Comic Review: Star Wars: The High Republic #1

Star Wars: The High Republic #1

Marvel Comics

Writer: Cavan Scott

Artist: Ario Anindito

The High Republic is here! A brand-new era in Star Wars canon taking place around 200 years before The Phantom Menace. Shortly after the events of the novel Light of the Jedi, we join Jedi Master Sskeer as he trains Padawan Keeve Trennis. This issue focuses mainly on introducing these new High Republic characters and establishing the Jedi Order in this time period. The plot is a little thin so far, and this new era will take some adjusting to. However, It’s exciting seeing Cavan Scott setting up to further explore this new, ambitious era of Star Wars.

Padawan Keeve Trennis prepares for her trials, anxious to complete her training and become a Jedi. Her relationship with her master, Sskeer, feels natural and pleasant. They both seem to have mutual respect for each other, rather than the master just looking down on his student. When Trennis’s trial is interrupted by giant insects, she has to abandon her trials and be a hero instead. While Sskeer and Avar Kriss are characters already established in Light of the Jedi, this comic serves as Keeve’s introduction to the franchise. In that regard, I think she is being set up really well. Keeve is smart, heroic, and brave; all great traits for a Jedi to have. Along with that, though, Keeve is also young, so her sassiness, defensiveness, and foul mouth help keep her feeling real.

Another big feature of this issue is getting to see Starlight Beacon. This is a space station serving as a symbol of hope for the Republic. This station is featured heavily in Light of the Jedi, and it’s great seeing it visualized here. The structure and scale of Starlight Beacon aren’t explored here yet, but I hope they will be. We only get a brief look at the station here so far, but it’s most definitely going to play a bigger role in this series.

The art in this issue is very colorful and futuristic while still separating itself from the other Star Wars eras. This is most apparent in the designs of Starlight Beacon as well as the new ships. Starlight Beacon closely resembles the look of Coruscant but also feels inspired by medieval/fantasy settings. I got a good sense of what this place and these characters look like from Light of the Jedi, but I’m much happier seeing them drawn out, and I think they all look great.

This issue ends very abruptly, which is my biggest complaint. I know it’s only the first issue, and there’s a lot to set up, but it ended just as I was getting into it. The final page is especially awkward, ending on a vague cliffhanger that could have been done better. Still, I can see what this story is doing, and I think it is achieving it well. Since I haven’t finished reading the novel Light of the Jedi yet, I’m not entirely sure if it is better to read that before picking up this comic. I think that it is probably better to have a slight understanding of The High Republic prior to reading this, but it is in no way required.

I have to say, I am invested in this new era of Star Wars and I’m very interested in where this series is heading. I’m looking forward to seeing Keeve Trennis’s transition into being a Jedi as well as a deeper exploration of Starlight Beacon and the Jedi Order as a whole during the High Republic.