Published: April 5, 2023
Rating: Rated T
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Madibek Musabekov
Colourist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: VC’s Clayton Cowles
Cover Artist: Stephen Segovia & Rain Beredo
The synopsis;
UNTETHERED!
• Luke Skywalker’s connection to the Force has been disrupted; one of his most powerful tools in his journey to become a Jedi is gone.
• He must undertake an epic quest to find what he has lost…or he, and the galaxy, will fall to darkness.
The review;
The High Republic, perhaps one of the biggest gambles we have seen in a galaxy far, far away that really paid off. An incredible series that fans want to see more and more, to learn more about this new and exciting era. Who better to show us more than one of the co-creators, Charles Soule. With our beloved Original Trilogy characters, we get to see how they react to places, technology and places all based in the new era, learning the history as much as we, the readers, are. Soule has been doing a tremendous job of bringing the two together flawlessly and each issue I have been excited to see how he will approach the comic. Madibek Musabekov returns this issue, who brought a wonderfully fresh look to the series. Last time, we say Chewbacca take centre stage, this week, who knows?
There is definitely a shift from the Wookiee this issue to allow both Luck and Lando to shine. Lando. He still has his secrets. From the very start of this series, Soule was very clear that Lando was not a Rebel, that he was trying to save his own skin, even if that means betraying his newly acquired friends. But what we knew, as fans, was that eventually Lando changes, that he becomes a true Rebel. Over the course of thirty-three issues, Soule has shown this gradual eradication of the gambler, of how he has seen a different side to the galaxy. This comic, we see the birth of the Rebel Calrissian. It is not monumental, and neither should it be. Lando has had to have his mind change overtime, a much more profound change of thought. When he gives the speech to the crowd of Kezarat, he does it very differently to Leia, and different to how the old Lando would do things. He does it with complete honesty and transparency. Soule really brings this arc for this character together so well, to have this subtle shift done so right. You can’t help but feel a little proud of Lando for having done the right thing. What I also like, is how Soule shows Lando’s caring side for Luke. With no hesitation, no thought for his own safety, Lando wants to protect Luke and keep him safe. There budding friendship has been a real treat to seeing growing in this series, as well as Lando looking out for someone other than himself.
Luke. Another character that Soule has shown so much character growth and has been the most appealing aspect of this series for me. Seeing the development of him from The Empire Strikes Back to where we know he ends up in Return of the Jedi is one of Soule’s greatest achievements in this series. Luke, his saber gone, has nothing but to rely on a force that seems to have escaped him. Yet, he believes, and with that belief comes power. The shock, the power, the result, it comes so beautifully together in the scene, it’s like seeing Yoda lift the x-wing out of the swamp for the first time. It shows just how far this character has come, how his understanding of the force has come so far along. Of course, with that comes a lot of questions about no space, but we can discuss those at another time. Even with something so monumental, Luke (and Soule) never gets away from the underlying problem, Vader. When that panel shows up, it’s like you are hit by a wall. Always there, always part of something that Luke has to resolve. Even with all the adventures, Soule never loses sight of the objective in all of this, the lead up to Return of the Jedi. He knows his story is carrying the characters to there.
There are a lot of impactful moments in this story. Musabekov really brings them to life and gives them that wow factor. The double page spread of Luke using the force is exceptional, the gravity of the situation so clear within the beautifully drawn panels. One aspect I’m really enjoying is his work with the same suits, I can’t help thinking I’m watching some B movie from the 1950’s (and I mean that as a huge compliment to his work). The crowd that Lando is speaking to is literally full of so many different species and aliens, you have to take a couple fo minutes just to be able to scan the page. It’s this care and detail that bring the important moments in the story to life.
Even in no space, the Rebels are bringing hope. You can take a Rebel out of the galaxy but… well is it out of the galaxy? Or within the gala- ok, maybe not that discussion for now but the characters are always true to themselves. Even in somewhere different, they never give up, always bringing hope. Yet it’s the admission that returning to normal space is not going to be easy. It’s not what Leia would have told them, and I like how Soule shows that Lando is almost a balance to her. Yes, give them hope, but don’t give them unrealistic expectations.
When our heroes do finally return, we are given a scene matching The Empire Strikes Back. Luke still needing a new hand but most certainly not in the same place as he was in the movie. Soule uses this to show us just how much the character has developed. You can hear how Luke talks about the force, the confidence, his faith in it. Again, it’s something we have had to wait years for as fans, to hear Luke talk like this (and in a positive way). The realisation that Leia has, the distraction, I’m presuming are from the events of Hidden Empire. I won’t delve into that here but needless to say you should also be reading that series, also by Soule. Small little links that really have a profound impact on this story and the wider story been told by so many authors.
This arc has been a breath of fresh air for our characters in some ways. Away from the usual to something very unusual. Yet it has been such a great way for Soule to show how far these characters have come and how much they have learnt. For fans, it has been so exciting to see the Original Trilogy and The High Republic era brought together and see how the two interact with one another. This is my favourite series for the connections it continually makes with the films and if you are a lover of the originally trilogy look no further.
Availability;
Star Wars (2020) is an ongoing series available from Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via the Marvel App, ComiXology and all good comic book stores.
