The High Republic Adventures #4 - Comic Review

So many of our familiar, favorite Star Wars stories begin with an epic space battle, ratcheting up the excitement and exhilaration and, in the case of the films, before you’ve even had your first handful of popcorn. We’ve been well-conditioned to keep our eyes wide open when the starships, explosions and blaster fire take center stage, usually set to a rousing John Williams score. That’s precisely why the opening of The High Republic Adventures #4 is so refreshing. We see Padawan Lula Talisola and untrained Force user Zeen Mrala sitting in quiet meditation on the Republic outpost on Ord Mantell, as Lula explains the truth of the Force (at least how she perceives the truth to be). The opening conflict is not one of repelled blaster fire or clashing lightsabers, but a deep, internal one. Zeen is starting to have a crisis of confidence in her effort to leverage her fellow Trymant IV native and longtime friend Krix Kamerat to lead the Jedi to the Nihil. This inner tension typifies the chief struggle of issue #4; the creepy dread of Zeen and Krix’s eventual reunion and the knowledge that things will never be the same. Of course, nothing jogs you out of a good meditation in Star Wars like a red alert, and Zeen, Krix and their Padawan friends find themselves watching Masters Sy, Yoda and Buck dart off to deal with a skirmish in space.

Meanwhile, Krix and his Nihil “hosts” hunker down on the junk moon of Quantxi, while Marchion Ro, the Nihil’s shadowy capo, plots to use Zeen to get to the Jedi. Krix might not be eager to prove his utility to Ro and the Nihil, but he’s compelled to as he chases down a native of the moon in an effort to stop them from sending a distress signal. At the same time, the Jedi Masters engage the belligerents in space, finding their battle suspiciously easy a task, but not before “Buckets Of Blood” manages to show his now trademark exuberance. If we ever get back to the days of crowded restaurants, I want him with me when I try to get reservations. Minus the aftershave scene, Lula and several of their Padawan pals grow tired of being left home alone, and realize that Zeen already had the same idea, although her intention is to bring Krix back safely. Lula knows that Zeen is in danger without some backup, and the crew piles into a comically undersized fighter to track her down.

As writer Daniel José Older takes us closer to what seems to be an eventual reunion of Zeen and Krix, we’re left to wonder how this will impact Zeen’s journey to understanding the Force. However, it’s clear that the greatest impact could be on those who have gotten closest to the Trymant IV natives. Are the Jedi truly prepared for the Nihil? Will Lula have the confidence she needs to take her place among the Masters? Questions abound!

One definite without question is the continued beauty and diversity of each page. Artists Harvey Tolibao, and Rebecca Nalty and Jake Wood on colors and letters respectively, continue to deftly bring Older’s words to life. Whether space battle or the rusted scraggles of Quantxi, they continue to up their game. However, my favorite page is that first one I mentioned earlier. The quiet strength of the Jedi on display, and the opening of the mind interrupted by fear. A perfectly Star Wars-y idea for a Star Wars comic, illustrated equally perfectly.

The High Republic Adventures #4 is here! Go get one!