Published: January 11, 2022
Rating: T
Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Anrea Broccardo
Colourist: Frank William
Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher
Cover Artist: Ario Anindito
The synopsis;
VIOLENCE COMES TO JEDHA!
• The Temple of the Whills has been attacked, Vildar Mac critically injured in the blast. Is Tey Sirrek to blame?
• The Herald of the Open Hand has arrived to address the Convocation, but just what is the nameless horror that lurks in the streets of the Holy City?
• The Battle of Jedha begins here!
The reivew;
Standing with a hand outstretched towards the gathered crowd and bracketed by followers, the stranger on Anindito’s direct cover is intriguing. A new character who’s not been seen before yet who is essential to the plot for The High Republic (2022) #4. Meanwhile Sauvage’s variant focusses on the cast who fans are growing to love in a movie style poster that pops with purples and blues everywhere. Meanwhile Matty’s looking very fierce on Bengal’s variant, lightsaber drawn and soaring through the air. Finally, Kirkham’s variant is another character who’s introduced in this issue, face hidden by the hood of their blood-red cloak.
A bomb at the Temple of Kyber left Jedi Knight Vildar Mac injured and former Guardian of the Whills Tey Sirrek framed! Although Sirrek is considered a traitorous vigilante by the Guardians, the Jedi are not so sure of his crimes. In an attempt to investigate further they implore the Convocation of the Force to grant the Jedi access to the Temple. But before any agreement can be made a stranger appears in their midst claiming that the Force must be freed.
Jedha is chaos. What Cavan Scott is portraying in this series is that while the Pilgrim Moon may be sacred to many sects believing in the Force, they do not get along particularly well. Each party considers themselves in the right and the Convocation is just an excuse for them to all argue without getting much done. Even the Jedi are becoming frustrated, and they are trained in the art of patience. Considering the events of The High Republic (2022) #3, with an archivist being killed by the bomb at the Temple of Kyber, the Convocation are more worried about their public image than the truth about the attack.
All of this is building up to the Festival of Balance. This has been mentioned throughout the rest of The High Republic literature, including Silandra Sho intending to travel there in Quest for the Hidden City by George Mann, along with the peace treaty signing from Convergence by Zoraida Córdova. With so many important dignitaries and representatives intending to congregate in the chaotic streets of Jedha, no wonder the Jedi are worried.
Even though he stopped a bomb, got injured, and needs medical treatment, Vildar is ready to grab a shirt and just go back out on Jedi duty. He either has an invincibility complex or he’s just very tough. When asked how he’s feeling by the other Jedi who have finally arrived to check on things, Vildar’s response of “I’ve only nearly died twice” is so offhand it’s hilarious. Poor Matty is just left rolling her eyes. Their dynamic is growing into a comfortable camaraderie, highlighted by these inside jokes and how Vildar already trusts the Padawan after only being on Jedha for a few days.
Matty is once again proving that she is no simple Padawan – if anything the girl needs to be Knighted because she’s one of the most sensible characters in this cast. After finding a shirt, Vildar and her go to speak with the Convocation and it is Matty who knows how to deal with the representatives. She realises that the Guardians investigating Tey’s possible involvement in the bombing is a conflict of interest and she tries to insist that the Jedi handle it instead. Vildar just stands there looking somewhere between shocked and impressed.
Unfortunately, before Matty can plead her case a stranger interrupts the Convocation meeting, claiming to be the Herald for the Path of the Open Hand. For fans who have read some of the other literature from Phase II, then this Path will be very familiar. And they are not good news, especially for the Jedi. The Path of the Open hand believe that the Force should be ‘free’ and not manipulated by Force users of any kind. Rather than peacefully state their beliefs though, the Herald preaches to the crowds and his intention seems to be a riot. Plus, it looks like he brought a secret weapon… and a very familiar one at that.
With the citizens of Jedha scared and confused, the chaos is only going to become more chaotic. There’s only a handful of Jedi to try and keep the peace, but the Path of the Open Hand can only mean trouble. Tey’s still in prison, Vildar and Matty are caught amidst the angry pilgrims, and there’s a monster on the loose instilling fear into everyone. In The High Republic (2022) #5 the Battle of Jedha begins!
Availability;
Star Wars: The High Republic (2022) is an ongoing series published by Marvel Comics. This issue is available via The Marvel App, ComiXology and from all good comic book stores and retails at $3.99.
