Review: Cavan Scott Delivers an Action-Packed Story in Marvel’s ‘The High Republic’ #1
Cavan Scott is back with issue #1 of The High Republic, Marvel’s titular comic run in this era. Phase III has been gearing up for its grand opening for a while now, and it’s finally come in full force. The return of this comic arc means the return of one Keeve Trennis. We followed Keeve on her journey through Phase I, and she is back in a new way. Now a Jedi Master, Keeve is navigating the current turmoil of the galaxy the best she can. She’s endured an incredible amount of loss, like many of the Jedi. I’m excited to see the culmination of her arc as a Jedi.
We’ve seen her trials as a Padawan to become a Jedi Knight, and now we will watch her traverse through the challenges that come with being a Jedi Master. Of course, we know one of “the Fallen” was a Jedi named Trennis. How this arc ultimately plays out will have me and other readers on the edge of our seats. Now, let’s get into this first issue.
Spoilers ahead…
The fall of Starlight Beacon is this era’s Order 66. Each time I see the image of the station in flames or read references to the Jedi lost in the calamity, it hits home. The first issue understandably brings us back to that fateful moment. On the page below, we see Starlight in flames, yes, but it’s the dialogue that hits you where it hurts. It delivers the final exchange between Sskeer and Keeve as he becomes one with the Force, and she makes her escape. I read this first page, and while it may sound corny, I did stop and reflect for a moment before jumping into the rest.
Keeve doesn’t know exactly how his death happened. However, the agonizing pain of the loss keeps her putting together the scene in her mind over and over. Each meditation is more of a slogfest of emotional turmoil than a time of peace and purpose. I mean, just look at the nightmare she is witnessing of Sskeer being torn apart by the dreaded nameless terrors.
The first look at Keeve is powerful. She looks almost regal in her meditation pose. Her hair is longer, and she’s presented as a more authoritative figure. Of course, this is because she is now Jedi Master Trennis. She is commanding the Gios, a Republic Longbeam on the edge of Republic space near the Occlusion Zone. I love the homage to Stellan. While the loss of Stellan certainly impacted Avar Kriss, Elzar Mann, and Vernestra Rwoh the greatest, it doesn’t stop the fact that Stellan meant a great deal to a vast amount of people. In many ways, he was the bridge between the Jedi and the Republic. I hope he continues to be honored in subtle ways like this.
Among others aboard her ship are Terec and Ceret. They have not quite been the same since the encounters with the Nameless and the Nihil. Once a perfectly in-sync pair, they are now slightly fractured, resulting in them becoming easily agitated with each other. I continue to suspect they are going to play a massive role in the eventual Jedi victory.
Keeve and her team receive word from Elzar on Coruscant that the Hutts are looking to solidify some of the footholds they have made on the edge of Republic Space. The Republic defenses have been gaining ground on the Hutts daily, but this time is different. The Nihil are sending ambassadors to the Hutt leadership in a particular sector in the hopes of allying. A Hutt-Nihil alliance would be devastating for the Republic, who already have their hands full. Side note: if you want a tear-jerking, emotionally filling short story involving Keeve pushing back against the Hutts, you should check out a story involving her in Tales of Light and Life.
Just check out this image below of the Nihil arriving to negotiate with the Hutt warlord. Here come the Nihil, smug and confident, as they revel in their newfound victory. That’s not what you notice first when you flip to this page. What you notice is the giant hulking Nameless, making its way off the ship. These creatures look so sinister. It’s unbelievable how terrifying they are. Truly, they are an amazing “villain” to combat the Jedi. I am so curious to see where the “Nameless problem” ends up.
Negotiations between the Nihil and the Hutts went about like you’d think. The Hutt warlord was too prideful and arrogant to admit to needing help from the pirates. On the other hand, the Nihil are too arrogant and full of themselves to placate the Hutt’s ego. The negotiations were short… as the Hutt bodyguard came swooping in with an electric vibroblade of sorts against the Nihil bodyguard. The two exchange some blows before the mysterious Hutt bodyguard prevails.
It’s important to note the Nihil bodyguard is none other than one of the “Children of the Storm.” This is a new group to Phase III. The Children of the Storm are Jedi hunters who bring force-sensitive beings to their leader within the Nihil: Minister Baron Boolan. (Editor’s note: you can learn more about these new additions in this week’s release of The Eye of Darkness.)
Before any killing blows could fall, the Republic arrives to divert their attention. Master Trennis sends all forces into battle to squelch the potential Nihil-Hutt alliance before it can start. The battle scenes were impressive in this comic. They were filled with several strange alien creatures being thrust into the battle, images of a space battle over the planet, and plenty of lightsaber action from Keeve and fellow Jedi and friend San.
The Jedi are fierce warriors when forced into battle, but the power of the Nameless would not be undone. We lost San in this comic—another Jedi taken down by the Nameless terror. Keeve could only watch in horror as her friend wilted away before her very eyes. It appeared that Keeve would be next for a moment. The Nameless began closing in, and the mysterious Child of the Storm lashing out against her made it seem she was next. Of course, we know Keeve won’t die. At least, not yet. (Fingers crossed, we never have to see this.)
At the last moment, Terec swoops down in their Jedi Vector and blasts the Nameless from the sky. It appeared, for a brief moment, that all would be ok.
Unfortunately, it wouldn’t be the end. The Child of the Storm somehow jumped onto Terec’s vector and ripped them from the sky. It appeared they had died in a fiery explosion. I hope, somehow, they survived, and we will get to see Terec again. If not… it was a tough start for Keeve and readers to begin this arc.
The final pages of the comic delivered the not-so-secret surprise. The “mysterious” Hutt bodyguard is none other than the former Tempest Runner herself, Lourna Dee. She was on the cover, so I expected the bodyguard to be her, but it was still a delightful reveal. Admittedly, I am not the biggest Lourna Dee fan, but she and Keeve have a history that will make for an ultra-compelling storyline moving forward.
I cannot wait to see where this arc leads us. It’s going to be a fantastic year and a half of Star Wars publishing, from the comics to the novels. Let’s all enjoy the ride.
Rating: 8/10
Finding ways to nonchalantly incorporate Star Wars quotes into 8th grade classroom, Tyler lives and breathes Star Wars. His morning tradition is sending the latest number in the countdown for different Star Wars projects and loves engaging in uplifting Star Wars dialogue. If you are passionate about Star Wars you can follow him on Twitter at TyBrad5.
