of the Open Hand unfurl their plots.
There are a couple of things I really enjoyed here, in particular making Jedha the setting of the story. The moon was a compelling locale in both 'Rogue One' and 'Jedi: Survivor' but here we get to see it in its heyday, before being plundered by the Empire.
Linked into that is the way this book begins to explore other Force-using cultures beyond the Jedi Order. Some of these (the Matukai, the Fallanassi and the Sorcerers of Tund, for example) have their origins in the old Expanded Universe (Legends) canon and it was nice to see them thrown into the mix here.
Despite all of that, I failed to find this book terribly compelling.
The three main protagonists in particular failed to capture my interest, with Vildar actually being a fairly arrogant and stupid Jedi, Padawan Matty being bland and reactionary and Tey Sirrek being irritatingly cocky, not to mention being an attempt at comic relief which missed the mark.
Also, the Path of the Open Hand, much like the Nihil before them (well, after them technically, I suppose) are neither particularly interesting or particularly menacing antagonists.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
Jedi Knight Vildar Mac arrives on the holy moon of Jedha as a convocation of Force-using groups begins. As he finds himself in pursuit of the petty criminal Tey Sirrek, chaos breaks out amid the streets of the Holy City and the mysterious Path of the Open Hand unfurl their plots.
There are a couple of things I really enjoyed here, in particular making Jedha the setting of the story. The moon was a compelling locale in both 'Rogue One' and 'Jedi: Survivor' but here we get to see it in its heyday, before being plundered by the Empire.
Linked into that is the way this book begins to explore other Force-using cultures beyond the Jedi Order. Some of these (the Matukai, the Fallanassi and the Sorcerers of Tund, for example) have their origins in the old Expanded Universe (Legends) canon and it was nice to see them thrown into the mix here.
Despite all of that, I failed to find this book terribly compelling.
The three main protagonists in particular failed to capture my interest, with Vildar actually being a fairly arrogant and stupid Jedi, Padawan Matty being bland and reactionary and Tey Sirrek being irritatingly cocky, not to mention being an attempt at comic relief which missed the mark.
Also, the Path of the Open Hand, much like the Nihil before them (well, after them technically, I suppose) are neither particularly interesting or particularly menacing antagonists.
* More reviews here: https://fsfh-book-review2.webnode.page *
July 2, 2024
Blogger Note: This is the first time I've ventured into The High Republic timeframe in any form so I can't speak to it's connection to anything before these graphic novel collections nor any connection to the new Disney series, The Acolyte, so I'll just review as is. (EDITED NOTE: I have since discovered the chronological order and that I have read a couple out of that order. However, like the movies long as you are able to read a particular story arc together the rest isn't that important, just something to keep in mind.)
As mentioned in my blogger note above, I did not know Phase 2 is actually set a century+ before Phase 1 but also as mentioned above, I was able to read the complete Phase 2 storyline all was good, the out-of-order was no problem.
What I loved most was seeing the variety of Force followers of different faiths with different names and the inclusion of the Whills was just icing on the cake. Seeing those force-varieties bickering and falling into said bickering traps was intriguing and fresh.
There's mystery, new acquaintances, allies or perhaps not-so-allies😉, humor, basically Balance of the Force is definitely deserving of the Star Wars moniker and yet another intriguing piece of the SW Universe puzzle that pulls you in and keeps you hooked. So many stories to be told, gaps to fill in, and I look forward to discovering them all.
As mentioned in my blogger note above, I did not know Phase 2 is actually set a century+ before Phase 1 but also as mentioned above, I was able to read the complete Phase 2 storyline all was good, the out-of-order was no problem.
What I loved most was seeing the variety of Force followers of different faiths with different names and the inclusion of the Whills was just icing on the cake. Seeing those force-varieties bickering and falling into said bickering traps was intriguing and fresh.
There's mystery, new acquaintances, allies or perhaps not-so-allies😉, humor, basically Balance of the Force is definitely deserving of the Star Wars moniker and yet another intriguing piece of the SW Universe puzzle that pulls you in and keeps you hooked. So many stories to be told, gaps to fill in, and I look forward to discovering them all.
June 15, 2023
382 BBY
This graphic novel is the first installment to the High Republic era Phase II, which takes place about 150 years before the events of Starlight beacon and Phase I. This volume contains issues 1-5 and follows a very political and religious storyline. The Jedi is merely one of many orders who use the Force, though the varied factions have issues with how others use the Force. Taking place in the Holy City on Jedha, Jedi Vildar Mac arrives to speak with the convocation only to find that ancient artifacts are being stolen, and one man, Tey Sirrek--who claims to have morichro (the touch of death)--appears to be in the middle of everything. Claiming false accusations, his story becomes more clear as riots begin to break out in the Holy City, the beginning of a teeming war.
A great first volume with a heavy impact, Phase II seems off to an interesting start. While I am personally not that interested in Vildar, I do really like one of the Padawans there, Matty (Matthea Cathley) is rather interesting, along with Tey Sirrek, the kind of guy who always seems to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. With excellent art to bring a new set of characters to life, this series has a lot of potential while providing history to one of the Jedi's most sacred places.
This graphic novel is the first installment to the High Republic era Phase II, which takes place about 150 years before the events of Starlight beacon and Phase I. This volume contains issues 1-5 and follows a very political and religious storyline. The Jedi is merely one of many orders who use the Force, though the varied factions have issues with how others use the Force. Taking place in the Holy City on Jedha, Jedi Vildar Mac arrives to speak with the convocation only to find that ancient artifacts are being stolen, and one man, Tey Sirrek--who claims to have morichro (the touch of death)--appears to be in the middle of everything. Claiming false accusations, his story becomes more clear as riots begin to break out in the Holy City, the beginning of a teeming war.
A great first volume with a heavy impact, Phase II seems off to an interesting start. While I am personally not that interested in Vildar, I do really like one of the Padawans there, Matty (Matthea Cathley) is rather interesting, along with Tey Sirrek, the kind of guy who always seems to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. With excellent art to bring a new set of characters to life, this series has a lot of potential while providing history to one of the Jedi's most sacred places.
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