Published: March 29, 2006
Writer: John Jackson-Miller
Artist: Brian Ching
Colourist: Michael Atiyeh
Letterer: Michael Heisler
Cover Artist: Travis Charest
The synopsis;
Zayne Carrick never expected to go far in the Jedi Order. A Padawan of modest skill, the most he ever hoped for was to attain the rank of Jedi Knight and to serve the galaxy in his own humble way. Mysterious is the will of the Force, however, and extraordinary circumstances have made Zayne a fugitive, isolated and on the run from the very Order he once swore to uphold. Now, Zayne and his unlikely ally – a criminal entrepreneur called “the Gryph” – have been forced into the planet Taris’ dangerous Undercity, where the only thing more dangerous than the Jedi pursuing them are the desperate cut-throats waiting to greet them!
The review;
On the run from the treacherous Jedi Masters who are hunting him relentlessly, former Padawan Zayne Carrick is determined to flee off world from the planet Taris. Suddenly, being not-quite-friends with con-artist Gryph has its uses, as he uses his underworld contacts to leave a false-trail to buy them some much needed time to escape. At the edge of the city they enlist the begrudging help of the mysterious “Camper” – but the plan has an unexpected outcome.
After the high-octane chases of the previous two comics, Knights of the Old Republic #3 slows down the pace of the story. This is a much-needed breather for readers as it gives Jackson-Miller the time to flesh out both Zayne and Gryph’s characters some more. What this issue really highlights is that Gryph is a true scoundrel. Red-herrings, false stories, shady deals, and even shadier associates make for a very entertaining read! Hopefully there will be some smooth-talking scoundrels in the upcoming High Republic, because it’s not Star Wars without a few.
To get the help of these criminals, Gryph leads Zayne to the lower levels of Taris city and this is very similar to the infamous Level 1313 on Coruscant. Cheng’s artwork shows dilapidated buildings in various states of disrepair, junkyard scavengers and disreputable-looking aliens behind hoods or cloaks, all enhanced by Atiyeh’s muted colour-palette in which only the characters themselves have any bright colours. The ominous feel of the place is practically palpable, and certain elements may have even inspired the designers for The Clone Wars when Ahsoka seeks out sanctuary on Level 1313 during “To Catch a Jedi” from Season 5.
One of Yoda’s famous teachings in The Empire Strikes Back is that “a Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defence, never for attack”. Yet the Jedi Masters in Knights of the Old Republic #3 do not abide by this part of the Jedi Code. In the Undercity they are ruthlessly attacking the residents in their search for Zayne, and the double-spread by Cheng depicting this is incredible. Pike-wielding Gamorreans and horrifying rakghouls engage the Jedi Masters in a melee of limbs and lightsabers. The way Jackson-Miller writes them is extremely clever because these treacherous Jedi aren’t dark-siders, yet they toe-the-line so closely. How much further can they fall?
Another smaller aspect of the Jedi Order also comes to the forefront during this comic – Zayne’s Padawan braid. Introduced in the Prequels, these braids (or beads for species without hair) are a sacred part of a Padawan’s identity, cut off by their master’s lightsaber when they become a Jedi Knight. So, when Gryph commands Zayne to simply cut his off because it’s too easily identifiable, it clearly costs the young Jedi a lot. He’s desperate to cling to any hope that if he can clear his name then he can return to the Jedi Order, but this is another step away from that dream. Maybe fans will finally get a true Knighting ceremony in the High Republic? Keeve Trennis is a new character who will only have recently been Knighted, so maybe she could have a Knighthood ceremony scene?
Although Zayne and Gryph are the main characters, Jackson-Miller introduces a fantastically feisty new one – Janael. She’s only in Knights of the Old Republic #3 briefly but she certainly leaves her mark, brandishing a neural stinger that causes anyone on the receiving end to lose sensation in their limbs. If that sounds familiar it’s because Rose Tico uses a similar sort of weapon on Finn in The Last Jedi.
Knights of the Old Republic #3 ends on a cliffhanger that somehow manages to be quite hilarious. When were cliffhangers funny? Well, this one is, and you almost expect one of the characters to use Han’s famous line “it’s not my fault”. How will Zayne and Gryph get out of this new sticky situation? Or will they be captured at the final hurdle when they were so close to flying away into the stars?
Availability;
The original Dark Horse Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic series ran from 2006 to 2010, encompassing 50 issues. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic #3 is currently available in digital format from the Marvel Online Comic Store, via the Marvel App, comiXology or by subscribing to Marvel Unlimited. A physical copy can be found in one of the many trade paperback releases from Marvel. Please check with Amazon UK and US or your local comic bookstore for availability.
