Since the announcement of the upcoming landmark High Republic publishing initiative, there’s been relative radio silence despite the promise of more details. That all changed on Thursday, when the official site began a new series of articles digging into upcoming new era. It all starts with an introduction to several of the Jedi characters we’ll meet across The High Republic’s various books and comics. Head below to find out more! (Update: THR has begun and our reviews are rolling in!)
The reveal articles goes over how heroic the Jedi of this era are, reminding us that these Jedi haven’t been sucked into some Sith-laden plot or tempted by the dark side without knowing it. Writer Cavan Scott, who will pen the upcoming on-going Marvel comic The High Republic, is adamant they’ve done their best to make the Jedi well-rounded characters, with promises they might be true heroes, but, “…they each have lessons to learn and challenges to overcome.”
We start with Avar Kriss, who seems to be the Order’s best, who is,
“…invigorated about life on the frontier and the challenges it brings, and is an inspiration for those who work with her. She is compassionate, not dogmatic, and always ready to sacrifice herself over others.”
She was first glimpsed in The Rise of Kylo Ren #3 in a holocron opened by one of Luke’s students and adorns the cover of Light of the Jedi (out August 25), the novel kicking off the whole High Republic initiative. Charles Soule wrote both the Kylo Ren comic and upcoming novel, and he shared an intriguing detail about Kriss around the time of the announcement: she connects to the Force via music; I can’t wait to see what that means for the Jedi Order’s best and brightest.
Next from the LotJ cover is Loden Greatstorm, who beyond the Wookiee Jedi we’ve already met (more on him later), might take the cake with the best name yet for characters in this timeframe. I’m happy he’s a Twi’lek, and that we seemingly have so many alien Jedi, as we’ve had enough focus on human Jedi. According the article, Greatstorm has, “… a good sense of humor, {and he} looks at every moment as a learning experience.” Tell me some good jokes come August, Greatstorm!
The final Jedi from the LotJ’s cover is Stellan Gios, a longtime friend of Avar Kriss, and, “…when the two work together they are a powerhouse team of two noble heroes in action.” Could that mean they might be a Dyad, like Ben Solo and Rey Skywalker were? Beyond his optimism, I’m curious to learn why the site felt it was necessary to mention he’s stationed on a Temple outpost on Caragon-Viner….
Then there’s the “firebrand” Keeve Trennis, who will star in aforementioned Marvel comic from Scott. She sounds like the most volatile Jedi of the bunch we’re introduced to in this article, as she’s, “…Quick-witted and more impulsive than she should be…{and} she must learn to trust in herself as much as she trusts the Force.” Beyond the Wookiee Jedi, she might be the one I’m most intrigued to meet, getting to watch her come into her own. She’s also star struck by Kriss, another Jedi I’m eager to learn more about because it’ll be interesting to see a prime Jedi, and even more so through the eyes of someone who looks up to her. We always hear never meet your heroes, but she sounds like the rare one to meet. And I bet Keeve will be too! (Also, love how her and Rafa Martez, in The Clone Wars‘ final season, have the same hair style!)
Last, and certainly not least, is the star of Justina Ireland’s novel A Test of Courage (out September 8), Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh. Previously Padawan-ed to Stellan, she’s one of the youngest Jedi Knights ever at 16, so she, “… struggles to fit in with the adults while also setting a good example for the younger Jedi.” Much like Keeve, she’s near the top of my list of Jedi I’m most excited to meet, as getting to watch such a young Jedi lead, doing her best to be taken seriously by her older peers and younger friends, could lead to an intriguing struggle that’ll only be exacerbated by the Crisis set into motion by the era’s villains, the Nihil.
Soule also previously introduced us to Burry, aka Burryaga Agaburry, the Wookiee Jedi also adorning the LotJ cover. He’s already my best friend and I must protect him with my life.
The High Republic begins in August, coinciding with Star Wars Celebration Anaheim 2020, which is still as scheduled despite the growing pandemic with Covid-19. “Phase 1” not only includes the aforementioned Light of the Jedi, A Test of Courage, and The High Republic comic, but also Into the Dark (by Claudia Gray) and The High Republic Adventures from IDW (by Daniel José Older).
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.
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