The High Republic (2022) #9
THE HIGH REPUBLIC
BATTLE FOR THE FORCE
Chapter IV: THE HAND OF SIBERUS
As Jedha burns, Padawan Matty Cathley protects Kradon Minst’s besieged Enlightenment tapbar from an enforcer-droid attack.
Meanwhile, Vildar Mac and Tey Sirrek have entered the secret Jedi vault in the ruins of the great statue that once stood in Jedha’s cold desert. Here the unlikely allies have discovered that the recent troubles have all been a smoke screen to hide Werth Plouth’s search for a fabled artifact known as the Rod of Daybreak.
Now, with the combined Rods of Power in his hand, the Herald of the Path of the Open Hand fully controls the creature known only as the Leveler, a creature capable of striking fear into the heart of any Force user.
A creature that has begun to feed….
Writer: Cavan Scott
Penciller: Ario Anindito
Inker: Marc Morales
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Colorist: Frank William
Cover artist: Rafael De Latorre, Marcelo Maiolo
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Publication date: May 10, 2023
We step back into the action in the secret Jedi vault on Jedha as we race towards the end of Phase Two and watch as the Herald of the Path of the Open Hand holds the powerful Rod of Power, an artifact able to control the Leveler, the creature dangerous to Force users. Vildar Mac and Tey watch closeby, Mac almost comatose as Tey questions whether he’s really seeing what’s happening right in front of his eyes. Vildar is truly lost, and Tey is spotted as Werth Plouths agents move in to attack. Knocked left, right and center as Vildar remains in a trance, Tey reaches for what he believes is an armoured glove but in truth is a Dark Side relic known as the Hand of Siberus, and in his possession he lashes out, Vildar snapping back to the moment as he tells him the weapon will destroy him just as he drops his lightsaber, alerting the Herald to his presence. Swinging the Rod of Power out before him, he sends the Leveler after Vildar.
We swing to Enlightenment in Jedha City as the defenses threaten to give out, Matty brandishes her lightsaber and in a snap decision she takes out one of the energy-field generators and tired of waiting leaps into the fray to fight. Back to the secret vault and Vildar as he reaches for the Force, but it’s not there, and in a moment the Leveler is leering right into his face, the power of the Rod of Power holding it back as it hungers to feed. Wanting no witnesses the Herald orders the Leveler to attack, but it’s forcibly stopped by Tey who uses his own weapon to stop it.
It looks like the Leveler is dead, and Tey grins as he looks at the Hand of Siberus, but his moment is ended as Yana blasts him and Tey falls, dead. Vildar is clearly shook, and as Plouth ignites his blades Vildar grabs the Hand of Siberus and we end the issue as he cries ‘to hell with the Force‘ and the power of the Hand of Siberus blasts out as we roll to the conclusion.
Wow, what an issue. With this second phase a shorter, briefer affair set many years before the first and third phases, it really feels like the shackles are off and characters we’ve grown to enjoy and care about are put in life-threatening and life-ENDING situations. Where the final issue will take us is unknown, but after a truly engrossing and page-turning 9 issues whatever we get, be it a grim finale or a more optimistic note, will be read with great interest. Hats off and bravo to the team behind this second volume of The High Republic, as it’s delivered one of the tightest, visually pleasing and impressive runs in recent memory.
- Amazon Kindle Edition
- Scott, Cavan (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 24 Pages - 05/24/2023 (Publication Date) - Marvel (Publisher)
