Marvel High Republic Issues 7-9 Review [Spoilers]
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In Issues 7 through 9 of the Marvel High Republic series by Cavan Scott we get the end of the first arc and the start of the second, with the focus switching from the Drengir to the Nihil, and Keeve Trennis tested further still.
Issue 7
Writer: Cavan Scott Art: P. Noto, G. Jeanty, K. Story, A. Leoni
After the events of issue 6 I expected that we would be going to the Drengir home world in this chapter, and 7 really seems to slow the pace of the story down.
Instead we focus on Keeve who is suffering from the after effects of her connection to the Drengir. When she meditates she has visions of them and a Sith - Darth Krall, which begs the question why? Could he have something to do with the creation of the Drengir or their defeat? Could he be one of the lost twenty? It’s certainly a mystery that is not answered at this moment in time.
Keeve is fighting the Nihil on Chortose, an agricultural world, when Orla Jareni arrives, who was also in her vision, it’s always fun when a character from somewhere else in the High Republic shows up when you’re not expecting it, and Orla’s arrival is one I was particularly happy to see. Interestingly the Wayseeker Jedi says the force led her to a Jedi in danger of losing herself.
The comic ends with Keeve revealing the Drengir root-mind still speaks to her, with the mic drop stunning full page image of Avar Kriss’ skeleton infested with Drengir, an ominous view of the future?
🌕🌕🌕🌗🌑/5
Issue 8
Writer: Cavan Scott Art: P. Noto, A. Anindito, M. Morales, A. Leoni
The action picks up on Mulita, the homeworld of the Drengir with the Jedi and Hutt Cartel in the midst of battle with the Drengir and immediately we get an incredible double page depicting this fight.
Myarga and Sskeer are both trapped by the Drengir and it’s at this moment that Keeve and Orla arrive into the battle, it’s great seeing Cohmac Vitus and Reath Silas make an appearance. Terec tells Keeve that Avar Kriss went to confront the Great Progenitor, and the two head off to find her. Avar has been taken and infested by the Great Progenitor, who wants to use her ability to connect the Jedi but Keeve reveals she knew this and it was a mistake, Avar is able to provide a focal point for the Jedi to capture the original Drengir in a stasis field. The Hutts want to kill it but the Jedi won’t let them, and this shows an important characteristic of the Jedi at this time, as they seek to protect even their enemies, and the story ends with them learning of the devastation at Valo. This was an action packed issue with some amazing art, and for me is one of the very best issues of the whole comic run so far, and feels like the end of an arc, with the Drengir threat resolved (for now?).
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌗/5
Issue 9
Writer: Cavan Scott Art: P. Noto, A. Anindito, M. Morales, R. Rosenberg
The first issue of a new arc and the Jedi are hunting down the Nihil, Orla Jareni sweeps a system, and an unknown narrator expresses admiration for her, before attacking her, their Nihil ship emerging from a hyperspace path. The page turn, reveals Keeve & Terec piloting the ship dressed as Nihil, red lightning bolts on their faces!
In a flashback to Starlight, we see the assembled Jedi receive a briefing from Stellan Gios back on Coruscant, Lourna Dee is believed dead, and Stellan and Avar disagree over what to do, this is one of the first times we see real disagreement within the Jedi’s ranks, both Avar and Keeve want to be more offensive.
The attack my Keeve & Terec is obviously staged to help them infiltrate the Nihil but is executed so well that it does not matter to the reader. The Nihil rescue the undercover Jedi and demand to know their Tempest, Keeve claims they are from Pan Eyta’s Tempest. Tempest Runner Zeetar demands Keeve kill a prisoner to prove herself, revealing a captured Myarga the Hutt.
This is a terrific start to the new arc, one which will obviously test Keeve’s morals and how far she is willing to go to defeat the Nihil. You have to wonder, having first been infested by the Drengir and now infiltrating the Nihil, where her breaking point will be, will she be able to stay on the light side of the force?
I’d also like to shout out Phil Noto’s incredible cover art here, he always brings it, but this one I am seriously considering hanging on my wall.
🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑/5
Jonny O
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