At the Celebration Europe 2023 High Republic panel, there was tons of big reveals, like all the novel names for Phase III and the fact Vernestra Rwoh would somehow be in The Acolyte show, but one moment left a big question mark for fans: what was the mysterious yet to be announced title set for October?! Well, wait no longer, as This Week! In Star Wars revealed it’s an upcoming 4-issue comic miniseries, written by Charles Soule with art by Ibraim Roberson, titled Shadows of Starlight. It covers the year gap between Phase I and Phase III, focusing on different characters each issue, starting with the Jedi Order’s High Council, then Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann, next is Bell Zettifar, and lastly, Marchion Ro! Beyond that, we got synopses for two early Phase III novels, and while they don’t reveal much, it’s something. Head below for the full cover reveal and the synopses!
The Jedi High Council certainly haven’t gotten much time in the spotlight, so finally exploring a story about them in the first issue of Shadows of Starlight could be quite intense, while we might see who will take Stellan Gios’ place. Following that, an issue about Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann, both broken over the loss of their polestar Stellan, could be spicy. Having Bell Zettifar take center stage, an early fan favorite of the era, will be one a lot are eager to read because I can only assume we’ll see his quest for Burryaga! And lastly, more Marchion Ro, especially if it’s opening up more about his plans and what he has in store with the Nameless.
And now here are the synopses for some Phase III novels. We start with Escape from Valo, a middle grade entry out January 30, written by Daniel José Older and Alyssa Wong:
The New York Times best-selling series continues with Trials of the Jedi… For light and life!
Journey to the embattled Occlusion Zone in this action-packed adventure set hundreds of years before the Skywalker saga. It’s a dark and dangerous time for the galaxy in which communication has been rendered nearly impossible in the Outer Rim as the Nihil continue to threaten the Republic’s very existence. Join Jedi Padawans—including Ram Jomaram—as they plot their escape from enemy territory.
Discover how the devotion of hopeful young Padawans will prove essential to the Republic’s—and the galaxy’s—survival.
The Occlusion Zone is an area of space the Nihil blocked off at the end of Phase I, thanks to Marchion Ro’s machinations, as seen in The Eye of the Storm comic miniseries.
And here’s the one for March 12’s Defy the Storm, a young adult novel by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland:
‘Star Wars: The High Republic, the New York Times best-selling series, continues…. For light and life!
One year after the fall of Starlight Beacon, the galaxy is in chaos. An anarchistic group known as the Nihil has taken over a section of space now known as the Occlusion Zone. Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh and scientist Avon Starros team up in an attempt to find a way through the Nihil Stormwall to save those on the other side.
But what are the Nihil’s real plans? And what of the nameless creatures that can destroy the Jedi Order? The battle has just begun….
Vern is one of my top Jedi and Avon Starros is my top non-Jedi character of the era, so consider this an absolute must read for me. Will Vern finally use the special hyperspace Path Mari San Tekka gave her? Will we start to see why Avon made a pact with Deva Lompop to protect her family before disappearing into the unknown? Phase III can’t come soon enough, especially as Phase II is basically done now, besides The High Republic Adventures – Phase II dropping its final three issues together on June 28.
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