– Spoiler Review –
An Annual like nothing ever before it, as all five luminous authors behind The High Republic era join The High Republic Adventures Annual 2021 to spin us yarns from characters new and old, either expanding backstory or setting the stage for what’s to come in the era ahead. This is a real holiday gift for High Republic fans!!
“Set for Life” – Written by Charles Soule, Art by Sam Beck, Lettering by Johanna Nattalie
Jedi Master Loden Greatstorm and his Padawan Bell Zettifar were among many of the highlights in Charles Soule’s opening salvo novel, Light of the Jedi, making Loden’s capture and later fate, as well as Bell’s emotional journey, so potent in The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott. Anymore time with these two, before everything goes dusty, is a blessing and Soule’s short “Set for Life” doesn’t disappoint in that regard. It’s even more clear Greatstorm was the best of the Jedi at this point, making his sudden and devastating death hit even harder now, as his lessons here to Bell, and how he treats all those around him, make him just too damn good to live. It’s also clear Soule loves writing these two, as their dialogue falls right back into what made their pairing so special LotJ, while he lays the seeds for things to come for both of them. Bonus points for the Ember and Porter Engle content.
Sam Beck provides the wonderful and often delightful art for “Set for Life,” capturing the humor and relaxed nature between Padawan and Master. Everything about the way she draws Loden builds on his personality, from the draping robes, his calm face often hiding a sly smile, to the purposeful movements he makes, there’s a surety and power to Loden that adds so much more weight to his lessons with Bell. She also gave us some cute Ember content, which is about as important as it gets, so bravo on that front, while I really liked seeing a Vanguard for the first time! Nattalie’s lettering made the danger of the claustrophobic cave more urgency with her SFX, also sealing Loden’s fate with the big rumble after he pushes Bell out and finish the rescue by himself.
“No Stone Unturned” – Written by Claudia Gray, Art by Jason Loo, Colors by Megan Huang, Lettering by Neil Uyetake
As a fan of Into the Dark, Claudia Gray’s first entry in the era (and this being her second ahead of The Fallen Star in January 2022), Leox Gyasi, Affie Hallow, and Geode were big hits with me, our first main crew of non-Jedi or non-Nihil characters for the era. They had starring appearances in The High Republic Adventures series previously, of which “No Stone Unturned” takes place after, but it was fun to have them in the focus for this. The short is a tad chaotic, as it just loosely explains what’s going on when we enter in media res to their latest mission, but the personalities and interactions of this crew in the hands of their main creator lead to a funny, enjoyable, quick romp. It doesn’t add much to them, but just having more is enough for me, while it does seem to set the stage for their appearance in the upcoming Wave of content in January, likely in Gray’s novel TFS.
The art team of Jason Loo and Megan Huang recently delighted in the back-up story for Star Wars Adventures Annual 2021 and they continue to impress here. I particularly enjoyed Huang’s colors, as it doesn’t initially make sense or seems like an odd choice until the reality of situation the Vessel’s crew finds themselves in becomes clear: it’s almost sunset, an important time on this particular day for the locals, and the subdued colors, capturing sunset in all its beauty, flesh out the story of the short so much more on rereading it; the final panel, where sunlight imbues the celebrations with bright, almost blinding light, adds to their jolly. Loo’s style for the crew doesn’t veer much from established looks, but he does make them look at some of their best in a visual medium, especially that hunk (of rock) Geode! I loved the design of the maze and the local’s worship area, as well as finally getting to see Geode party like we always hear about. Uyetake’s letters, which starts with the cool rocked out title, allow the story to really unfold with the dialogue just out of the way enough for the art to do most of the talking.
“First Mission” – Written by Justina Ireland, Art by Yael Nathan, Lettering by Neil Uyetake
There are a lot of characters in The High Republic initiative that I’ve come to love and Vernestra Rwoh is one of the top five, cemented after her time in Out of the Shadows. With “First Mission,” as the name implies, we go back in time to when Vernestra and Jedi Master Stellan Gios meet for the very first time! Stellan and Vernestra’s relationship hasn’t always gotten lots of page-time but it’s a great connection for the two as their paths stray along what the Force wants, so seeing the fruition of their successful and important connection was a stellar way by Justina Ireland to build both characters. With Vernestra, we see her quick thinking and already impressive Force abilities, as she knocks Gios on his butt when he asks to spar with her when they first meet, and how working with her Master could help hone those, ensuring he’s not the cause of her abilities, just a conduit of them. And with Stellan, we see a cheerier and youthful version of him, before the weight of leadership in the uncertain times the Nihil bring makes him more withdrawn, and how good of a teacher he is, trusting Vernestra from the moment they meet. The political part of “First Mission,” with regards to a treaty between the Hynestian Royals and the Hutts, isn’t very clear and doesn’t get much expansion, but it’s fine since the start Vern and Stellan’s careers together starts off in such an honest, hopeful way.
Artist Yael Nathan previous drew a “Tales of Villainy” for Star Wars Adventures (Vol. 2) and some excellent variant covers for the first five issues of The High Republic Adventures, so it was neat to finally have him in the series proper, drawing “First Mission.” He’s got a great style, it’s bright, playful, and makes the limited action look fast and forceful. The playful look he brings to Stellan and Vernestra’s faces matches with the writing for these at this time in their lives, neither yet changed by the Nihil’s invasion to the relative peace of the galaxy. Uyetake gets to provide some SFX for this story, adding to the action with some fun, resourceful effects, like the “fwoosh” for Vern as she cuts down a tapestry to trap some of the shooters at the party.
“Crash and the Crew Do What They Do” – Written by Daniel José Older, Art by Jesse Lonergan, Lettering by Jake M. Wood
With “Crash and the Crew Do What They Do,” we’re introduced to some new characters for the era, a security team on Corellia in charge of protecting visiting Chancellor Lina Soh, and they seem like a fun, competent bunch I look forward to seeing more of in future works by Daniel José Older (like Midnight Horizon in February). First there’s their leader, Alys “Crash” Ongwa, alongside her trusty droid K8, who is actually a reference to Doctor Aphra writer and talented scribe Alyssa “Crash” Wong!; then the Dowutin Fezzonk; Smeemarm, an Arcona; a Wookiee; Ovarto, a new species that looks like a walking dog with horns and a swear-filled mouth; Barchibar, a Weequay; and lastly Prybolt and their Corellian hounds, like Moloch from Solo: A Star Wars Story. They don’t all get a chance to shine, but “Crash” brings some humor to the tale as she’s caught narrating her life, while her leadership results in a happy ending. That’s when we catch up with the Nihil side of things, Respriler and Sabata Krill, continuing a thread about a potential attack on Corellia from the recent The High Republic Adventures #11.
This is a fun short on its own, but it’s the way Jesse Lonergan presents it which takes it to the next level, with unique panel layouts not often seen in Star Wars comics, with big circles and long panels taking up most pages, action unfolding in small, surrounding panels like some artistic Venn Diagram. That might not sound fun, but it really is, while it’s impressive in its designs with how it’s able to pull you around the page in the right order. There’s a good sense of scale, from packed crowds to small buildings to highlight how high Fezzonk is flying, while the lack of color in some places helps highlight and move your eyes along the panel to mimic the effect of it moving in real life. Jake M. Wood, one of IDW’s most frequent Star Wars letterers helps wonderfully with moving readers eyes across the unique pages, while the SFX for the exploding droids seems to crackle.
“The Haul” – Written by Cavan Scott, Art by Stefano Simeone, Lettering by Nathan Widick
For fans of Porter Engle, this issue was a feast, much like his amazing meals likely are! Lourna Dee joins a group of Nihil attacking a treasure trove, hoping to claim the spoils, but instead they find a surprise: it’s a trap and Porter Engle, the Blade of Bardotta, awaits them! Engle’s decimation of the Nihil is very, very short, given his skills and the panel-space, but kinetic and suitably epic, but Dee pulls a General Grievous before it’s fashionable and gets out when she realizes no one is really a match for Engle. Considering Dee is with Muglan at this point, we know the story takes place after Tempest Runner, Scott’s recent audiobook, though where it fits with the current The High Republic comic also under Scott’s pen isn’t as clear, but not very important in the end.
Stefano Simeone’s art is a very different style, almost scratchy in appearance, and it’s often uneasy to follow what’s all happening in a panel, where characters blend together and don’t take solid shape. It’s not all difficult to follow, while Porter looks imposing, jolly, and threatening at the same time, which is fitting for the character, and should be the look of the new Santa Claus at this point.
Here are a few other things:
- I sort of forgot The High Republic’s first story launched in 2020, an Insider short story on December 15. So in a way, since this released December 15, 2021, it’s an Annual in more ways than one. (Credit to bhx_1138)
- Curious about the High Republic’s storyline? Manor writer Chris, alongside @bhx_1138 on Twitter, have developed a living document regarding broad strokes of the era’s timeline. Great for new and old readers alike, give it a look!
- Just last week, a video game set within the High Republic era, was announced at The Game Awards: Star Wars Eclipse. As exciting as the idea of a new Star Wars video game is, especially one set in such a stellar era for the Saga, the developers behind it are led by founders who run a toxic workplace and express queerphobic and hurtful comments. It’s a poor choice by Lucasfilm Games to team with Quantic Dream on this project, given the inclusive distinction of this era from the wonderful Luminous team, who by all reports aren’t involved with the game. One can be excited about the prospect of the game, but not considering what message this sends to LGBTQIA+ members of the Star Wars community, and to LGBTQIA+ in general, would go against everything this Saga stands for. There’s a growing movement on Twitter, hashtag BlackoutStarWarsEclipse, to show support for the community and hopefully help Lucasfilm see the error of their decision, so please help spread the word to help this already marginalized community feel more accepted despite LFL’s choices.
The High Republic Adventures Annual 2021 brings the whole luminous team together for a stellar issue of fun short tales within the era, expanding on new and old characters while exploring more of the era.
+ Loden and Bell together again / Vern & Stellan Meeting / Vessel crew shenanigans
+ Each writer brings something special to the era despite the short page count
+ Art teams bring unique styles, pages/panels
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.
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