Rob reviews Star Wars: The High Republic #13...
The High Republic #13 ushers the Jedi of Starlight Beacon into the twilight of the first arc's closing segments. To say it's been a wild thrill ride is an absolute understatement. The whole High Republic project has so far documented the gallant Jedi in their struggles against a foe that doesn't know defeat - the Nihil. We've seen the Jedi suffer loss after a loss as the Nihil utilises quite a brutal way of combat to the Outer Rim.
Every time the Jedi seem to catch a break, there's something there to send them crashing back down again. Cavan Scott has been steadily building to what happens in this issue for a while. And its result could be something we've seen before on the big screen...
Issue #13 sees the relatively small strike force of Avar Kriss, Keeve Trennis, and Sskeer in their mission to raid the Great Hall of the Nihil. They plan to capture Lourna Dee - the supposed Eye of the Storm. However what the trio find is something that leads one of them treading a fine line down a path that a Jedi shouldn't be on.
I said in my review for Star Wars: The High Republic #12 that it felt like a turning point for both the series, as well as the Jedi. Thankfully I wasn't wrong. Cavan Scott builds upon the frustrations seen within that issue to a dramatic effect as Avar Kriss goes to some desperate measures to capture Lourna Dee - who she wrongly assumes is the leader of the Nihil. Overall this is a pretty brutal issue that shows just how far Kriss is willing to go to capture Dee - even if it means losing herself along the way.
Throughout we see Avar's emotions start to get the better of her as recent losses under her watch as the Marshall Starlight Beacon start to take their toll. She blames Dee for these losses and she's certainly out for the Twi'lek's blood. If anything Kreeve and Sskeer is just along for the ride as Avar tears through the Great Hall looking for her prey.
When the two finally meet, it's a bloody display of Avar tearing into Dee. Even with the support of Zeeta's battlesuit, Dee soon succumbs to Avar's lust for revenge.
There's a lot of character work at play as Scott charts the once-proud Jedi's slow descent to the Dark Side. There are a lot of similarities here between Anakin's fall from grace as seen in Revenge of the Sith - mainly his hatred and inner turmoil when he slaughtered the Tusken Raider tribe who killed his mother. While Anakin's fall was played out within the confines of a movie, Scott has had thirteen issues to craft Avar's downfall. It's been a captivating fall that's certainly not over yet.
Much like the other parts of this blockbuster, the artwork remains consistent. Ario Anindito and Carlos Lopez do a tremendous job in bringing Scott's script to life. The choice of a green colour scheme works wonders in bathing everything in a toxic fog that not only clouds the action but also represents the clouded judgement of the cast. Each clash of a lightsaber and use of Force powers is also expertly captured and you can feel each action has a certain weight behind it.
Overall, Star Wars: The High Republic #13 continues to mark a turning point for the multimedia project. With this first phase ending within issue #15, Cavan Scott has two more issues to wrap things up. How this will end is still up for debate. But one thing is certain. It's been one enjoyable masterclass in storytelling!
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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