The High Republic (2022) #2
THE HIGH REPUBLIC
BALANCE OF THE FORCE
Chapter II: Tey Sirrek
Death strikes on Jedha.
Jedi Knight Vildar Mac came searching for answers on the Pilgrim Moon, only to find a world divided. As arguments between Force believers rage in the street, Vildar and young Padawan Matthea Cathley investigate the disappearance of a piece of religious art in a near forgotten shrine.
But a mysterious figure lies in wait for them, a figure who claims to have knowledge of ancient rituals long forbidden by the Jedi.
Haunted by the horrors of his past, Vildar Mac moves to appreehend the dark sider, only to fall victim to his arcane powers….
Writer: Cavan Scott
Penciller: Ario Anindito
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Colorist: Frank William
Cover artist: Ario Anindito
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Publication date: November 9, 2022
Not pausing for breath, the debut issue of Phase 2 ended with Vildar Mac unconscious – believed dead – on the floor and the second issue opens with a memory, as Mac remembers his own clash with a dark sider as a youngster. Padawan Cathley is over his prone body, trying to wake him up and asks for help from her Jedi elders when suddenly he sits up straight, disorientated but moving, much to her disbelief. Touching a wall, he gets an image, of the Enlightenment bar, and together they head out, arriving at a Jedha almshouse for the Path of the Open hand, where as Jedi they are decidedly less than welcome. Annoyed, Mac leaves with Cathley as she explains the lay of the land; on Jedha, the Jedi are simply one of many, and far from venerated as they are in other worlds across the galaxy.
Arriving at the Enlightenment they are greeted by two hulking doorstaff – aka the infamous Twinkle Sisters – before being greeted by the insectoid owner Kradon who welcomes them in. However, when Mac locates and attacks the darkside he was chasing in vain last issue, ine of the Twinkle sisters slams him to the floor, as Kradon explains how he doesn’t tolerate violence in his bar, and laughs at the thought of darksiders. Here lies the twist – the ‘darksider’ is in fact a Sephi, and alien race that can use pheremones to incapacitate, and it wasn’t the dark side he was using to take down Mac but that inherrent ability. Mac is less than impressed, even when a Holo clearly shows the Sephi Tey Sirrek arrived after the womans death and was there to help, not assassinate.
Despite that revelation, Tey is still a light-fingered thief as Mac and Padawan Cathley track him down to see him trying to sell Mac’s lightsaber to a buyer. The alien isn’t interested, but Tey certainly is interested in the kyber statue in the aliens speeder, and as Mac dives in to break up the moment, the alien fires and Tey dives in to block the blasts, his body armour stopping the bolts. We learn that the statue was lifted from the Temple of Kyber, and as the Jedi arrive at the temple there’s a welcoming committee – the Jedi are not welcome….
There’s a winning vibrancy and a definite change of tone from Phase 1 to Phase 2. While the first salvo of The High Republic carried a definitive tonal link to the prequel era, this second phase – a prequel itself don’t forget – is the wild, wild west by comparison. The status of the Jedi is far from it is in later (and presumably earlier) days, and while the skills are there, the respect we assume they invoke is far from present. It’s a reset for the era that works superbly, perhaps giving us the chance to see how this era of the Jedi is referred to as the ‘High’ Republic.
Cavan Scott lays down another fascinating story while artist Ario Anindito and colourist Frank William deliver stunning spreads of artwork, giving us a tour of Jedha in a new era that is a feast for the eyes. If this kind of quality continues across the second phase, we could be embarking on something very speial indeed.
Star Wars: Star Wars: High Republic #3 from Star Wars: High Republic by TBD published by Marvel Comics @ ForbiddenPlanet.com – UK and Worldwide Cult Entertainment Megastore
