Another The High Republic Show, another overload of charisma from host Krystina Arielle, who brings us some interviews with the editors behind different parts of the publishing initiative, the same confusion as the rest of us over showing Starlight Beacon’s potential destruction in January just after the show got a beautiful model of it, and tons of character concept art! Beyond the show, we’re also covering some recent reveals, like an excerpt from Justina Ireland’s upcoming Mission to Disaster for Phase I Wave III and how the Halcyon aka the Star Wars interactive hotel will make its way into the era as well. Head below for all the above and more!
In the latest THRS, its 6 episode before its anniversary livestream episode set for January 4, 2022 to celebrate the release of Phase I’s end, Arielle interviewed Marvel Senior Editor Mark Paniccia, Penguin Random House Creative Director Elizabeth Schaefer, and Fawn Lau, Executive Editor at Viz, all of whom are responsible for bringing us all different parts of this expansive publishing initiative. It’s not often we get to hear their perspective and what excites them about the project overall, so it was nice to have them in the limelight, from Schaefer’s agreement on Marchion Ro’s ‘daddy’ status amongst the fans, Lau’s eagerness to have fans introduced to manga, and Paniccia’s love of Sskeer and Keeve’s story. It also seems Schaefer and Paniccia agree Marchion’s story is the one they are both looking forward to the most in the final wave of Phase I, while Lau promised some familiar faces for the second volume of The Edge of Balance. While of course they also mention the difficulties of navigating the multi-level story and keeping it all together and cohesive as different people work on different parts. And lastly, Schaefer promises causalities are expected for the finale in January, while not surprising, is nerve wracking to hear from someone in the know because it means it’s real going to happen. No one is safe in an era full of new characters, so get your tissue box(es) ready now.
There was also a whole segment on Tales from the Galaxy’s Edge‘s two The High Republic set side-adventures, the VR game exclusive to the Meta Quest 2! They dove a lot into the expansion’s THR tale, “The Sacred Garden,” which I far preferred to the original tale. Check out my reviews of Part I and it’s expansion, Last Call, now!
The Show’s release of concept art primarily focused on characters from Out of the Shadows: Chancey Yarrow, Sylvestri’s mother who she finds out has turned to working for the Nihil; Jordanna Sparkburn and her awesome cat Remy, Syl’s ex and deputy for the San Tekkas; M-227, first Chancey then Syl’s ancient guard droid; Xylan Graf, scion of the Graf family that helped build the Starlight Beacon; Neeto Janajana, Syl’s co-pilot; and Ghirra Starros, Senator and mother to Avon Starros. The final concept art is of a new character for IDW’s upcoming The High Republic Adventures Annual, a 16 year-old given some big responsibilities after the Republic Fair Disaster, named Alys “Crash” Ongwa, alongside her droid K8 (the author of the Doctor Aphra (Vol. 2) comic is named Alyssa “Crash” Wong, so I am curious if this was a reference to her?!):
Prior to this, there were 4 other concept art drops recently, first Rhil Dairo, the reporter from The Rising Storm, and then three Jedi from the upcoming Mission of Disaster by Ireland that are at the temple on the planet Dalna, a place mentioned in Ireland’s A Test of Courage and other works since: Lyssa Votz (named after Publicity Manager Lyssa Hurvitz!), a Jedi Archivist even more unlikely to draw her lightsaber than even Raeth Silas; Nyla Quinn, the Master in charge of the Temple; and Yacek Sparkburn, a boisterous Knight who’s not sure if he’s related to the San Tekkas or even Jordanna. Here are those:
The first excerpt from any of the upcoming Wave III content came from the official site itself and Ireland’s Mission to Disaster, catching us up with Vernestra Rwoh and Imri Cantaros having some peaceful training for once…until Vernestra has a vision about Avon Starros in extreme danger. I’ve been a big fan of Avon and we haven’t had much of her since Wave I back in January 2021, so I’m eager for more but very, very scared for her!! We also learned Wave III will contain a few appearances in-universe from the Halcyon, a Corellian-built cruise ship that in the real world will be the sight of the hotel experience, as it helps with danger on Starlight Beacon and has its backstory explored in Older’s Midnight Horizon. And lastly, get a hint of what’s all in store of the comics that will end Phase I with both the January and February Star Wars comic solicitations.
Otherwise, today also so the release of The High Republic Adventures #10 (recapped in the opening timeline during the Show) and The Monster of Temple Peak #4, the finale to the miniseries about Ty Yorrick!
Stay tuned to the Manor for all things The High Republic, where I’ll do my best not to weep over all the potential upcoming heartbreak in my reviews…no promises though! January can’t come soon enough!
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.