With the novels getting much of the spotlight in the build-up to the January 2021 release of The High Republic publishing initiative, it’s about time the comics shared in the hype! The official site’s blog hosted a preview of the first issue of Marvel’s The High Republic on-going comic, written by Cavan Scott, pencils by Ario Anindito, inks by Mark Morales, and a cover from Phil Noto. In it, we’re introduced to Keeve Trennis, her Master Sskeer, and a funny connection from a comic released in 2015. Comics have become a giant part of my fandom and this small tease is enough to take my excitement for the High Republic initiative to a whole new level. Head below for some more thoughts and a look at the preview! (Update: THR has begun and our reviews are rolling in!)
In the interview with writer Cavan Scott, he reveals Trennis was conceived in the first Project Luminous chat, even sneaking a reference about her into his Dooku: Jedi Lost audiobook. We see her in the middle of her Jedi Trails in the preview, though her mention in the audiobook portends a very intriguing story potential, as Yoda says she’s part of the Lost 20, Jedi whom leave the Order due to disillusionment with it (we’ve touched on this before in our previous coverage of THR). How she goes from a Jedi Knight hopeful to leaving the Order, especially during whatever the Nihil have cooked up for the galaxy, should be a compelling story brought to us by a great author.
As for the art, it’s only a few pages, but Ario Anindito’s style is something to behold, from the knetic energy of the duel to the density of the panels and the facial expressions throughout. I’m really looking forward to see what he’ll all bring to the series; at this moment, we don’t quite know how Morales’ colors will add to the experience since they weren’t included in the preview.
As excited as I am for this, I can’t ignore how there isn’t a single female creative involved with the series, which unfortunately has been par for the course for Marvel’s comics; it’s especially glaring when there’s a female main character, and while two female authors helped with the overall story, it still would’ve been nice for Marvel to try hiring more women for once.
The fun connection to an old comic are the Ximpi, the less than cute fairy-like creatures, who first appeared in fellow THR scribe Charles Soule’s Lando miniseries, where they translated the words of the slimy gangster Papa Toren; they later appeared with Toren again in both the Poe Dameron comic (also by Soule) and in Doctor Aphra Vol. 1. Kanrii here shows how chatty they really can be and I hope they stick around for a while in the series, providing some fun humor, which seems likely will since Scott teases Keeve will have a menagerie of strange and interesting creatures flocking to her.
Also, Sskeer having lost one arm is a bit of a surprise, considering all the artwork we’ve seen of him has included both arms. I can’t remember if Trandoshans can regrow limbs or what not, but I’m assuming it would take a while even if they can.
Check out the preview below!
We don’t have a specific date in January 2021 for the release of The High Republic #1, but we’ll know more once the month’s solicitations drop in October!
And lastly, we just launched our own The High Republic landing page, which will be home to all our latest news, reviews, and ramblings for the publishing initiative!
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.
THE HIGH REPUBLIC NEWS
- The High Republic Website Launches, First Look at Yoda
- The High Republic Teases Continue: A Test of Courage Excerpt Released!
- Read the First Chapter of The High Republic’s Light of the Jedi Now!
- The High Republic Launch Moved to January 2021
- Meet the Jedi of The High Republic Publishing Program
- Project Luminous Revealed: The High Republic Publishing Program, Begins August 2020!