Published: February 3, 2021
Writer: Daniel José Older
Artist: Harvey Tolibao
Colourist: Rebecca Nalty
Letterer: Jake M. Wood
Cover Artist: Harvey Tolibao
The synopsis;
In the days of the High Republic a team of inexperienced Padawans race to Trymant IV to aid its citizens after an attack by the Nihil, a band of dangerous marauders, leaves the city on fire. Padawans Lula, Farzal, and Qort do their best to help as many people as they can. Meanwhile, Zeen and Kriz, part of a group that resents and fears the Jedi, must decide whether they can accept their help or try to save the day on their own.
The review;
A new adventure series from IDW. Well, my anticipation is already high. For any of you have read my reviews of the regular series, you know how highly I regard the work done at IDW. But to make things even better, this is the High Republic Adventures, part of the new phase of Star Wars publishing. The High Republic so far is a ray of light in the Star Wars universe. Not beholden to any of the saga, the comic series from Cavan Scott and the first novel from Charles Soule have really been a breath of fresh air to the stories that have been hampered by the release of the films. Authors now have the opportunity to really let their creative ideas fly. For Adventures, we have Daniel José Older, no stranger to Star Wars, his most notable work being his novel Last Shot. We also see the return of Harvey Tolibao, who was last in a galaxy far, far away a long-time ago pencilling some issues of Knights of the Old Republic. I can’t wait to see what this pair give us with this first issue…
IDW have taken the right approach with this issue and made it one story, as opposed to the format in the main series, which is two smaller ones. For here, there are two stories within the story itself and it is the main driving force of this tale. Older has created two characters, Lula and Zeen. Each have had a different upbringing, but both feel the force. What I like about these two characters is the vast difference between them which makes them so relatable to so many readers. Lula, a Jedi padawan, has studied perfectly, top of her class, yet has no practical experience. She is anxious because experience means everything. Zeen on the other hand has a huge amount of life experience, yet she has been forced to hide who she truly is, scared to tell those around her who she is as a person. Both of these are very real issues in our world, a fear of the wider world and our parts in it and fear of being true to oneself and not fearing being judged by others. Older is throwing these characters together, the ‘Collison Course’. Even from one issue, Older has created two characters that are very likeable, whether you’re old or young, and I can’t wait to see where the story will lead these two characters.
Before I go much further, I should mention the premise for this story. Jedi dealing with an emergence. If, like me, you have read Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule, then this will make absolute sense to you. It is very easy to see where this issue fits in with the entire overarching series of The High Republic and having read the book, I felt that this issue was simply a continuation to the events. If you haven’t read the book, Older explains enough that it doesn’t hamper your reading, but I would recommend that prior reading, if even just the first few chapters, will really allow you to fully appreciate the work that Older is doing here.
With this wonderful comparison by Older between the two main characters, Tolibao adds his own touch through the artwork. He continually is comparing these two with how the panels are laid out. This could easily have been very confusing, who’s voice are we actually hearing, who’s viewpoint are we actually seeing? But Tolibao sets the pages out so well that not once did I have to wonder which character we were following. The use of colour for the speech bubbles was a stroke of genius which really helped to not break the flow of the story. It’s not just here that Tolibao thrives, the detail to his panels is exceptional. There is a full-page panel of a rescue, yet behind the main figures, are rescue vehicles at work, people being moved to safety and explosions. It is a feast for the eyes! On mentioning the speeders, the designs of these are some of my favourites, with an almost 1930s style automobile feel to them, very similar to the cars we see in Batman: The Animated Series. It really helps this feel that the is before the Skywalker Saga.
There are so many wonderful moments in this story. The first is easily seeing Yoda, who has only shown himself here and there through the other stories in The High Republic but looks as though he maybe a staple here. For younger readers, it allows them to make an easy connection to the stories they already know. The range of species is aways good to see, although I did do a double take with one of the padawans, as his face looks very distinctly like a mask worn by a Sith from Legends (I won’t say anymore). There is also a galactic data file within the story, a lovely touch to help place all that is going on, whether you’ve read all the other material or just this one. I hope this continues through the other issues.
So far, the output of The High Republic has been exceptional and High Republic Adventures is no different. Older has laced his tale in the overall mythology of the era while creating two unique characters that children (and adults) will love to keep reading about. There is a lot in this issue (as always seems to be the case with IDW) yet it also seems to be over far too soon. I’m very happy with the change of format, as I don’t think stories like this could work with two, smaller tales. With incredible artwork by Tolibao, that should have felt a little disjointed, yet flows flawlessly, he and Older have really set an incredibly high bar for this series that I can’t wait to come back to. If you have yet to jump on The High Republic band wagon, or want something to ease your little padawans into, this is a great starting point. Or if you are just like me and want more from that era, this quenches that thirst and then some!
Availability;
Star Wars High Republic Adventures is an ongoing series available from IDW Publishing. This issue is available from all good comic bookstores in the USA and from Forbidden Planet in the UK. This issue retails at $3.99.
