Published: January 26, 2022
Rating: T
Writer: Daniel José Older
Artist: David Wachter
Colourist: Giada Marchisio
Letterer: VC’s Joe Sabino
Book Design: Carlos Lao
Cover Artist: David López
The synopsis;
CHAPTER IV: WHATEVER IT TAKES
TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO SOLVE THE GREATEST MYSTERY OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE JEDI! As pressure mounts, EMERICK and SIAN follow a desperate lead to close in on their suspect! A sentimental mistake may tip the balance, but a creeping horror lurks in the shadows… Can the investigators uncover the NIHIL’S secret weapon before it’s used to bring down THE REPUBLIC?
The review;
A very serene looking Emerick Caphtor is meditating on López’s direct cover, with the Jedi investigator bathed in a warm yellow light. Rising behind him though is the terrifying form of Arathab, hinting at the sneak attack that comes in this issue. The monster also appears on Ferry’s colourful variant, easily deflecting a stun blast, while Arathab’s gruesome monochromatic portrait takes Giangiordano’s variant in a classic horror-film direction.
Investigators Sian Holt and Emerick Caphtor have been getting ever closer to finding the Nihil’s deadly Jedi-killing weapon. While the Nihil leaders are attempting to protect it, unbeknownst to them is a traitor hiding in plain sight who wishes to profit from the weapon’s potential. As the Nihil traitor tries to broker a deal in space, the Republic finally close in after an unexpected tip-off. Yet Emerick is unable to make an arrest as he’s felled by the very weapon, he’s been searching for.
Trail of Shadows #4 is all about unexpected people in unexpected places. While Older has explained the who and the what of this mystery in previous issues, motive has been eluding fans. Until now. What makes the Chadra-Fan traitor’s motive so powerful is that it’s personal. It’s not revenge, or even power. It’s about family and the bane of all graduates – college fees. This is a brilliant and surprising concept as it’s very relatable, and while the Chadra-Fan isn’t doing the right thing, readers will still feel sorry for him. He’s a simple bat trying to make his way in the universe.
That’s not the end of the Chadra-Fans though. Older delivers all the cute, batty goodness in this issue. While Chadra-Fans may have begun as a background alien in the cantina scene from A New Hope, they’ve firmly become a fan favourite. Trail of Shadows #4 takes it to the next level with baby Chadra-Fans! Little baby bats with adorable scrunched up noses and ears too big for their faces. Come for the plot, stay for the Chadra-Fans!
In reality, the plot of this issue is all about the Chadra-Fans (sorry, Emerick and Sian), as an old Beesar plays brave informant for Emerick. Star Wars at the moment seems to be all about celebrating more mature characters, and while Beesar may be old, she’s got guts. Sneaking aboard a Nihil ship containing their precious weapon, Beesar alerts Emerick, and stays on the ship with an essential tracking beacon. If fans liked spunky Kriki from Delilah S. Dawson’s Black Spire, then they will love Beesar, who proves that size nor age matter when it comes to doing good.
While little Beesar is off being brave, where is Emerick? Sprawled on Sian’s couch in her apartment, listening to the private investigator play the piano. How these two aren’t tipping off the Jedi Council is anyone’s guess, but considering the duo started as hot rivals, they’ve turned into very close friends. If Older takes it further than friendship will be very interesting to see, because the Jedi of the High Republic definitely seem to give into their feelings. Not that anyone is looking at Elzar Mann…
Wachter’s art for Trail of Shadows #4 is such a beautiful mix, with everything from cosy homes to a blazing dogfight. However, his artwork of the Chadra-Fans is just incredible. He puts so much expression onto their batty faces, whether by tilting the ears or drawing the noses in frowns. Placing human expressions onto an anthropomorphic character is not easy, yet Wachter does it perfectly. Once fans have absorbed all that Chadra-Fan goodness, then the dogfight double-spread is another standout. As the High Republic ships engage the Nihil, there’s everything from laser bolts to little headshots of each pilot, with the speech bubbles added by Sabino adding to the authenticity and sense of chaos.
Trail of Shadows #4 is a must read for Chadra-Fan fans! And everyone else who’s loving this mystery series. Older is going to go down in the Star Wars history books for giving fans so much of the batty aliens in one comic. With the finale tying into The Fallen Star by Claudia Gray, along with the main High Republic comic line by Cavan Scott, the final issue is going to be climactic to say the least.
Availability;
Star Wars: The High Republic – Trail of Shadows #4 was published January 26, 2022 by Marvel Comics. This issue and retails at $3.99 is available via The Marvel App and from all good comic book stores.
