Comic Review: The High Republic (Phase III) #2

After the revelations of The High Republic #1 (2023), the ball just keeps rolling with this next issue. Lourna Dee just won’t quit, and Scott writes her in such a way that shows how her desperation to prove herself may just be her downfall. And Lourna isn’t trying to prove herself to the Nihil. She wants to be better for herself, but she keeps making maladaptive choices. Rather than growing, she’s stagnating, and her frustration on the page makes sense. Although she’s one of the most compelling (and annoying) villains in the High Republic, she’s also a very broken person who’s struggling to heal.

Speaking of healing, Keeve is trying to channel her Master’s teachings into surviving Lourna and Skarabda the Hutt. Having been captured during their previous confrontation, she’s now in binders and trying to fight against one of Skarabda’s enforcers. This is a really interesting scene because the enforcer is trying to break into Keeve’s mind much like Kylo Ren in The Force Awakens. It’s not clear whether that’s because he’s a Force user or a quirk of his species. Either way, Keeve’s mind is strong, and she keeps resisting.

Although the Hutts are not friends with the Jedi, Skarabda has a particular grievance. Somehow Scott manages to tie The High Republic #2 (2023) all the way back to Phase I, and this is the brother of Myarga the Hutt. Remember her? She helped to kick some drengir roots. He’s desperate to find out what happened to his sister. And Lourna’s desperate for the truth not to come out.

Meanwhile the Republic Coalition are fighting off Skarabda’s forces joined with the Nihil. Towe’s art is absolutely incredible in these panels, capturing the manic chaos of this battle as smoke and fire obscures enemies. It’s very dynamic and the Republic’s uniforms are so different that it is clear which side is which. It’s also quite a progression for the Republic, who are clearly better fighters than they were before the war with the Nihil broke out. However, there’s one Nihil marauder who’s proving a challenge.

Terec is on the ground and engages this marauder, but he’s clearly different to Marchion’s other forces. This is a fighter who can challenge a Jedi and seems imbued with otherworldly powers – a so-called Child of the Storm. Yet this berserker speaks of a Jedi gone rogue in the Occlusion Zone, fighting mindlessly and without mercy. It’s a tantalising hint at what is to come, though knowing Scott this could be a red herring rather than what it currently appears. It could also really impact Keeve’s trauma healing in this final part of her character journey.

Scott’s clearly playing a long game with this part of Phase III. Although The High Republic #2 continues the story, it has a slower pace which suggests it’s setting up something far bigger. This is a dark time for the Republic and the Jedi Order, and the threat of the Nihil seems to only be growing. Who is this mysterious rogue Jedi? What are the secrets to getting through the Occlusion Zone? And what will Keeve do with the barest hint of hope? Next issue will see the young Jedi Master battle Lourna Dee once more!