Published: December 1, 2021
Writer: Daniel José Older
Artist: Harvey Tolibao
Colours: Rebecca Nalty
Letters: Jake M. Wood
Cover Artist: Harvey Tolibao
Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer
Editor: Heather Antos
The synopsis;
The Masters and Padawans take a much-needed break to participate in the Great Jedi Rumble Race! It’s the most important event in the galaxy (probably) and there’s only one rule… THERE ARE NO RULES! But Lula is too stuck in her own head to enjoy the raucous, no-holds-barred tussle to the finish line.
Meanwhile, on Corellia, trouble brews…
The review;
The Christmas holiday, it’s my favourite time of year! Lights twinkling, people merry and storylines take on a bit of our actual reality. The High Republic is not even a year old (yes, it’s not even been a year!) but has yet to make a mistake in any of its forms. Daniel José Older has continued to outdo himself with this incredible series. Last issue, he had yet another true ‘Star Wars’ moment, a true cinematic experience and I really can’t wait to see where he goes next. The fact he is joined by Harvey Tolibao once again makes it even more perfect.
The Great Jedi Rumble Race. The whole idea behind this event, and this issue, fits so well with the holiday season. It looks at a Jedi tradition that has all been but forgotten, yet some of the masters feel after the year it has been, that it is an important one to bring back. Last year, a lot of us had a very different Christmas, with families not been able to meet and share the special time together. I’m sure that we all have Great Jedi Rumble Race’s that we may be thinking of bringing back for our own families, that seem more important than ever. More than that, we get to see how the Jedi used to think, realising that relaxation, of taking a break from the intensity of the issues of the galaxy was so important. It’s obvious why Older chose to present this to fans now, not only is it the right time of year but also for the real-life relatability of us here.
As well as a break from the main storyline, Older is able to really focus on a different character, Lula. Instead of the issues with Zeen, Older focuses on one of the other padawans. Lula always seems so strong in the series, but here, we see that she is struggling with her emotions. Like many of us, she struggles to talk about them, to formulate the words to explain how she is feeling. Alone, lost, Lula keeps thinking that there is something wrong with her, that a Jedi shouldn’t be thinking as she is. Yet perhaps the most frustrating thing, is that if Lula were to share, were to let someone in, then she might realise that she is feeling like most Jedi do, that this is part of her growing into a Jedi Knight. Luke, Anakin, Obi-Wan, not only in the movies but in numerous pieces of literature, we see that every Jedi has to learn to deal with their emotions, that there are times that they all feel out of control. It seems a common problem that the Jedi don’t feel like that they can share, yet in doing so, they would find far more acceptance than they realise. It’s perhaps an important lesson for younger readers, that nothing is achieved by holding things in. It’s interesting when Sabata discusses this, as she isn’t wrong in most of her analyse of the Jedi.
Part of the story takes place away from the race, but on Corellia with Krix and Sabata. Krix is going to be betrayed again, one that will confirm to him that no-one can be trusted and that he has to look after himself. When he inevitably meets Keen again, it’s these experiences that will influence his actions with her. Older keeps showing how these two characters are going through very different experiences, that Krix is always having the worst experience, showing him how negative the galaxy is. Zeen on the other hand is surrounded with friends and people who love her. Older takes this comparison further again for Krix and his companion, Sabata, are trying to one up each other, making it a competition. Yet Zeen has friends, like Qort, who although they are having a fun filled competition, still want to win together. It’s all about the enjoyment and spending time together. Where with Krix, it’s all full intensity and getting ahead of everyone else. It’s important that this theme is reiterated again and again in this series, as it attracts more and more new fans. It shows the themes this series deals with as well as paying heed to the two, usual main characters.
The Galactic Datafile returns in this issue and I’m glad it does. It shows the Starlight Beacon, which for established fans, is great to have a map for. For new readers, it highlights what is most important to this series. I really like that the Jedi council chamber is a copy of the one on Coruscant, it makes sense that the architects would try and make the Jedi feel like they’re at home away from home.
The return of the artwork by Tolibao is most welcome. His style and flow work perfectly in an issue that is so fast paced and so filled with action. This man is the master of detail, there is so much to look and admire in every panel. The facial expressions of the characters, particularly Buckets of Blood, works extremely well and highlights the wonderful humour that underlies this whole issue. From the very start of the issue (even in the introduction of the comic), there is lots of humour to be found. Older walks a fine line getting the balance of this issue just right. On one hand, the issue is supposed to be a break, a bit of fun. Yet the depth that this series has gone would mean it’s hard to ignore the deeper, darker themes. Older does both, giving readers a sense of both light-hearted fun but also something deeply emotional and thought provoking (much like Christmas itself). It’s why this series has always worked so well for me, Older is able to cover all of these emotions and themes with confidence.
This is such a strong issue. It will put you very much in the holiday mood with the relaxed Jedi racing around Starlight Beacon but will also make you wonder what the new year will bring for our young padawans. Instead of ignoring the themes that have really set this series apart, Older embraces and weaves them into the light hearted activities, providing something that is of value to the wider storylines playing during this era and teasing what is to come. It fits perfectly with what we have come to expect from this series and Older. Not only that, but it also allows us to reflect on what we have been through in our world, that now might be the time to dust off some of these older traditions. Perhaps Older will make this a holiday tradition, I mean, if Brooklyn 99 can have the Halloween heist, why can’t we have an annual Great Jedi Rumble Race each year? I think there might be some characters who want a rematch.
Availability;
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures is an ongoing series available from IDW Publishing. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available from all good comic bookstores in the USA and from Forbidden Planet in the UK.
