Published: March 8, 2023
Rating: T
Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Ario Anindito
Colourist: Frank William
Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher
Cover Artist: Ario Anindito
The synopsis;
THE BATTLE OF JEDHA CONTINUES!
• As Tey Sirrek defends the Temple of the Kyber, Vildar Mac is buried alive, with only his belief in the Force to keep him alive.
• Who can come to his aid as the Holy City tears itself apart?
• But Vildar is a Jedi beset by doubts, a man scarred by a past he should’ve forgotten years ago.
• The Force is with Vildar, but is he one with the Force?
The reivew;
Struggling under the weight of the rubble, Vildar’s determination and desperation are palpable on Paquette and Sánchez’s direct cover. It’s one of the darker ones from this series so far, and all the stronger for it. Noto’s variant is the same scene but from Matty’s perspective as she tries to help her fellow Knight, reminiscent of Rey’s lifting rocks from The Last Jedi. She’s also the star in Momoko’s women’s history month variant, looking absolutely amazing against a moody monochromatic background. Finally, a flashback graces Reis’ variant, which is a key part of this issue.
Jedha is in chaos. After the Path of the Open Hand has stirred the crowds into a riot, ensuing panic and violence amongst the masses, everywhere there is devastation. Jedi Knight Vildar Mac is desperately trying to stop a building collapsing on those inside, while Padawan Matty searches for help. Inside the Kyber Temple, Tey Sirrek is trying to get the Guardians of the Whills to give aid to civilians and look beyond their basic duty. Only by coming together can they save the civilians – but is it already too late?
Scott has been so clever in the way he’s written The High Republic (2022) #6. Up until now he’s shown fans a Jedha divided, from the streets to the different sects. Everybody has been out for their own gains and with little consideration for collaboration. Now though, with disaster having struck, all these different peoples are realising that they share Jedha and the only way to survive is by helping one another. A key teaching of the Force is harmony, that the Jedi are stronger together than they are alone, and that is what is being inspired in these characters.
Vildar is desperately trying to protect the members of the Path of the Open Hand who are trapped in the collapsing almshouse. These are the sect who have been publicly denouncing the Jedi and who have caused most of the chaos on the Pilgrim Moon. Vildar could have let them be crushed, yet he hasn’t. He is a Jedi and that means he needs to rise above petty arguments. Although the Path and the Jedi see the Force very differently, they are still connected by a belief in it, so Vildar sees it as his duty to protect them. Scott has created such a selfless character in Vildar – this isn’t the first time he’s risked himself – and for all the ceremony of some of the other Jedi of this era, Vildar is closest to the Order’s core teachings.
In close second is Matty. This girl is proving again and again that she is ready to be Knighted! Alone on the streets around the almshouse she’s attempting to lift the rocks by herself, knowing that it’s currently out of her ability. Matty’s a true indomitable spirit. No matter how tough things get, she will keep giving her all. Throughout Scott’s writing in The High Republic, he gives these younger characters just as much agency and importance as the adults, with Matty being no exception.
Meanwhile everybody’s favourite scoundrel and ex-Guardian, Tey Sirrek, is rallying his former comrades. The Guardians have been a real surprise in this series because of how little they care. Compare this to Chirrut Îmwe and Baze Malbus in Rogue One, who gave everything to protect the galaxy. Yet it seems Tey manages to get through to them and this is where there’s a brilliant callback (or maybe that should be call forward?) to this film, as the Force users and believers join together to channel their energy into a crumbling Vildar. It’s definitely a moment where fans will want to cheer at the comic!
Anindito’s artwork is, as always, absolutely incredible. He really captures the sense of claustrophobia for the characters stuck under the rubble, from little crumbling rocks to having everyone squeezed together. The expressions on Vildar are also on point. His face is scrunched up in visible effort, teeth gritted, and the strain comes across in every panel. A highlight of The High Republic (2022) #6 though is when everyone comes together to chant “I am one with the Force and the Force is with me”, and each of the beautiful close-up portraits form a mosaic on one of the final pages.
It might be a small victory for the Jedi in The High Republic (2022) #6, yet the battle is far from over. Matty and Vildar are badly drained, while so many civilians are injured. As they seek sanctuary at the Enlightenment cantina, all the way back from the first issue, there is definitely a feeling of despondency to the air. How long will it be before enemies come knocking?
Availability;
Star Wars: The High Republic (2022) is an ongoing series published by Marvel Comics. This issue is available via The Marvel App, ComiXology and from all good comic book stores and retails at $3.99.
