Rob reviews Star Wars: The High Republic - Trail of Shadows #2...
Star Wars meets The Wire as Trail of Shadows sets off on its journey. Previously we were introduced to duel protagonists Emerick Caphtor and Sian Holt. Two very different characters who unknowingly are after the same answers. However one is a high-ranking Jedi, and the other is a high-end private investigator.
Continuing from the last issue both Caphtor and Holt are summoned by Chancellor Soh to review their unknowingly connected investigations. It's soon made clear to the two characters that they are after the same offender and as such Soh tasks the two investigators to work together. After a bit of reluctance, both Caphtor and Holt head off to the planet Vorzyd in search of 'The Gambler's Paradise'. Soh informs the duo that a member of the Nihil is there and is attempting to sell the weapon on the black market.
During the voyage, there's plenty of characterisation as both characters attempt to get to know each other. There's plenty of 'buddy cop' moments as Holt attempts to get the 'stuffy' Jedi to lighten up. There's also a great conversation as Holt presses Caphtor on the Jedi's use of a lightsaber - which is something that's been simmering in the background of the High Republic for a while. There are also concerns around the Jedi's war with the Nihil especially since the marauders attacked the Republic Fair. Inherently, Caphtor dismisses these concerns, but it's certainly raised some eyebrows.
Aspects take a darker turn as the duo arrives on Vorzyd. With their contact dead, things take on a more detective role as both characters do what they do best - investigator work. But it's not too long before the popular Star Wars storytelling comes back...blasters and lightsabers! And of course, the conclusion teases yet another tie-in to the rest of the High Republic series.
What Trail of Shadows does well is that it subverts your expectations of what a Star Wars story is. While it fits into the ongoing High Republic series, it's far different from what Cavan Scott is crafting with the main story. Daniel José Older brings a very character-driven story that's more detective noir than Star Wars. It's certainly not your traditional tale but that's not a bad thing at all. This second instalment continues to build up the tension as much like Holt and Caphtor, we still have no idea what the big picture is. Older's writing allows us to discover these secrets at the same time as his characters which gives every reveal quite the punch.
David Wachter and Giada Marchisio bring plenty of gorgeous art to this issue. There's plenty of that classic Star Wars feel of clean sterile environments mixed in with the darker tones of the more seedy elements of the story. The planet Vorzyd feels a lot like Coruscant with the more neon-soaked environment of Nar Shadarr and the art does a superb job in showing its deadly underbelly.
Action sequences are also pretty well done. The main sequence here is bathed within a green smoke-filled environment which felt a lot like the opening to the Phantom Menace.
All in all Star Wars: The High Republic - Trail of Shadows is both a great standalone title and companion to the wider High Republic series. Older takes the greatest parts of Star Wars and throws these elements into an old fashioned detective noir. Star Wars has so many stories hidden within its universe and it's great to see this one play out.
Rating 9/10
Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev
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