Comic Review: The High Republic (Phase III) #7

Standing amidst roaring flames, Keeve Trennis looks directly at the reader. In her gaze is a focused resolution and maybe even a hint of doubt. This is a Jedi who’s starting to become disillusioned with the Order and it’s Noto’s best cover so far. Noto’s other incredible cover is for the Master & Apprentice variant, which features a dynamic composition of Anakin and Ahsoka running into battle. Plus, there’s more Masters and Padawans in Sprouse’s anniversary variant, which is a classic shot from The Phantom Menace as Qui Gon and Obi Wan go and make some very short negotiations.

It’s also possibly hinting at one of the reasons that Keeve leaves the Jedi Order. We know that this is something that will happen as Keeve becomes disillusioned to the ways of the Order. One of the things that seems to be pushing Keeve in this direction is the Jedi’s proclivity for choosing violence first rather than using the Force more peacefully. Keeve has come to view her lightsaber as a last resort, but it is the first call for many of her fellow Jedi. It’s really interesting to see this in The High Republic (Phase III) #7 when Tales of the Empire just showed how Barriss Offee embracing a more intuitive, peaceful approach to the Force.

It’s the type of Force connection that Sifo Dyas also tried to follow. And the reason to mention this is because Scott makes reference to a ritual that both Dooku and Sifo Dyas learned in the Dooku: Jedi Lost audio drama. After Sskeer loses himself to anger over the little Yacombe getting upset, Tey encourages the Trandoshan to use the Balm of the Luminous – a bandage inscribed with text to banish the effects of the Dark Side. It wasn’t elaborated upon further, so having it go back so long in time adds a lot of provenance.

Yet as peace seems to finally descend upon this fractured group, the Nihil hunter returns. Determined to secure the child for Baron Boolan, she tricks the Jedi into seeing things that aren’t there. While she gets away though, Lourna has a plan to help. The Twi’lek is such a fascinating character because it’s so hard to predict what Lourna will do in any situation. She’s usually quite self-serving but there’s something about children being in danger that snaps Lourna into action. She’s placed a tracker on the child so they can find her – and Boolan.

Throughout the action in these panels is the amazing artwork by Cresta. There’s so much tension and unspoken thoughts captured in the characters’ body language. The subtle differences between angry or frustrated expressions are beautifully nuanced, which isn’t easy for a scaled character like Sskeer. But the standout panel has to be Lourna hugging the Yacombe girl. There’s so much compassion drawn into that hug and it’s one of the few panels that’s completely still. It’s as if time has stopped in that moment and it’s definitely a piece of art to reflect upon when reading.

Scott delivers yet another emotional rollercoaster of anger and frustration as the stakes continue to be raised. The High Republic (Phase III) #7 is just past the halfway point for the series, yet where this story will go next is anyone’s guess! Will Lourna’s tracker work? Why does Boolan need Force sensitive children? Next issue will reveal the Minister of Advancement’s deadly designs!