REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: The High Republic,’ Issue #14

Star Wars: The High Republic #14 is written by Star Wars lore guru Cavan Scott while Ario Anindito provides art, ink by Mark Morales, colors by Carlos Lopez, letters by Ariana Maher, and cover art by Phil Noto. Published by Marvel Comics, Star Wars: The High Republic #14 continues the Jedi assault on the Nihil in No-Space. The day may yet go to the Jedi, but at what cost?

Previously in Star Wars: The High Republic #13, Jedi Master Avar Kriss led a team of Jedi to put an end to Tempest Runner Lourna Dee against the orders of the Jedi Council. Slowly but surely, Avar Kriss has been losing sight of herself as the tragedies at the hands of the Nihil continue to mount across the galaxy. As soon as the former Mashal of Starlight Beacon stepped on the Nihil ship, she had no interest in prisoners as she began to murder the Nihil attempting to stop the Jedi. Her fury rivaled that of Sskeer early in the series dealing with Magrak Syndrome taking her closer and closer to the Dark side.

Star Wars: The High Republic #14 opens with Avar Kriss ready to deal a death blow to the unarmed and defeated Lourna Dee. Just before the final blow falls, Jedi Knight Keeve Trennis intervenes. Just as she has done with her Master Sskeer, Trennis is able to bring Kriss back to her senses. Cunning as ever, Lourna Dee attempts to take Trennis hostage Kriss’s moment of hesitation. Kriss is able to free Trennis and finally take the Tempest Runner and the other Nihil into custody. The group of Jedi leaves No Space to head back to Starlight Beacon.

While the next issue has me counting the days until March to see the climax at Starlight Beacon, Star Wars: The High Republic #14 shines in the time that it spends in No Space. Artist Ario Anindito and the rest of the art team absolutely deliver stunning art on the Nihil vessel. Aninditio can capture the descent into darkness that Kriss feels in a way that makes her look more menacing than even Lourna Dee, who looks scarier than we have ever seen her. The clear foil between the two makes for page gripping tension and it really is uncertain whether or not she will actually deliver the final blow.

Thankfully for the Jedi as a whole, writer Cavan Scott has given Star Wars fans one of the best Jedi I have ever seen in Keeve Trennis. Despite being largely uncertain of herself throughout much of the Star Wars: The High Republic, Trennis still embodies the tenants of “Light and Life” even in the darkest moments. It allows her to pull not only her Trandoshan Master back to the Light but also THE Jedi Master, who is supposed to be the pinnacle of the Jedi Order in Avar Kriss. Her growth over the past fourteen issues is astounding, and as she becomes more sure of herself, the closer she becomes to being a Jedi Master in her own right. I have to imagine that her time to decide the fate of the millions in the galaxy is quickly approaching.

The rest of Star Wars: The High Republic #14 begins the series of events from The Fallen Star by Claudia Gray from the perspective of the Jedi who traveled to No Space. If you aren’t caught up on the novels, then Star Wars: The High Republic #14 is a great way to jump into the absolute chaos that awaits Kriss, Sskeer, Trennis, and company at Starlight Beacon. With one issue left in phase 1, Star Wars: The High Republic will likely end the phase with a bang, and I can’t wait to see it.

Star Wars: The High Republic #14 continues a near-flawless run of issues. Even as a mission that takes place away from the initial events of The Fallen Star, Cavan Scott brings the same intensity and intrigue that you can expect from the novelizations. Then just when you think that the darkness has subsided in our Jedi heroes, Scott brings another cliffhanger that leaves you on the edge of your seat. The stage is set for Scott and the art team to deliver a horror-filled issue next month.

Star Wars: The High Republic #14 is available now wherever comics are sold.