Published: June 16, 2021
Writer: Daniel Jose Older
Artist: Harvey Tolibao
Colours: Rebecca Nalty
Letterer: Jake M. Wood
Cover Artist: Harvey Tolibao
The synopsis;
The Nihil have launched an attack on Burundang. The Republic sends Yoda and his Padawan learners, along with other Republic and Jedi ships, to try to stop them from escaping. Zeen and Lula pursue Krix, hoping for a final confrontation between the two friends.
The review;
High Republic Adventures. Daniel Jose Older has done an incredible job of raising the expectation of each and every issue so far, not an easy task when there have already been four issues so far. The level of depth that this tale takes us is simply astounding, with Older continually harkening back to the foundations of Star Wars. This is not to say it is a repeat, far from it; it takes what we already know and changes it, providing us with something familiar yet also unique. This is backed up by another master of detail, Harvey Tolibao, who adds so much to Older’s story. To say that I have been looking forward to this issue would be an understatement, so let’s see what this duo has in store for us this month…
This is the concluding issue to the first story arc, and it ends as it started, by providing us a tale of two halves. While the very end might revert back to comparing the two main characters, Zeen and Krix, the main body of the issue has a very different focus. For me, this was a comparison of young versus old, of experience versus ignorance. Older shows us this in many ways throughout the issue. Krix, who has already made a mistake, is not ready to admit that he was wrong. Whether this is through stubbornness or not yet realising is still up in the air. But because of this, he is doomed to repeat the same mistake again and again, learning nothing. Older then presents us with Elder Tromak, who like Krix, made a mistake by not trusting the Jedi. Yet it is here that Tromak’s years allow him to realise when he has been beaten, when he has done something wrong. Rather than repeat that mistake, he is able to ask for help. These two are a good example to younger readers (and perhaps some older ones) that you are never too old to make a mistake; it’s what we do next that is most important.
This isn’t the only comparison Older gives us, we see the same with Zeen. This is less to do with age, and more with experience. In this issue we see the anger that is boiling in Zeen, the frustration at Krix who doesn’t choose the right path. My comparison of her to Luke last issue seems founded here. She believes she can bring Krix back, like Luke thought he could bring back Vader. Yet, for Zeen this is unfortunately not true. Her emotions get the better of her, yet it is Lula who comes to her rescue. Much like the Krix/Tromak comparison, Lula has more experience than Zeen, has had training that makes her older in a lot of ways to Zeen. It is Lula who shows that although still a padawan, she has a lot of wisdom for her age. This reinforces the message of young and old, before Older utilises it to bring it full circle, back to Zeen and Krix. These two have started at the same place and gone in very different directions. But Zeen, due to her environment, her openness for new things, has blossomed with the Jedi and grown as a character. She is a better person than when she started this series. Krix on the other hand, who has been placed in an environment of fear and mistrust, has not. He is still repeating the same mistakes he first did. Older again has another important message for younger readers. It is this sort of depth that really marks Older’s writing. On the surface, the issue is a fantastic Star Wars tale, but delve just a little and there are messages for those who want more.
Before I go much further let me take some time to comment on Tolibao’s work. I will say that I did miss the data file this issue, but that it is more than made up for by the battles in this issue. This is where Tolibao thrives: action-packed, ferocious, and full to the brim of character battles. As I mentioned at the start, the level of detail Tolibao brings to his panels is incredible and in the battle scenes in particular, he really goes to task on showing just how many of the enemy there are. Not that I want our heroes in danger, but, I really hope we get to see more battles soon!
Last review, I said that I liked that Older had a grip on reality, that certain situations, like throwing padawans into battle, were not to be done by the masters. The same is true again. The padawans, for all their might, still are just padawans, needing help from their masters. Their blooming optimism is wonderful to read. They know they have limitations, but they don’t let that stop them from doing what is right. In this case, helping the Junk Mavens.
The real interesting part was seeing the interactions between Yoda and Tromak. Older is clearly setting the groundwork for what is to come. Will this be flashbacks? Will the next part of the story focus purely on Yoda? Like any good series, Older leaves us with a lot of questions that (I hope) Older will answer with the next story arc. With that said, Older does leave us with a very clear indication of how the characters have changed (or not as the case maybe) and what implications this might have in the next arc. I won’t say too much yet as I would hate to spoil anything for readers.
This issue does what it always promised, an explosive conclusion to the first arc with a bookend to match that found int he first issue. This entire storyline has been one of comparisons and it has stayed true to that throughout. It has been remarkably well done by Older and Tolibao, who through writing and artwork have reinforced this in such a beautiful way again and again. The depths that this issue, and the previous ones, go to is what makes me keep coming back again and again to this series; it’s my favourite! This feels so much like Star Wars without seemingly trying hard. I’m sure Older may say otherwise on the effort, but his talent as a Star Wars writer, for understanding what makes it unique and special, can continually be seen here. He uses the foundations set by the original trilogy and manipulates them in a new and exciting way each and every issue. Coming on the heels of Cavan Scott’s High Republic, Charles Soule’s Light of the Jedi and Claudia Gray’s Into the Dark, you might think that Older would feel a little intimidated. But my goodness, does Older make this series his own and carve out an incredible story in the High Republic setting. If the Adventures title puts you off (and I’ve been saying for years, you’ll not find better Star Wars than in those issues) then you are doing yourself a disservice. This is Star Wars in its purest form and it’s a series that every fan should be reading. I can’t wait to see where Older goes next, for as many answers he gives, the more questions he asks…
Availability;
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures is an ongoing series available from IDW Publishing. This issue is available from all good comic bookstores in the USA and from Forbidden Planet in the UK. This issue retails at $3.99.
