The High Republic is a golden age for democracy, as planets across the galaxy thrive under peace and prosperity. Valiant Jedi help to maintain the balance throughout the systems, with outposts and stations to provide localised help, though most disputes are minor. While the Jedi are willing to work with the Republic, they maintain their independence and protocols. These are Jedi who are working hard for justice, striving for the light, and training their Padawans with the knowledge they need to be peacekeepers.
Across the three phases of The High Republic there have been a multitude of new Jedi introduced alongside some long-lived familiar faces. There’s been everything from Trandoshan Jedi to Force-sensitive dogs, and even Master Yaddle in her younger years. As some fans are currently finding this era through Star Wars: The Acolyte, following the adventures of Master Sol, Jecki Lon, Yord Fandar, we thought we’d shine a lightsaber on our own favourites from this era.
Kat: Ever since she was introduced in the first The High Republic comic from Marvel by Cavan Scott, my favourite Jedi from the High Republic has been Keeve Trennis. We’re introduced to Keeve during a lesson she’s receiving from her Master. Sskeer is a Trandoshan, which is a species typically associated with hunting Jedi, yet he’s patiently taken Keeve as his student. Keeve is one of the best written teenagers I’ve ever read, capturing her insecurities and fears, yet also emphasising her capabilities and confidence. Out of all the Jedi I’d want to emulate; Keeve would be the one.
Mark: A favourite? A favourite? This age is full of Jedi that I absolutely adore. The quality of writing for this entire era has been nothing short of incredible in the books and comics. Would I pick Stellan Gios, who I greatly admire? Would I pick Bell Zettifar? I mean, it’s not easy! Then throw it open to not just the books and comics but the different series and then that means I could pick Nubs (who my daughter would most certainly pick) or the incredibly well acted Master Sol. Oh the decisions! Any of these would be worthy of my top pick!
Kat: You can only pick one Mark. One Jedi. We’re not dealing with the Rule of Two.
Mark: Alas, we are dealing with absolutes – clearly – so I better pick one! Out of all these different options, and it is no easy choice, I think my number one Jedi would have to be Qort…I think! Since he was introduced by Daniel Jose Older in The High Republic Adventures, reminding me so much of a baby Darth Krayyt, I was fascinated by this character. His journey through the comics was one that really spoke to me.
Kat: That’s the great advantage of these characters being in the books or comics – the authors can take them on a journey of character development and self-discovery. Keeve starts off as a spunky Padawan who’s happy to mouth off at the slightest inconvenience. She wants to get things done and has her own way of doing things. It’s through the start of the Great Disaster and the rise of the Drengir that Keeve learns about patience, leadership, and sometimes the adults are wrong.
This is what makes her my favourite. She’s unafraid to tell the adults when they’re wrong and try things her own way instead. To have that confidence takes a lot of faith in yourself, which Keeve learns to have as she faces challenge after challenge. But she doesn’t lose her spark! She’s still cursing even as a fully-fledged Jedi Knight! Growing up is never easy, let alone when you’re in the middle of an intergalactic crisis, so Keeve’s journey really spoke to my own life challenges as I was progressing through university while balancing work, which I suspect a lot of adolescent readers will also relate to.
Mark: Absolutely and I think that’s the same with Qort. Interestingly, it’s interesting that we’ve both chosen Jedi that start out young and then mature into themselves during the era, as opposed to those Jedi that are already adults. For me, Qort is always speaking differently to everyone else. As a reader, we can’t understand him, and this gives him a wonderful sense of mystery.
Yet Older has a story to tell with him and we see that his mask is the thing that he uses to contain and control his anger. I think everyone has a time in their life when they feel that their anger gets the better of them and it is wonderful to see how Qort uses an item to control his. It’s even more interesting that he is a Jedi wrestling with this. When he finally outgrows his mask and joins his friend, as someone in control and mature, well – it’s rather emotional! During the time his story was being published, I was rather angry with the world myself. We were in lockdown and my wife was battling cancer, it was a time to be angry. Qort really resonated with me on that deeper level.
Kat: Currently Keeve is one of the returning characters for The High Republic (Phase III) comics and she’s grown so much. As you said, watching these characters develop as they age, taking on board life lessons, isn’t something as easily done within the movies or on television. The closest would either be Omega from The Bad Batch or Ahsoka Tano. And with the ability to reread the comics and books, yet knowing where the story leads, you get an even greater appreciation for the writing and overall character arc.
Keeve is going through a rough patch, and I’ve chosen a character who will eventually leave the Jedi Order. And she’s starting to get frustrated with her place. As a youngster it’s easier to hope that things will change, but as you get older sometimes you realise that only you can make changes for yourself. Leaving the Jedi Order is no easy decision, but sometimes the hardest choices are the ones that will benefit us most. I’m very interested to see where Keeve’s character goes because all she’s ever known is the Jedi. But to grow beyond that is also an exciting prospect.
Mark: As for Qort, his adventures continue in The High Republic Adventures from Dark Horse Comics. Now while that may be released in the USA, we’ve been struggling to get issues on our small island. Suffice to say, I can’t wait till the collected issues are all ready and I can read everything back-to-back to see what Qort now does. One thing we were able to get a hold of was the Free Comic Book Day issue that has Qort working with Nubs. I mean, could we ask for much more? Of course, now that he has grown, controlled his anger and is now mask-less, I can’t wait to see his character flourish even further.
But now we’ve covered our favourite characters, at least so far, want to give me a clue as to who your number two would be? I mean, I technically listed my top five after all…
Kat: Easy! Dagan Gera…either as a Jedi or when he turns!
