– Spoiler Review –
In the face of ultimate destruction and an uncaring enemy, can the Republic and Jedi Order find a way forward to save the day or will sacrifices have to be made? Find out how an emotional plea changes everything in my review of The High Republic Adventures #17 – Phase III.
While everyone has had a tough time during the Battle of Eriadu, the increasingly fraught situation exacerbates Farzala Tarabal’s internal struggles despite some minor progress, as even the arrival of the Republic Fleet hasn’t changed the tide and the Warden’s dastardly plans are closing than ever to eradicating the denizens the planet by leveling their cities. It looks impossible to stop to Farzala, overwhelmed by the decision he must make and his desires to see all his friends alive to the end, and he thinks there’s only one way to proceed: evacuate and let it go, the inevitable is here and he’d rather see everyone alive than lose anyone else to save the city.
If there’s one defining factor I’ll always appreciate about The High Republic as a whole, it’s clarifications on the role connections and emotions can and should play in a Jedi’s life. Attachments can lead to what happens with Anakin Skywalker, especially when the Order is more closed off than it was in this era, yet in THR we see time and time again attachments, and/or the connections the Order makes with those around them, be it other Jedi or the citizens they swear to protect for Light and Life, only strengthen the Order when handled correctly. A great example exposes itself this issue: Ishnar Ti-Kharatal and Farzala. Ishnar originally worked security for the Hutts and was trying to capture him after what seemed like an unprovoked attack on the Hutts, yet he saved her and they teamed up to solve the mystery. She went on join Farzala and his friends on Starlight Beacon and never really left, being accepted into their group, and at the start of Phase III we find out she’s in Nihil jail with Farzala and Torbin Buck, with some hints Farzala and her friendship had only deepened despite the situation. When Farzala makes the call to evacuate, Yaddle asks Ishnar to check in with him, to see if this is what he really feels is the best call to make, with her picking up on Ishnar’s feelings regarding our dashing and kind Jedi, encouraging her about those feelings because Yaddle knows something from the heart might be exactly what Farzala needs to help him reevaluate the situation. Ishnar’s call to Farzala is a beautiful moment, got me on the edge of tears even, as she confesses her feelings, understanding the impossibility of acting on them, and then uses her choice to change herself due to his kindness to her as a way to highlight even she doesn’t believe he’s convinced this is the only way. This connection Farzala created, simply by being a Jedi and bringing light to the galaxy, without attachment, is what prompts him to face what’s really going on inside.
Before she calls, Sevran erupts at him over the choice, her words enough to bring back the mysterious figure in the flames he can’t stop seeing, and then Ishnar’s words shock him enough to realize he’s not so sure this is the only way forward, causing him to rush out in his vision and confront the figure: Master Obratuk! Their conversation, while they duel non-violently with lightsabers, is another fantastic moment, as it gets to the heart of Farzala’s fear and builds off a cute little flashback in issue #14 to Obratuk’s instructions to the young Zygerrin about dancing with the flow of the Force i.e. if one takes action with only one purpose in mind, they might miss the bigger picture and be susceptible to fear instead of standing up to it, like they think they are. The sequence’s end is the cap to Farzala’s journey, showing how far he’s come and how far he can still go. It’s still a dark situation ahead of everyone on Eriadu, but issue #17 ends on the first really hopeful note as we march into the final three issues of the series!
Back on art and seeing us through to the very end, fitting since he’s been here since the beginning, is Harvey Tolibao, with colorist Michael Atiyeh, and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt & Tyler Smith lettering! When Farzala rushes off into his destruction-filled vision to confront the mysterious figure vexing him, the earthy-red hue to the surroundings, various bones laying around, and flames flickering all over, it feels a lot like a personal hell for Farzala, and Obratuk’s appearance is a frightening climax to all the build-up of this specter over the past few issues. His words sound very cheerful, yet he’s made to look anything but, as his multi-limbed form, igniting five lightsabers, with a straight, serious face is already unsettling to some degree, but it’s the flames all around him, and the pronounced bones beneath him, which make him seem like the obstacle Farzala must overcome. Tolibao crams so much into each panel, constantly surprising with the depth of detail he can provide as well, so I appreciated how Ishnar’s speech scenes have her doing what’s right at the moment, keeping the crowd’s flowing, beings all around her as she both urges them forward and she concentrates on her comm, on what she needs to say to Farzala, giving credence to her change and how vital she believes her words are, as through it all she can narrow in on what matters. Farzala’s looked manic, set in stone, for most of his appearances prior to this, but I loved how he’s more focused yet sad, like he knows what he has to do but doesn’t know if he can.
Here are a few other things:
- It took me a second read to pick up the context clues Farzala was now in control of the giant cannon he was facing down at the end of issue #16. It wasn’t important to see him take it, but it did throw me off given how last issue ended and this started with him already in it.
- I’m glad we got to check in with Qort and Zint as well, the pair being saved by two delightful appearances! I hope this means we’ll see more of these characters in the final few issues!
- Last issue, I thought maybe Into the Light would show how the Stormwall falls, but it takes place prior to the start of this battle and was far more concerned about Kashyyyk, understandably, anyways. The next bet is A Valiant Vow, Justina Ireland’s middle-grade release out next week, May 6, otherwise I guess it’ll be in Trials of the Jedi, which would seem weird given it’s the final release, but it all depends on when the novel starts in the timeline. So we’re going with Valiant Vow for now!
- At the recent Publishing Panel at Celebration Japan 2025, there were some High Republic reveals still up their sleeves as we head into the final few months, like how there’s a Finale issue set for late July.
- Speaking of July, originally the main The High Republic Adventures – Phase III was set to finish in June, but issue #19 slipped into late June and the final issue, #20, dropped into July. Hopefully these issues don’t move much more!
- So what’s left for the High Republic in 2025? Here’s a list of some upcoming releases: April 30, 2025: The High Republic – Fear of the Jedi #3; The High Republic Adventures: The Battle of Eriadu; May 6, 2025: A Valiant Vow; May 13, 2025: Tempest Breaker (script book); May 21, 2025: The High Republic Adventures #18 – Phase III; The High Republic – Fear of the Jedi #4. Keep up to date with our release schedule on our High Republic page!
The High Republic Adventures #17 – Phase III highlights the way connections can strengthen the Jedi Order, as one Farzala made helps push him past his fear and towards what could just help save the day on Eriadu!
+ Empathy and connections are what make us stronger
+ Farzala confronting his fear
+ Tolibao and team do justice for scary reappearances and emotional confessions
– Hints of other cast is welcomed but makes their lack of panel time stretch more
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him and the website on Bluesky.
DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of this comic from the publisher at no charge in order to provide an early review. However, this did not affect the overall review content. All opinions are my own.
THE HIGH REPUBLIC ADVENTURES – PHASE III REVIEWS
Vol. 1: #1 | #2 | #3 | #4 | #5 — Vol. 2: #6 | #7 | #8 | #9 | #10 — Vol. 3: #11 | #12 | #13 — Vol. 4: #14 | #15 | #16