Review: ‘Star Wars: The High Republic’ #8 Saves The Galaxy
by Tony Thornley
The Jedi of Starlight Beacon are the ideal of what the Jedi could be in the Star Wars universe. They’re powerful, noble, and heroic, but they’re also fallible and imperfect. And as they are drawn into the final battle with the Drengir in Star Wars: The High Republic #8, we get to see those facets of the Jedi in action.
This issue serves as the transition between Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the High Republic story. It seems to be the end of one thing, but the final page shows that it’s about to be so much more. It comes from Cavan Scott, Ario Anindito, Mark Morales, Annalisa Leoni, and Joe Caramagna.
The final battle against the Drengir threat is in full swing, and the Jedi-Hutt alliance makes its riskiest move yet — taking the battle to the Drengir homeworld. It’s an explosive battle that could tear the Jedi apart, but Keeve Trennis holds the key that could stop them all.
In a story that’s sort of a standard wrap-up, Scott does as much as he can to make sure it’s more than just a bunch of action beats. He explores how the Force was used differently in the High Republic era. He ensures that the characters — even if they have limited page time — are complex and interesting. He even introduces a few interesting new concepts to lead into the next story arc. It’s way more than the standard, which makes the final page reveal, tying this issue to the recently released novel kicking off Phase 2 even more resonant.
Anindito’s return to the book is a welcome one. His pages are detailed without feeling busy and he’s able to give a largely psychic battle a physical weight (which Leoni and Caramagna also play great parts in). Morales gives his lines a solid feel on the page, without overwhelming the pencils. Combined, they create a battle that feels like more than a lightsaber fight without taking away from the incredibly fun action.
With this story over, and the threat of the Drengir contained, the series moves into the next phase of the initiative — and with what this issue sets up, it is, without a doubt, an intriguing future.
Star Wars: The High Republic #8 is available now from Marvel Comics.
Overview
The Star Wars universe gets more dangerous in this latest issue as the storyline wraps up. It’s a fun actioner, but it’s packed with world-building, detailed art, and is just a lot of fun.
