Comic Book Review - Star Wars: The High Republic #14

Rob reviews Star Wars: The High Republic #14...

Since its start, the main High Republic comic has been a real page-turner. From its fledgling opening to the current issue, Cavan Scott has weaved an intricate story that's all bound by one overall question - what it means to be a Jedi. 

Through the eyes of the principal cast, we've seen every one of them ask this question in various ways. Whether it is Keeve Trennis - who doubts her abilities, Sskeer - who's losing his connection to the Force, or Avar Kriss - whose path for justice is leading her away from the Light. Now as The High Republic phase #1 enters its twilight, Scott starts to bring these threads together, as well as building towards the next phase.

To say the Jedi have had an easy time is a serious understatement. Even catching the deadly Nihil by surprise hasn't been as easy as some may have hoped. While the bulk of the Jedi strike force has dealt a blow to the Nihil organisation, they nearly lost one of their finest in the process. Over the last few issues, we've seen Avar Kriss become more reckless in her resolve. Throughout we've seen this 'beacon" of the Jedi go from brokering an alliance with the Hutts, defying the will of the Jedi High Council, to (very) nearly crossing into the Dark. While Avar's journey has been one of immense loss, losing one's self is a sure path to the Darkside of the Force. 

Not content in seeing her teacher lose herself, Keeve Trennis stands up to what she believes in and comes between Avar and Lourna Dee. While Keeve appeals to Avar's conscience, Lourna strikes and takes Keeve hostage. Thankfully Keeve's heartfelt speech gets through to Avar as she regains her self control just in time to put Lourna back on her ass (again). Now with the Jedi victorious and the "Eye of the Storm" in custody, it's back to Starlight Beacon...

But in true High Republic style, the storm is yet to come.

Arriving back at Starlight Beacon, Avar is chastised by Stellan Gios. Due to her open defiance, Avar has been stripped of her status as Marshall of Starlight Beacon. Before she's able to act an explosion rips through the lower decks of the station - and knocks Starlight Beacon out of its orbit. Now hurtling towards Eiram's atmosphere, Avar and the Ataraxia crew attempt to rescue their friends. However, they'll soon discover that the harrowing events of Xais are set to repeat themselves. 

Scott does a superb job in tying these events to the recent novel 'The Fallen Star'. While both the novel and the comic revolve around the attack on Starlight Beacon, we're given a grander understanding of the event thanks to the change in perspective. This allows Scott to stamp his narrative on the event, whilst keeping to the wider goal.

Away from the narrative, Ario Anindito and Carlos Lopez continue to work together in producing some superb Star Wars art. Anindito tells a lot of the story within his drawings and each facial expression - no matter how small conveys the exact feelings of the characters. One particular scene that stands out is that of Lourna Dee. Whilst the Jedi threat over Starlight Beacon, Anindito gives us an extreme close up of Dee as she snarls in delight. It's a powerful panel that shows just how much of a threat that the character is, and that of the Nihil. 

The whole Star Wars franchise seems to be going through a renaissance at the moment. With 'The Mandalorian' and 'The Book of Bobba Fett' currently telling their story on Disney +. And The High Republic playing out across its various comics and novels, there's no better time to take a trip to that Galaxy far

..far...away!

Rating 9/10 

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev