A year has passed since Starlight Beacon has fallen. But what a year it was.
Azlin Rell! Padawans to Knights! Anarchists to occupiers! Survivors’ guilt! And Jedi precautions!
Charles Soule fills in the year leading into Phase III of The High Republic with a miniseries that bounces around to a few different stories to get us primed and caught up. The artists change each issue but all of the art is gorgeous. This is an excellent lead up (along with Tales of Light and Life) to the final phase of The High Republic!
Here are some of my favorite moments!
SPOILERS AHEAD!
The Guardian Protocols
Now that the Jedi are a straight-up Ralph Wiggum meme (I’mindanger.gif), precautions must be taken. The council recalls all Jedi to Coruscant and implements the Guardian Protocols during this crisis. The protocols state:
- Acceleration of youngling combat instruction
- Outposts staffed by droids
- Independent research paused
- Early Padawan trials
- Resource management restriction
- Offensive combat as required
- No Jedi travels alone
So Uncivilized
The lightsaber smiths have to make adjustments too. To keep the order stocked with combat-ready lightsabers they must let go of their time-consuming handcrafted artistry in favor of quantity…
Somehow, Azlin Rell Has Returned…
He’s baaaaaaaack! And it looks like it’s been a rough 150 years for this guy.
Your Eyes Can Deceive You
Azlin goes full spooky mode.
Firebrands
After Starlight’s fall, Avar and Elzar miss their best friend.
Sad Song
Avar seems to place a lot of blame on herself and even her connection to the Force is being affected.
For Light and Life
Trapped in the Occlusion Zone Avar Kriss refuses to be broken by hopelessness.
This Weapon
After a rough year leading up to the fall of Starlight, Bell Zettifar refuses to give up on anyone else.
Knights
Bell and Burryaga both get a promotion!! Look how far they’ve come!!
Fyre Festival
Marchion Ro don’t stop the rock.
Build Anew
Ghirra Starros is much more interested in building a new society she can govern.
Jedi Killer
Wait a sec… ain’t you the warlord Porter Engle fought on the Planet of Knives all those years ago?? This seems relevant…
The Good Doctor
Baron Boolan wastes no time after being recruited into his dream job.
Confronting Fear
Shadows of Starlight takes us through galaxy spanning changes through the eyes of some of our favorite characters. The writing and the art compliment each other perfectly. And as we go forth into the beginning of the end of this High Republic storytelling initiative I think this series gives us plenty to contemplate.
This comic is a must-read for all High Republic fans getting ready to dive into Phase III! It catches up with some of our key characters and perfectly sets the stage for what’s to come!
What was your favorite moment?
- Sal P.
You Might Also Like:
- The High Republic: Tales of Light and Life
- The High Republic: Light of the Jedi
- The High Republic: Eye of Darkness
- The High Republic: Midnight Horizon
- The High Republic: Edge of Balance: Precedent
- The High Republic: Temptation of the Force
The Rogue Rebels 