Review: ‘The High Republic’ #2 Kicks Things Up a Notch In a Thrilling Issue
Even though Phase III of The High Republic just started, it already feels like it’s going past 60 miles per hour. Each new addition to Phase III — whether it’s a book or comic — immediately kicks things up into high gear. Maybe it’s because the creators don’t have to ease audiences into the era and provide much exposition, but it certainly feels as though each story doesn’t waste any time getting into the action.
The High Republic issue #2 is no different. Our own Tyler Bradshaw wrote in his review of The High Republic #1 that it was an action-packed opening. However, The High Republic #2 is even more crazy, providing a good quantity of action, but also providing a good number of story twists.
Spoilers below…
Issue #2 begins with Keeve Trennis captured by Skarabda. Lourna Dee and her Hutt master are torturing Keeve, with Skarabda seeking revenge on the one who killed her sister. Skarabda thinks it’s Keeve who did it. But Keeve knows otherwise and attempts to tell Skarabda the truth.
If there’s one thing writer Cavan Scott is good at, it’s juggling multiple storylines at once. While Keeve is dealing with her situation, Terec and Ceret are also situated in an intense battle with the cartel. Mixed in is one of the Children of the Storm. He’s a Force-wielder who looks to manipulate a green plant-like tendril in combat. The action sequence that follows allows artist Jim Towe room to create awesome panels.
Even though the art and the action are great, I was more enthralled by the story twists. It’s revealed that Lourna Dee was the one who killed Skarabda’s sister. Skarabda’s mind-reading henchman looks into Keeve’s head and reveals the truth. With the truth revealed, Lourna Dee runs away attempting to kill Skarabda in the process. But Keeve saves Skarabda in time. Skarabda then sides with Keeve to capture Lourna and fight against the Nihil.
But it’s also hinted that Keeve’s master Sskeer might still be alive. The captured Child of the Storm suggests this to Terec. He states that a Jedi Trandoshan was the one who mangled his face and took out his eye. But that’s where the comic ends and readers will have to wait and see if this is true.
If The High Republic #1 slingshotted the series forwards, then issue #2 catapulted it even further. There were a lot of twists and turns and many emotionally packed reveals. If I had to nitpick and point out one issue I’d like to see fixed going forward, it’s that I’m not yet sold on the Child of the Storm as a major threat. But that could change in the next few issues. Overall, Cavan Scott and the team continue to deliver excellent stories with emotional gravitas, surprising twists, and stunning art that I’m excited for more.
Score: 9/10
Born and raised in Hawaii, Jay Goodearl runs the YouTube Gaming channel “Good Games, Dude” His channel aims to open up video games to beginners and immediate players and help them understand what makes games the art form that it is.
