The High Republic (2022) #3
THE HIGH REPUBLIC
BALANCE OF THE FORCE
Chapter III: Tey Sirrek
Jedi Vildar Mac and Padawan Matthea Cathley have teamed up with trickster and thief Tey Sirrek to discover who has been stealing religious artifacts across Jedha’s Holy City.
Their investigation leads them to the Temple of the Kyber, a depository of over two thousand sacred treasures patrolled by the fearless Guardians of the Whills.
Yet no sooner have they entered the Temple than the reluctant allies find themselves surrounded by Guardian lightbows….
Writer: Cavan Scott
Penciller: Ario Anindito
Inker: Mark Morales
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Colorist: Frank William
Cover artist: Ario Anindito
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Publication date: December 28, 2022
An observation as we dive into the third issue of The High Republic phase 2; whatever the era, the Jedi never seem to have it easy. In the dawn of the Jedi era as they find their place in the Force they have distinct challenges, as they do later in the war-fraught era of the Old Republic. The prequel era saw their decline, the civil war their isolation and the sequel era their resurgence, but as we continue to explore this area of the High Republic, the observation holds. We rejoin Vildar Mac, Matty Cathley and trickster Tey Sirrek inside the Temple of the Kyber, surrounded by Guardians of the Whills who are all aiming their lightbows at Sirrek. As Mac stops a potential escalation of tensions we learn that Sirrek was once a Guardian himself, and as he ponders on the situation we step back half a decade further into the past and a younger Tey as he rumbles a street robbery, losing the two young thieves as their droid blinds tey with a light flash.
We’re back in the present as Mac and Matty are with the Archivist at the Temple, Tey a subject of discussion as they learn that an ancient sculpture – the Firebird of Colassa – has been stolen. Mac – no fan of Tey – isn’t convinced that he stole it, despite the protestations of the elder archivists. Matty points out Tey’s distress at the death of the sister of Sarrav and we step back again as we see Viss and Tey training, discussing the young street thieves and a name – Wozo – who appears to control them. Tey finds one of the kids begging again and chases him, running into Wozo, who leads the kid away from Tey, who was way of of his jurisdiction. The following morning the droid returns, leading Tey to where the kids live. One is dead, the others unconscious as Viss chews Tey out for getting involved, and Tey making clear that he believes the lives of children are more important than inanimate kyber, and leaves.
We see Wozo looking to leave planet as Tey leaps in and attacks, enraged at the turn of events and smashing Wozo’s breathing mask in the skirmish. Tey does little to help as Wozo expires and we’re back in the present as Tey returns to the Temple, sneaking in and finding a globular object under a sofa that Mac sees in his hands, assuming it’s a bomb as we cut to the exterior of the building and an explosion….
We’re three issues in, have hopped around the timeline, spent 99% of our time on Jedha and have encountered only brand new characters, and yet this is as engrossing as anything else on shelves from the GFFA at the moment. Maybe it’s the concept, the familiarity of the Guardians of the Whills we know so well from Rogue One, or the superb artwork of Ario Anindito, colourist Frank William and inker Mark Morales. Who knows, but beyond doubt is the skill of Cavan Scott to spin a tale that draws the reader in with relatable characters and interesting scenerios. What are the odds we see a Vildar Mac cosplay or two at Celebrartion in April.
- Cavan Scott (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 32 Pages - Marvel Comics Publishing (Publisher)
