Published: July 28, 2021
Rating: T
Writer: Cavan Scott
Penciler: Georges Jeanty
Colourist: Annalisa Leoni
Letterer: VC’s Arianna Maher
Cover Artist: Phil Noto
The synopsis;
A JEDI FACES THE DARKNESS! KEEVE TRENNIS has put everything on the line to save her former master, but the scars run deep. As AVAR KRISS summons a task force to deal with the DRENGIR THREAT, a desperate NIHIL REMNANT attacks a distant outpost. Can Keeve fight back the shadows long enough to stand for light and life? Guest-starring ORLA JARENI, Jedi Wayseeker.
The review;
Gritting her teeth in determination, lightsaber crossed with a blood red Sith blade, Keeve Trennis is fending off an unknown attacker on Noto’s direct cover. Meanwhile Christopher’s action-figure variant shows a much calmer, yet still sassy looking Keeve, and it’s great to see his style being used on The High Republic covers. Height’s exclusive variant is a foreboding one, with the young Jedi Knight slowly calcifying into wood, her fingers reaching out into branches. All of them suggest at the struggles Keeve is now facing.
Keeve Trennis broke into the hive mind of the evil Drengir in search of answers to save the Jedi, and the Republic, from their ruthless onslaught across Wild Space. However, the telepathic connection went both ways, and the young Jedi Knight is now plagued with dark visions she cannot explain. Out on the frontlines the Jedi are desperately calling for aid, but Keeve no longer feels sure enough of herself to join them…
It is well known that Cavan Scott enjoys including his love of classic horror-films into Star Wars storytelling, most prominently in the Vader’s Castle series by IDW. Yet it definitely inspires some of the vibe of The High Republic #7, particularly the beginning which feels like something out of a horror or psychological thriller and that leaves readers wondering what in the stars is going on.
Throughout the series so far Keeve has been a beacon of light and laughter with her sarcasm and use of rather colourful language. However, Scott is now taking her down a path of self-doubt and insecurity. Keeve has stared into the darkness and the darkness stared back, making the young Knight scared of her own resilience to its power. This is such a change in her character, yet it is an important one. Facing darkness, in whatever form, is something we all have to do, whether it’s in a galaxy far, far away or right here on earth. Through Keeve’s character Scott is showing readers that it’s okay to be unsure and to keep pushing through the shadows. One of the key elements of any good horror story is that the protagonist must not give into the seemingly endless night.
Speaking of horror, enter a Jedi ghost into the comic too. Though not an actual Force ghost, just Keeve’s nickname for Wayseeker Orla Jareni because she’s a pale Umbaran. Fans who have read Into the Dark by Claudia Gray will immediately recognise the name of the Jedi Master who was one of the key characters helping Padawan Reath Silas. It will be fascinating to see whether she will team-up with Keeve and whether Orla will provide some guidance to the Jedi Knight. Wayseekers have not been seen much in Star Wars literature, so excitingly her role could be anything.
There is definitely a creepier tone to Jeanty’s artwork for The High Republic #7 as he plays up the deep shadows for many of the panels. The art for Keeve’s vision is particularly striking as the scenes switch very quickly, adding to Keeve’s growing sense of panic, yet also linking in more to Into the Dark and even The Rise of Kylo Ren. Here at Jedi News, we recently noticed how a location drawn by Will Sliney in the final pages for The Rise of Kylo Ren #1 seemed suspiciously like Gray’s description of the arboretum space station in her book, and here Jeanty draws the exact same station, perfectly matching Sliney’s artwork. So, there’s over 250 years of Star Wars canon impressively linked together by Soule, Scott and Gray!
As if The High Republic #7 couldn’t get any darker, Scott railroads in with a massive cliffhanger that is extremely shocking and will leave fans reeling. This seems to be becoming a pattern – looking at you The Rising Storm. To wait a month to find out whether the contents of the last panel is true, and if so, how it happened, will be absolute torture. For light and life, yet how much life is left in the Jedi struggling against the Dark?
Availability;
Star Wars: The High Republic #7 was published July 28, 2021 by Marvel Comics. This issue is available via The Marvel App and from all good comic book stores and retails at $3.99.
