‘Star Wars: The High Republic’ Releases New Details for the Next Wave of Stories
Star Wars: The High Republic is the brand-new publishing campaign coming from Lucasfilm, that telling an interconnected story between books, comics, and even short stories, taking place around 200 years before the events of The Phantom Menace. The first wave of books started coming out earlier this year, on January 5. Charles Soule published his novel Light of the Jedi, and Justina Ireland her book A Test of Courage. The following month, Claudia Gray delighted us all with Into the Dark, and that has been it on the book front since then.
As far as comics go, there are currently two series running. Marvel has been publishing a new issue of The High Republic every month since January (check out our review for the latest issue, Star Wars: The High Republic #4, here), while IDW started with their series The High Republic Adventures in February (here is our review for issue #3, released earlier this month). Additionally, the magazine Star Wars Insider published short stories set in The High Republic in their last three issues. The first two were written by Charles Soule (issues #199 and #200), while Cavan Scott wrote the following one (issue #201)
Right before the launch of The High Republic, Lucasfilm did an online event to promote the new releases, where all five writers talked about their experiences, as well as their upcoming projects. You can find our recap of that live stream here. In that event, The High Republic was announced to be having three Phases — we are currently in Phase I, called Light of the Jedi, which will run all through 2021, and until an unspecified date of 2022. Apparently, the book and comics releases will come in waves inside each Phase – what we described above were the releases from Wave I.
Today, StarWars.com offered new exclusive details from Wave II of Phase I of The High Republic. All of the books that the site gave new details to had been announced, either back in January’s event or at some point after that, but up until today we only had their titles and the covers. Additionally, they have revealed the covers of upcoming issues for both series currently running. Let’s take a look.
- The High Republic #6, written by Cavan Scott, with pencils by Georges Jeanty (cover by Phil Noto). This comic issue will kick off Wave II of Phase I, released on June 2, 2021. Titled Heart of the Drengir, it will be the first of a new story arc. Here’s the crawl:
The REPUBLIC FRONTIER in crisis! The JEDI of STARLIGHT BEACON join forces with their most feared enemy to face the terror of the unstoppable DRENGIR horde.
AVAR KRISS and her new allies fight nightmarish creatures on a harsh lava world. Can young Jedi KEEVE TRENNIS save her former master from the darkness?
Also who or what is the GREAT PROGENITOR?!
- The High Republic #6, written by Cavan Scott, with pencils by Georges Jeanty (cover by Phil Noto). This comic issue will kick off Wave II of Phase I, released on June 2, 2021. Titled Heart of the Drengir, it will be the first of a new story arc. Here’s the crawl:
- Hidden Danger, Part I, by Justina Ireland, will be the brand-new short story published by Star Wars Insider, in their upcoming #203 issue (out on June 8, 2021). Here’s the synopsis:
In preparation for the Republic Fair on Valo, the Agrarian and Agricultural Alliance is having their annual seed bank conference on Starlight Beacon. This is a chance for the agricultural experts from all over the galaxy to come together to discuss experimental farming techniques and sustainability. Administrator Velko Jahen and Starlight Beacon’s Head of Security Ghal Tarpfen have been stressed nearly to the breaking point with ensuring the safety of the Starlight while also making certain that the conference goes off without a hitch. And the pair will be pushed to the limit when the Drengir slither onto the scene…
- Hidden Danger, Part I, by Justina Ireland, will be the brand-new short story published by Star Wars Insider, in their upcoming #203 issue (out on June 8, 2021). Here’s the synopsis:
- The Rising Storm, by Cavan Scott. This will be the first book from Wave II, coming out on June 29, 2021. Joseph Meehan did the cover. It will be an adult novel coming from Del Rey, and here is its official synopsis:
In the wake of the Great Hyperspace Disaster and the heroism of the Jedi, the Republic continues to grow, bringing more worlds together under a single unified banner. Led by Chancellor Lina Soh, the spirit of unity extends throughout the galaxy, with the Jedi and newly established Starlight Beacon station at the vanguard.
In celebration, the chancellor plans “The Republic Fair,” a showcase of the possibility and peace of the expanding Republic—a precept the Jedi hope to foster. Stellan Gios, Bell Zettifar, Elzar Mann, and others join the event as ambassadors of harmony. But as the eyes of the galaxy turn toward the Fair, so too does the fury of the Nihil. Their leader, Marchion Ro, is intent on destroying this spirit of unity. His storm descends on the pageantry and celebration, sowing chaos and exacting revenge.
As the Jedi struggle to curb the carnage of the rampaging Nihil, they come face to face with the true fear their enemy plans to unleash across the galaxy. The kind of fear that even the Force cannot shield them from.
- The Rising Storm, by Cavan Scott. This will be the first book from Wave II, coming out on June 29, 2021. Joseph Meehan did the cover. It will be an adult novel coming from Del Rey, and here is its official synopsis:
- Race to Crashpoint Tower, by Daniel José Older. Coming out on the same day as The Rising Storm (in a similar fashion than A Test of Courage and Light of the Jedi), this Middle-grade novel coming from Lucasfilm Press, with cover by Petur Antonsson, has the following synopsis:
The Republic Fair is coming! Visitors from all over the galaxy are traveling to the planet Valo for a massive, awe-inspiring festival celebrating the Republic. While his fellow Valons prepare for the fair, Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram is hiding out in his favorite place: a dingy garage filled with mechanical parts and tools. But when a security alarm goes off on the nearby hilltop nicknamed Crashpoint Peak, he ventures out with his trusty droid V-18 to investigate. There he discovers that someone has knocked out Valo’s communications tower—a frightening sign that Valo, and the Republic Fair, are in danger. Sure enough, as Ram races to warn the Jedi, the dreaded Nihil unleash a surprise attack! It’s up to Ram to face down the enemy at Crashpoint Tower and send a call for help to the Republic. Luckily, he’s about to get some assistance from unexpected new friends…
- Race to Crashpoint Tower, by Daniel José Older. Coming out on the same day as The Rising Storm (in a similar fashion than A Test of Courage and Light of the Jedi), this Middle-grade novel coming from Lucasfilm Press, with cover by Petur Antonsson, has the following synopsis:
- The High Republic Adventures #6, written by Daniel José Older (artist not announced), covers by Harvey Tolibao (A), Ilias Kyriazis (RI). It will be out on July 7, 2021, and will kick off a new story arc as well. Here’s a short synopsis:
As the galaxy prepares for the Republic Fair, Qort and Farzala leave their Padawan friends to join Leox Gyasi and the crew of the Vessel on a secret mission for the Jedi. What could possibly go wrong? As it turns out: literally everything.
- The High Republic Adventures #6, written by Daniel José Older (artist not announced), covers by Harvey Tolibao (A), Ilias Kyriazis (RI). It will be out on July 7, 2021, and will kick off a new story arc as well. Here’s a short synopsis:
- Out of the Shadows, by Justina Ireland. Disney Publishing’s art team did the cover for this young adult novel, coming out next, on July 22, 2021. Here’s the synopsis:
Sylvestri Yarrow is on a streak of bad luck with no end of sight. She’s been doing her best to keep the family cargo business going after her mom’s death, but between mounting debt and increasing attacks by the Nihil on unsuspecting ships, Syl is in danger of losing all she has left of her mother. She heads to the galactic capital of Coruscant for help, but gets sidetracked when she’s drawn into a squabble between two of the Republic’s most powerful families over a patch of space on the frontier. Tangled up in familial politics is the last place Syl wants to be, but the promise of a big payoff is enough to keep her interested…
Meanwhile, Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh has been summoned to Coruscant, but with no idea of why or by whom. She and her Padawan Imri Cantaros arrive at the capital along with Jedi Master Cohmac Vitus and his Padawan, Reath Silas—and are asked to assist with the property dispute on the frontier. But why? What is so important about an empty patch of space? The answer will lead Vernestra to a new understanding of her abilities, and take Syl back to the past…and to truths that will finally come out of the shadows.
- Out of the Shadows, by Justina Ireland. Disney Publishing’s art team did the cover for this young adult novel, coming out next, on July 22, 2021. Here’s the synopsis:
- Tempest Runner, by Cavan Scott. The cover for this one is not done yet, and no artist has been announced. It will be an audio original novel coming from Del Rey. While this had been announced, we learned today that it will have an August 31, 2021, release date. Here’s the synopsis:
As one of Marchion Ro’s most trusted allies (well, as far as Marchion trusts anyone) Lourna Dee has carved out a place for herself as a leader among the Nihil. But it’s lonely at the top, and a Tempest Runner like Lourna is always watching her back for threats—whether those threats are from the Jedi or her fellow Nihil.
- Tempest Runner, by Cavan Scott. The cover for this one is not done yet, and no artist has been announced. It will be an audio original novel coming from Del Rey. While this had been announced, we learned today that it will have an August 31, 2021, release date. Here’s the synopsis:
- The Edge of Balance, by Justina Ireland and Shima Shinya. This will be the first manga set in The High Republic, and while it had been announced in January (as well as its artist, Mizuki Sakakibara), we now know the release date — September 7, 2021. Back in January, Ireland described it as authentically Star Wars and authentically manga. This is the synopsis:
In the aftermath of the Great Hyperspace Disaster, young Jedi Knight Lily Tora-Asi is assigned to help displaced civilians relocate to Banchii, a planet in the Inugg system far in the Outer Rim. While balancing the arrival of incoming settlers and teaching the Padawans on their Temple outpost, Lily must also confront an attack by the insidious Drengir and, after the events of the Republic Fair, deal with the growing threat of the Nihil. But the dangers to Lily and her Padawans are much closer than she thinks….
- The Edge of Balance, by Justina Ireland and Shima Shinya. This will be the first manga set in The High Republic, and while it had been announced in January (as well as its artist, Mizuki Sakakibara), we now know the release date — September 7, 2021. Back in January, Ireland described it as authentically Star Wars and authentically manga. This is the synopsis:
- Showdown at the Fair, by George Mann, with art by Petur Antonsson and the Disney Publishing art team. The last item of Wave II will be an 8×8 storybook coming from Lucasfilm Press, that will be released on October 8, 2021. Here’s a quick synopsis:
The Republic Fair has come to the planet Valo, and everyone is celebrating. Until the dreaded Nihil launch a surprise attack and Burryaga the Wookiee and the other Jedi of the High Republic must save the day!
Miguel Fernández is a Spanish student that has movies as his second passion in life. His favorite movie of all time is The Lord of the Rings, but he is also a huge Star Wars fan. However, fantasy movies are not his only cup of tea, as movies from Scorsese, Fincher, Kubrick or Hitchcock have been an obsession for him since he started to understand the language of filmmaking. He is that guy who will watch a black and white movie, just because it is in black and white.
