‘The High Republic Adventures’ #4 Review: Did Someone Order a Prison Riot?
In my past reviews for The High Republic Adventures, I noticed that I’ve often described the recent issues as “messy” or “uneven”. What I mean by that is the art could be fantastic but the writing may be a bit off. Or vice versa, the writing could be amazing but it’s the art that falters. I’m starting to notice a pattern.
In fact, in an early draft of this review, the word I often used to describe The High Republic Adventures issue #4 was “messy.” It’s still fun to read and to look at. However, I think this issue was less cohesive than I’d like it to have been.
In issue #3, it was revealed that many of Lula and Zeen’s friends were still alive. They were being held captive on a Nihil prison ship. Onboard the prison ship is the evil “mad scientist”-like individual Niv Drendow. Lula, Zeen, and a group of Jedi and Republic soldiers come up with a plan to help free those imprisoned. Meanwhile, those held captive by Niv Drendow start a prison riot.
Issue #4 brings on yet another guest artist, Elisa Romboli. As an artist, Romboli is extremely talented. With silky-smooth line work and faces full of expression, Romboli is yet another great artist brought on while Harvey Tolibao is away.
The issue I have with this comic has more to do with the writing. In issue #4, the story follows so many voices. On one page, the story might follow the internal thoughts of one character, but also follow the external dialogue between three or four other different characters, all at the same time. It’s essentially two trains of thought going at the same time, and the reader has to be on board for both. I know that this is a storytelling technique many comic writers employ, and it’s one that’s been used in the past before, but I think in this issue, it was used too much.
The pages provided above are a great example of this. Later on in the story, when the scene changes, it employs the same technique again. It’s multiple voices that the reader has to follow. It can make it hard to keep track of everything and everyone.
Like I said at the start, I still did enjoy my time with The High Republic Adventures issue #4. There are some awesome action scenes towards the backend of this comic. The art is magnificent, with some amazing up-close shots of the characters. There are some cool moments between the villains in this issue. And colorist Michael Atiyeh yet again provides vibrant and lush colors to each page. But there’s still some room for improvement that, if adjusted, could make these comics even better.
Score: 7.5/10
Thank you to Dark Horse for providing the advanced review copy used for this writing. The High Republic Adventures issue #4 is available at local comic book stores and on digital store shelves now.
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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.
