Published: December 15, 2021
Rating: T
Writer: Cavan Scott
Penciler: Georges Jeanty
Inker: Karl Story
Colourist: Carlos Lopez
Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher
Book Desgin: Carlos Lao
Cover Artist: Phil Noto
The synopsis;
THE HUNT FOR LOURNA DEE CONTINUES!
The NIHIL have unleashed a unknown terror against the Jedi. MARSHAL AVAR KRISS is more determined than ever to bring LOURNA DEE to justice, but does STELLAN GIOS and the JEDI COUNCIL agree? As KEEVE TRENNIS struggles with what she experienced on the Nihil base, the Jedi prepare for war. PLUS, the truth about SSKEER is finally revealed—but what does it mean for his future?
The review;
Mysterious Twi’lek Nihil leader Lourna Dee takes centre stage of Noto’s direct cover, wielding a stolen lightsaber and hidden behind a mask. To add to her sense of dangerousness, her breastplate is made from rib bones and an eerie red glow shine from behind. She also features on McKone’s and Suayan’s variants, ready to battle the Republic in each. Finally, Wijngaard’s cover is a very clever portrayal of Avar Kriss trying to hold back the Nihil by herself, an apt metaphor for The High Republic #12.
After losing the Nihil marauders, including their ferocious leader Lourna Dee, on the Outer Rim planet of Xais, the Jedi Council is at odds. Marshal Avar Kriss is demanding offensive action, putting her at odds with longtime friend Stellan Gios. He advises caution. Avar refuses to listen. Meanwhile, young Jedi Knight Keeve Trennis observes it all with a sense of detachment and failure, blaming herself for the Nihil’s escape. So, she’s shocked when another Master asks her to spy on the Marshal.
Just when fans think that things can’t get worse for the Jedi, Cavan Scott comes along and makes things worse. Lincoln famously said a house divided against itself cannot stand alone, and that perfectly sums up the Jedi Council in The High Republic #12. Avar is so determined to stop the Nihil she’s becoming blinded to her own actions. Stellan can see this but being in the Core means there’s not much he can do. Seeing Jedi argue isn’t something new, The Clone Wars showed how heated it could get, yet this lands differently. The Jedi are afraid of the Nihil, and it’s causing even good Jedi to fall to morally questionable action.
Whilst Avar doesn’t have a lot of time in the books, she shines in the comics, especially this issue. Yet for all the wrong reasons. As the Marshal of Starlight Beacon, she has almost executive power at the edge of Wild Space, and Avar is becoming too sure of herself. She’s issuing orders, making demands, and having Jedi go along with her even if they disagree. Her need to destroy the Nihil is consuming Avar and being ruled by her emotions could end badly for the Marshal. How this will continue in the High Republic will be fascinating to see, as Cavan is really developing her character so well.
Then there’s Keeve. Avar is absolutely awful to her in this issue. The young Jedi Knight is hurting, both physically and emotionally after the Nihil attack, yet the Marshal argues that the Force will provide. It doesn’t matter how strong you are with the Force – any pain needs time to heal. Asking Keeve straight back into action is a recipe for disaster, and the tension between these two women is palpable. Will this blow up like the cover reveal for The High Republic #13 suggests?
Especially since Master Maru (he’s basically the geek who helps run Starlight’s systems) asks Keeve to spy on Avar. This really shows that the Jedi are beginning to not trust each other, and Keeve is shocked by his request. Everything is cracking for the Jedi. There’s actually a wonderfully touching moment between Keeve and Sskeer, where the Trandoshan tells his former Padawan that she’s the only one who he trusts.
Due to the political machinations and a lot of squabbling, many of the panels for The High Republic #12 are conversations, and Jeanty’s artwork is nothing short of remarkable. He expertly portrays Avar’s vexed frustration, Keeve’s sense of self-hatred, and Maru’s concern. There are subtle changes in expression that speak far louder than the character’s lines, with the emotions still staying true to each character. Sskeer is a particular standout as the scaly Jedi has a heart-to-heart with Keeve, not an easy thing to do with the grumpy Trandoshan. There’s also a series of pages where Avar is borderline being scary towards her fellow Jedi that feels like it could be from Episode III.
Scott is firmly planting dissent in The High Republic #12, and these fractures have to start breaking soon. Going to war with the Nihil is not the Jedi way, and the golden era of the Republic is becoming tarnished. Avar is becoming more lost every time the marauders slips through her grasp. Sskeer is fighting an invisible enemy. And Keeve is trying to hold what she loves together. So, what or who, will break first in next month’s issue?
Availability;
Star Wars: The High Republic #12 is published by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via The Marvel App and from all good comic book stores.
