Review: Keeve Trennis’ Fears Are Realized in ‘The High Republic’ #4
Cavan Scott brought his “A” game for issue #4 in Marvel’s The High Republic. I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of this one for what seems like months. Yes, I know it’s just been a few weeks, but the way the third left off left me craving the next edition of the series.
If you recall, issue three launched our group into the Occlusion Zone. After retaking the Republic flagship, the Ataraxia, Jedi Master Keeve Trennis leads her group straight into the Nihil Occlusion Zone despite orders to return to Coruscant. Alongside her are Jedi Terec and Ceret who share her feelings of going into Nihil space. They have heard a tale of Keeve’s former master, Sskeer, being alive and… not well. Along for the ride, is none other than former Nihil Tempest Runner, Lourna Dee.
The fourth issue doesn’t waste any time in getting the action going. Let’s dive into it.
Spoilers ahead…
Like many moments prior, we get a brief flashback spread on Keeve’s time with Sskeer. She refers to him as her hero. Of course, it’s not like we didn’t know that already, but seeing her floating around in space and remembering a time with her former master was touching nonetheless.
Once we were vaulted back into the present we see that it’s anything but a harmonious time. The pesky Nihil scav droids are attempting to tear their ship apart while Keeve and Terec are in space suits doing their best to deter the little buggers. Does anyone else just absolutely love it when Jedi are fighting in space? Whether it be here with Keeve Trennis, Plo Koon in The Clone Wars, or Ahsoka Tano in her own series, something is awe-inspiring watching the Jedi work their magic in the cold vastness of space.
Thankfully, Terec was able to divert the scav droids away in time before they tore through the ship’s hull and neutralized the vessel. Now, there is just the problem of figuring out which planet in the dozen to choose from inside Nihil space that Sskeer could be on. Ceret believes they have the answer. They attempt to use the Force to bend Lourna Dee to their will. They want her to access the Nihil comm system and see if there is any word of a Trandoshan Jedi in the area. This was reminiscent of some of Anakin’s more intense interrogation or persuasion tactics in The Clone Wars. Keeve steps in and tackles Ceret before the hostilities can escalate any further.
We have known for some time that Ceret and Teret aren’t doing well. Their connection has not been severed, but the bonded twins who share a mind have not been in sync since their brush with the Nameless and bitter taste of death. Lourna even tells Keeve that she pities her because she still believes the Jedi are the bright moral compass of the galaxy, despite Keeve having to save Lourna from the angry Jedi multiple times now.
Ultimately, the Jedi locate an old distress call claiming they were under attack from a Trandoshan with a lightsaber. Seems like the right place to begin yes? Upon arrival, I was introduced to a species I forgot existed. Do you all remember what Ugors are? They are shapeshifting blobs? Right? Well, that is what Lourna Dee referred to Archivist OrbaLin as. Yes, they have history. Who doesn’t Lourna Dee have a history with at this point? It was quite shocking. Our group was walking through the woods and the next thing Keeve was fighting a green blob with a lightsaber that looked straight out of Ghostbusters. But no, it was Archivist OrbaLin. The best part was it appears that OrbaLin only recognized Keeve because of the foul language she was using when they started sparring. I love it when Jedi curse. Makes me feel like I can relate with them just a bit.
She takes us to her camp, where we find out Master Goonral has survived but is greatly wounded. When hearing his story, we find out it was not Nihil Raiders that caused his injuries, but Sskeer. Yes, he’s alive, but Goonral warns Keeve that he is not the Master he used to be. He’s unstable, enraged, and beyond reach.
Everyone decided it was best to split up. Keeve and Lourna would go search for Sskeer, and the rest of the crew would get the Jedi survivors back to the ship. They must be cautious because Nihil Jedi hunters and their Nameless creatures are everywhere. When OrbaLin’s group reaches the ship, they quickly discover they are not alone. The Ataraxia has been sabotaged. We don’t get a glimpse at who caused the damage, but the easy guess is the Children of the Storm hunting for Jedi. The last look of the group is of OrbaLin igniting her lightsaber in preparation for the conflict to come. And I’m sorry. I know this was a serious moment in the comic, but I cannot help but laugh to myself every time I see her little blob extend a slime blob hand and ignite a saber. It’s so weird, goofy, and incredibly Star Wars. I can’t help but chuckle in glee.
The last few pages are with Keeve and Lourna. They find who they are looking for, and it’s not a pretty sight. Sskeer, in all of his shirtless, buffed-out Trandoshan glory, is standing amid flames with his back turned to his former Padawan. Based on the look from Keeve, I can only guess the amount of anger and venom radiating from her former Master is enough to make her eyes widen in fear. This was a wild way to end the issue. I cannot wait to see what happens next.
Below are looks at the next couple of issues in the series. Nothing but Keeve Trennis with her lightsaber ignited, seen through the reflection in Sskeer’s eye. Issue #5 is going to be massive. How will Sskeer’s story end? I sure hope it’s a redemption arc from whatever horrible path he is on right now. Also, is that an old Tey Sirrek on the issue #6 cover? Am I crazy? He’d have to be so super old at this point, but anything is possible. It would make sense. For those that don’t remember, Tey Sirrek was a former Guardian of the Whill in Phase II of The High Republic comic run. I wonder how he could tie into all of this.
(Editor’s note: Cavan Scott took to his now inactive Twitter back in December to clarify that issue #6 will feature a return to The High Republic Phase II storytelling so an old Tey Sirrek is unlikely, but you never know as everything is connected.)
Rating: 9/10
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.
