REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: The High Republic,’ Issue #12

Star Wars: The High Republic #12 is written by Star Wars lore staple Cavan Scott while Georges Jeanty provides art, ink by Karl Story, colors by Carlos Lopez, letters by Ariana Maher, and cover art by Phil Noto. Published by Marvel Comics, Star Wars: The High Republic #12 follows the aftermath of Marshal Avar Kriss’s gambit to locate the Nihil. With the return of Lourna Dee and a Jedi-killing weapon, the Jedi are desperate to stop the Nihil once and for all.

The end of Star Wars: The High Republic #11  was a lot, to say the least. Marshal Avar Kriss’s plan to locate the Nihil by sending Jedi Knight’s Keeve Trennis and Terec to infiltrate the marauders ended in disaster. Lourna Dee, who the Jedi thought had long been dead, returned to claim her place as Tempest Runner, seemingly seeing straight through the Jedi’s deception.  The Tempest Runner unleashed the Leveler, a powerful weapon that reduced the twin Terec and Ceret to husks similar to that of Loden Greatstorm in Cavan Scott’s The Rising Storm. 

Star Wars: The High Republic #12 opens with members of the Starlight Beacon led by Marshal Avar Kriss discussing relief efforts with Jedi Master Stellan Gios of the Jedi Council. Panels flip between the feats the Starlight Beacon is able to accomplish through humanitarian missions while also showing the final moments of Marshal Avar Kriss’s and Jedi Master Sskeer’s rescue of Trennis and Terec. While Kriss and Gios speak, it is clear that there are tensions brewing within the ranks of the Jedi.

The Starlight Beacon is able to do tremendous good for the galaxy, answering the call of numerous natural disasters. However, following the events of Star Wars: The High Republic #11, Kriss believes the Jedi should be pursuing the Nihil as their top priority. This is seemingly in contrast to the will of the Jedi Council on Coruscant as Master Gios, a long-time friend of Kriss, advises for patience in their next plan of attack. Avar Kriss is set on continuing with her own plans to stop Lourna Dee and the Nihil once and for all.

Throughout the High Republic publications, fans have experienced the Jedi united against the Drengir and the Nihil. Two unrelenting threats that have required the Jedi to do the impossible, but still they stood united in a way never seen before.  Now, the disconnect between the Starlight Beacon and the Jedi Council on Courscant feels very reminiscent of the crumbling Jedi Order during the events of the Skywalker Saga. The Jedi on the frontlines are eager to act against a threat that has taken the lives of thousands while the Order on Courscant is content to stand idle while the Force’s will unfolds.

While Star Wars: The High Republic #12 is a slower issue compared to the action-packed arcs of “The Heart of the Drengir” and “The Shadow of the Nihil,” it certainly has the “Jedi’s End” off to a great start. Writer Scott seems to be weaving in the possible biggest threat to the Jedi; the Jedi themselves. If Marshal Avar Kriss, one of the most respected Jedi and hero of numerous events throughout Phase 1 of the High Republic can be led astray by her emotions, what hope does the rest of the order have?

The art team continues to deliver on this pain and anguish that Avar Kriss, Keeve Trennis, and Sskeer are dealing with even without the type of action that readers have seen in previous issues. While the Nihil’s actions have taken a physical toll on the Jedi, it’s the Order’s inability to be on the same page that might spell their doom in this era. Panel after panel, those wounds are deepening.

Scott has this new arc off to a stellar start. Slowing the pace down has allowed the tension to build in the “Jedi’s End” arc. The seeds of something more dangerous than the Drengir or Nihil have been planted and I worry for the future of great Jedi like Avar Kriss. As Trennis continues to be the reader’s focal point, it may be up to her to bring Avar Kriss and Sskeer back to the will of the Force.

Star Wars: The High Republic #12 is available now wherever comics are sold.