Comics Review: The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #4 (of 4)

Standing proud in front of the Nihil symbol, Marchion Ro is victorious in Phil Noto’s direct cover as he grips a stolen lightsaber. It’s a perfect cover for this story, capturing the arrogance of the Nihil leader after defeating the Jedi during the attack on Starlight. Okazaki’s variant also focusses on Marchion in a creepy monochrome composition that highlights the glowing red eye of his mask. Possibly the most dramatic is Rahzzah’s variant, which has Marchion ready to duel and facing off against an unseen enemy, all framed in a dramatic stormy sky.

For light and life! Phase III is continuing with Shadows of Starlight written by Charles Soule, but where are we now in the timeline? While Phase II saw a trip back in time to events 150 years prior to the fall of Starlight Beacon, this era of the High Republic is back in the current era as the Jedi are trying to deal with the Nihil nearly a year after their tragic loss at Starlight. It’s a time of uncertainty and fear as millions find themselves trapped in the Occlusion Zone.

With that little recap over, let’s hit the hyperdrive…

Starlight Beacon lies in pieces. Dozens of Jedi are dead. And the Nihil celebrate their victory behind the Stormwall. Yet Marchion Ro now faces a dilemma – the time for destruction is over and now he must govern the countless planets of the Occlusion Zone. Can an Evereni even know anything beyond ruin and deceit? As the Nihil hunt down any Jedi left stranded within the Occlusion Zone, Marchion lets Ghirra Starros start to transform his Tempests into a government.

While Shadows of Starlight has focussed on the repercussions for the Jedi after the Great Disaster, this issue is all about Marchion Ro. Now that he has claimed his victory, what ie he going to do with it? From the mini-series Eye of the Storm, also by Charles Soule, we’ve seen that Evereni (Marchion’s species) only know a life of destruction, lies, and betrayal. Marchion has plotted his revenge for years, but it’s not clear if he planned anything beyond that. Shadows of Starlight #4 shows that he neither opposes or approves of Ghirra’s proposals, suggesting that Marchion’s either still plotting or he truly has no idea what he now wants.

Marchion lets the Nihil marauders party for weeks, happy to stagnate on his throne and bask in his victory. Without a clear purpose it’s as if Marchion is almost lost. He’s uninterested in joining the celebrations and yet can’t seem to order anything else either. It’s a change from the determined Eye we’ve seen previously.

It’s Ghirra who tries to call Marchion into action, treading a thin line of pushing him without drawing his ire. After betraying the Republic, Ghirra seems to happily be using her newfound power at Marchion’s side to try and take firm control of the Occlusion Zone. Rather than just being a senator, she promotes herself into Minister of Information. A suitably grandiose yet vague title. Other Tempests also get to become leaders in this new Nihil government, with some familiar faces from Phase II reappearing.

Yet even as Ghirra seems to take power for herself and starts to make the Occlusion Zone into a governable state, Marchion is still disinterested. He doesn’t want the responsibility that comes with his leadership. His relationship with Ghirra is this weird push and pull that Soule writes so well. It’s as if Ghirra has unrequited feelings for Marchion, but it could just be she’s acting that way to hold onto her position. As an Evereni it’s probably impossible for Marchion to feel any emotion related to caring, with Messina and Morales’ artwork brilliantly conveying his repulsion anytime Ghirra gets close.

It’s been a long while since Marchion has been in The High Republic comics, so it’s great to have so many panels featuring the enigmatic Eye. Throughout the partying he’s always aloof, not even bothering to change his clothes as the weeks go on. In contrast, as soon as Marchion puts his helmet on, there’s an electrifying sense that he’s going to wreak havoc, and this nuanced balance in the art is just fascinating. While Soule writes Marchion as a complex character, the art only adds to his layers. 

There’s also the absolutely essential shirtless Marchion panel right at the finale. Since Daniel José Older made the Eye of the Storm take an entire holo-conversation only half clothed, almost all of the other High Republic authors have leaned into it as part of his character. Apparently contemplating power and legacy doesn’t require being fully dressed.

Shadows of Starlight #4 is a fantastically foreboding finale to this mini-series that ties in so well with other events in this final phase for the High Republic. Each issue has focused on the struggles of key characters that are going to be so important for the story going forward. And Marchion Ro fans can’t miss this intense introspection of the Nihil leader’s newfound authority. Charles Soule, David Messina, Jethro Morales, Mattia Iacono, VC’s Travis Lanham, Phil Noto, and everyone else who has worked so hard on this series deserve all the credit for capturing the incredible emotions surrounding the months after Starlight Beacon’s disastrous fall.

Availability;