STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC

RELEASED OUT NOW! Publisher Marvel

Writer Cavan Scott

Artist Ario Anindito

Star Wars has been in need of fresh territory to explore for a while, and its latest publishing venture is a cross-media event that’s giving us just that, taking us to an era when the Jedi were at the height of their powers.

Set two centuries before the classic trilogy, The High Republic has already kicked off in two novels, and the saga continues in this Marvel ongoing series. It’s the story of newly appointed Jedi Knight Keeve Trennis as she joins the crew of the Starlight Beacon, a space station that’s aiming to bring law and order to the Outer Rim.

This involves plenty of intrigue, monsters and lightsaber combat; writer Cavan Scott is channelling the anything-can-happen luridness of Marvel’s original ’70s Star Wars comic here. The series has a colourful sense of energy and pace, while Ario Anindito’s art delivers a blend of sci-fi splendour and impactful action.

Weirdly, however, it’s not as welcoming as it could be for readers new to the whole High Republic concept – elements like “the Great Disaster” and the villainous Nihil are barely explained, for example. But despite these teething problems, this is entertaining proof that you don’t need endless continuity references or call-backs for a story to feel like “proper” Star Wars.

Saxon Bullock