Published: December 22, 2021
Rating: T
Writer: Daniel José Older
Penciler: David Wachter
Colourist: Giada Marchisio & Ian Herring
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Book Design: Carlos Lao
Cover Artist: David López
The synopsis;
COLD COMFORT!
A mysterious attack brings EMERICK and SIAN together at the Starlight to investigate connections to their case. Meanwhile, ARATHAB tries to ambush a Nihil ship with deadly results. Can Jedi Master Emerick and private eye Sian Holt uncover the clues to solve this case, or are they about to face their deadly demise at the hands of Nihil?
The review;
Sian Holt takes centre stage very literally in López’s direct cover. It’s a stunning evening jazz club where a spotlight illuminates Sian in her silver dress, while a starry-eyed Emerick gazes on. Considering where these two started, they’ve certainly grown closer. Sian is also the focal point of Wu’s simply elegant variant, that feels quite manga in style, with the silhouettes in the background cleverly being Sian’s orchestra. Finally, Parel’s variant is romance novel cover meets spy movie poster in a strikingly unique composition.
Jedi investigator Emerick Caphtor and private investigator Sian Holt are getting closer to discovering more about the Nihil’s deadly weapon. However, sensing that the jaws of the Republic are closing in on them, the villainous Nihil leader Marchion Ro is trying to uncover his turncoats and thwart the Jedi. With their mission becoming more challenging, the pair of detectives turn to some unlikely sources to try and gather more information.
Trail of Shadows #3 is an absolute rollercoaster of an issue as Older brings together plot elements from several areas of the High Republic, and the story jumps from one shocking moment to the next. There’s an adorable cameo of the Padawans from Older’s IDW The High Republic Adventures, young Jedi Knight Keeve Trennis makes an appearance, and there’s some links to The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott too. This issue really ramps up the action and adds so much to the mystery underpinning this entire mini-series.
Firstly, let’s address the elephant in the room. Emerick and Sian are working together nicely! The angst and tension from previous issues has transformed into a working respect. The duo are finally investigating as equals and listening to one another’s theories. When they return to the galactic Core, Sian immediately dashes back to her part-time job as a singer, and Emerick watches on entranced. Jedi are meant not to form attachments, but he definitely has growing feelings for Holt, which appear to be returned when she gives the Jedi a very warm embrace. Where that will end is anyone’s guess, but Older is continuing the Jedi scandals that Scott started in The Rising Storm (looking at you Elzar Mann).
Speaking of The Rising Storm, both Avar Kriss and Stellan Gios make an entrance in Trail of Shadows #3, causing Emerick to make a hilariously awkward swift exit. He claims there’s history (with heavy emphasis) between the two Jedi Masters, so it could be fans are going to get a love triangle between Elzar, Stellan and Avar at some point in the High Republic. Or one’s going to sacrifice themselves for the other – which is far more likely considering the heartbreak that’s already occurred in this era.
While there’s tension amidst the Jedi, the Nihil aren’t faring much better. Marchion Ro has become aware that someone is trying to sell his Jedi killing weapon and sends his most loyal Nihil to find out whom. This is the first time that he’s appeared in the comics and does Watcher deliver with the artwork. Marchion’s species still remains unnamed, but Watcher has done an incredible job adapting his description from the books into a dark warrior with pitch black eyes and pointed ears. He’s also got even less of a liking for shirts than Kylo Ren, as he gives orders totally shirtless for several panels.
If fans can distract themselves from the Nihil leader, the rest of the artwork is also amazing. The club where Sian performs feels like a much more luxurious cantina, yet still packed full of different alien species that are a geeks’ delight to try and identify. There’s a wonderful close-up on Emerick as he watches her perform, and the softness in his eyes looks so real. Another very real expression is as Emerick leads Sian away from a bickering Avar and Stellan, where the awkwardness of the situation is written all other their faces. The details on Starlight Beacon also tie-in perfectly with both the books and The High Republic series by Marvel, showing the meditation gardens, duelling arenas and a droid that looks suspiciously like Chopper from Rebels.
Trail of Shadows #3 is probably the best comic so far in this series, moving the characters around on the board and bringing new ones into play. There’s so much tying together, and Older has outdone himself in this issue. With only two more issues to go, he’s slowly beginning to bring things together in explosive fashion and that can only continue in Trail of Shadows #4.
Availability;
Star Wars: The High Republic – Trail of Shadows #3 was published December 22, 2021, by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via The Marvel App and from all good comic book stores.
