– Spoiler Review –
The Republic and Jedi joint task force’s assault on a Nihil prison ship doesn’t go as planned, leaving them in crisis mode to salvage the operation. Will Zeen Mrala finally get to say her peace to Lula Talisola? Find out in our review of the exciting yet emotional The High Republic Adventures #5 – Phase III!
Due to the dastardly Warden of the Nihil prison ship, Korvix Vorn, the planned rescue by the Republic and Jedi joint task force fell into chaos, as the prisoners were left to float out in space! It was a harrowing ending last issue which doesn’t abate in the opening moments of this issue, but through Farzala Tarabal’s calmness despite floating through space, his time limited on survival, and his choice to help others survive, we can begin to feel hope this will all turn out well. There’s still plenty of obstacles left, as the Vorn’s battlements are still functional, meaning the Republic can’t rescue the floating prisoners with their ship and Jedi like Tani and Kantam struggle to avoid being shot down, while Lula, Zeen, Qort, Ady, RA-G3, and Argomon have to fight through the Nihil to help where they can, so the chaotic nature of the rescue continues despite the earlier reassurance. When Lula and Zeen’s team breaks through and takes down the cannons, the Jedi abandon any more fighting and focus on what really matters, as they like to say: life, donning suits and picking up the prisoners one-by-one. Sure, it means the Vorn looks to get away, but at least the prisoners are safe and alive, the core goal in the first place, giving us a wonderful look at the “For Light and Life” mantra of the era.
As for the Nihil-aligned characters, Niv Drendow Apruk and Driggit Parse, first introduced in Escape from Valo, have a better showing than I felt they got last issue, hinting at their deeper layers and leaving readers of this comic more likely to be interested in what happens to them next. For Niv Drendow, his superiority complex takes a hit when the Warden puts him in his place, so he abandons fighting him and goes to take what he can from his lab, hoping to leave before anything happens to the Vorn. He’s not the only one, as the Warden decides to abandon ship without telling anyone, though as Driggit also leaves the command room, the two end up talking. Their conversation was my second favorite one of the issue (we talk about my favorite below), despite how brief it is, as he’s got her down to a science, calling her a survivor, waiting and biding her time for the right moment to continue doing so, and there’s no surprise she takes him up on his offer for her to join him, abandoning Niv Drendow along the way. Where will we see her next? I can’t wait to find out! We don’t get to see any of them escape or flee, leaving their fates unknown especially given the Vorn’s eventual destruction, as it blows up after the rescue mission is successful all thanks to the machinations of RA-G3 and Argomon as they got their friend B-333 out! The Vorn will trouble the galaxy no more, thankfully, but did the villains escape to mess with our heroes another day? And the little Nameless pups, floating in space, are they dead or will we find they snuck in with prisoners to the Republic ships somehow? Regardless, it’s a good victory for the Jedi and the Republic, freeing the prisoners, and the team should hopefully get a chance to celebrate before dealing with the next crisis.
After the Jedi and Republic return to Eriadu, Zeen gets a little push from Qort to find Lula and finally get everything out she’s been meaning to say. I had a ton of questions last issue about what would happen when Zeen got to tell Lula how she feels, but the only thing I knew for sure then is that I wouldn’t be ready for whatever would happen between them and reader, I so BEYOND correct about that. Like, way beyond, as I was not ready. And I love how it goes differently than Zeen, and therefore us since she’s been our narrator through this and we’re expecting what she’s expecting, thinks it will. When Zeen finds Lula, she’s outside burning away stuff again, like Zeen found her at the start of last issue. But if she burnt away the remnants of her warlord persona while she was lost and confused, what’s left to burn away? Dear reader, I am doing my best to not cry again, but it is far too difficult and I’m glad you don’t have to see it/get to read this all after I finally got through it (and you might be dotting away your tears reliving this too). Zeen’s about to speak, to finally say what she was holding in, but Lula tells her she has something to say to Zeen. The series has shown so much from Zeen’s point-of-view, readers are treated to her internal thoughts, but we haven’t gotten much from Lula’s, so it’s only appropriate she gets to lead here and reveal her feelings. And, Older you devil, they are beautiful, emotional words! Lula confesses, through it all, through her fear and not even knowing who she was, one thing she knew for sure was she wanted to be with Zeen (I’m losing it just typing out my paraphrasing of it)! Zeen is overly enthusiastic with her yes’s when Lula asks her if they can be together, forever, and that’s when we get the final page, the perspective has us looking up at them through the fire, where we see Lula’s burning away (borrowed) Jedi robes, as that’s what was left in the way of what she wants to be. Ever since they first met back in 2021’s The High Republic Adventures #1 – Phase I, these two have been navigating their feelings for one another, and as cathartic and joyful as it was to see them reunited finally in The High Republic Adventures #1 – Phase III, it’s almost hard to put into words how wonderful it is to see them understand who and what they really want and making it known to one another, no matter the consequences. It’s beautiful to see them come this far and make this choice and know that, whatever happens next, at least they’ll have one another through it all! Extra bonus, this issue also comes out during lesbian visibility week, so I don’t know if that was somehow planned or just the Force working in mysterious ways, but it certainly adds an air of destiny to it all.
Elisa Romboli returns with colorist Michael Atiyeh and letterers Tyler Smith & Jimmy Betancourt, closing out her time on the series, for now. Last issue I really liked the fire lit scene, as I felt like it meant Zeen knew who she was and what she wanted and the shadowy way we saw Lula meant she still had something to unpack, so you can imagine how glad I was Romboli and team returned to the imagery for the big moment this issue. For starters, whereas Lula barely turned around to look at Zeen last issue, the moment Zeen rounds the corner, Lula’s looking at her, therefore we see her in full color, not shadows like it was last issue, as this time she has nothing left to hide, she knows who she is and what she wants. The apprehension Romboli brings to Zeen’s face is exceptional, a stark contrast to Lula’s calmness, with an edge of assuredness under the eyes. Aityeh’s colors for the scene, lighting them both by the fire, keeps the moment, bright, happy (with Zeen’s coloring sort of matching the lesbian flag), so it makes it very impactful when Lula asks and Zeen says her many yes’s we see them holding one another, the fire the only light, their outlines filled in as all black, the same, one, together. What an image for them finally accepting their feelings for one another! And while the panels are close-ups of Zeen and Lula, so there isn’t much room, I enjoyed how Smith & Betancourt managed to sneak all the dialogue bubbles between the pair, like it’s words only for them, and then when the perspective pulls back for the final page, the words float all over, their connection open to any and all. The big two page spread, with several insert panels on top, as Zeen and Lula’s team goes after the turrets, is chaotic fun and I loved the dynamic look of the inserts and the way it felt like the main chaotic action was coming towards us readers. I like how little dialogue is in this assault, the character’s open mouth and the many blaster shots and sound FX “pews” which do all the talk here, as well as chaotic colors Atiyeh brings to the upper limits on the pages. We have been lucky with artists of THRA Phases and Romboli would be happily accepted back whenever and wherever she can fit it in her schedule!
Here are a few other things:
- Issue #6 looks to be a chance for our heroes, and us readers, to rest before the Nihil come knocking on Eriadu!
- Dark Horse’s The High Republic Adventures is the home to plenty of other stories in Phase III, some which have started and some yet to come: Saber for Hire #1 kicked off Ty Yorrick’s return to starring role in excellent fashion; we got our first details on Crash and Burn #1, the sequel to Crash Landing #1 which picks up after Crash Ongwa made the rash decision to free Krix Kamerat from prison to help defeat Marchion Ro. Artist Nick Brokenshire offered a sneak peek of his take on Crash for the issue and it looks fantastic!; and revealed alongside Crash and Burn #1’s solicit was a new miniseries, Echoes of Fear, from George Mann, which looks to fit in with his upcoming Tears of the Nameless novel. He’s promised more news about Echoes of Fear is on its way.
- We don’t find out in this issue why, but Older took the time to tease one of the prisoners, a masked woman seen in issue #4, might be someone to watch out for…
The High Republic Adventures #5 – Phase III beautifully culminates, this part of it at least, the story of Lula Talisola and Zeen Mrala’s relationship in an unforgettable fitting way.
+ Lula and Zeen choose each other in the most emotionally fitting way!
+ Giving the Nihil some of their due
+ Romboli can come back to Star Wars comics any time!!!
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Bluesky, Twitter @MynockManor, and Instagram @mynockmanor.
DISCLOSURE: I received a copy of this book 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
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