Comics The High Republic by Cavan Scott (Marvel comic book series)

Wonder if the Sorcerers' activity in the Outer Rim is going to be revealed as the reason for the Path of the Open Hand's existence or at least its radicalization against Force-users.

 

I could see that. Heck, the Dank Graks are a dark side group consisting entirely of the cast offs of other, more skilled dark side groups, so apparently there are a lot of dark siders out there and I could see a lot of people's only experience with the force being its worst aspects.

 

IMO, it will be very cool if the conflict in Phase II will be multi-sided, with the Jedi, the Path and dark side groups fighting with each other.

 

I'm just waiting for a high republic iteration of the Knights of ren to be thrown into the mix

 

Phase 2 issue #1 out today.

It's a good start. This phase has me really excited for Jedha and I was not disappointed.

Spoiler

A lot of this phase feels like it's going to hinge on interreligious strife. The Path of the Open Hand is obviously going to be a major driver of that, but what we see in this issue shows that even in the Holy City of Jedha many Force traditions are in conflict with each other.

Including within the Convocation of the Force intended to promote peace and unity between religions!

We have Cavan Scott doing what Luceno used to do best, incorporating disparate EU references. The Fallanassi White Current is back, the Bpfasshi, Sorcerers of Tund, the Matukai(though I was expecting that Kel Dor to be one of the Baran-Do Sages). Morichro was referenced.

Got a nice bit on that giant Jedi statue from Rogue One.

Can't wait for #2!

 

Yep good issue

Spoiler

They introduced a lot in this issue. They mentioned that the Jedi used to govern or 'rule' Jedha. I imagine that is further indication that the Jedi and Republic are rediscovering the galaxy rather than establishing their presence for the very first time.
I'm wondering if over the next 150 years a lot of these other force religions will be brought into the Jedi Order. And that's why many of these weren't around while Phase I was going on.

 

Spoiler

The other religions of Force users could be around in phase 1, I just doubt they are as numerous as the Jedi. The Jedi Order is pretty good at scooping up Force-sensitives in early childhood. Plus, we haven't been to Jedha at all in Phase 1. It was mentioned a couple times, but never visited.

 

Spoiler

Well, seeing Jawas on Jedha was even more unexpected than death of the protagonist in the first issue.

Seems like the one from the flashback is a renegade, while the Sorcerers of Tund in general are a peaceful faction (or it is only seems like that), interesting. Fallanassi appearing was rather unexpected too. What was expected is that various Force-cults, gathered in one place, will start accusing others for using the Dark Side.

 

Spoiler

Was the part with Oliviah Zeveron considered to be a flashback?

 

Spoiler

Seems like it was just a parallel storyline.

 

The vibe I'm getting is that they are likely offering "snake oil" to the galaxy. Taking that supposition with a speculative hint from the first title out for phase 2 - Path of Deceit - my thinking right now is we are going to learn how the Jedi addressed the competing applications/usage/understandings of the Force throughout the GFFA. So far, it feels like the Story Group is using phase 2 to show us the "in-between" of the Light and Dark, some of it will be innocuous, and in some instances, dangerous!

 

Looking at the schedule at the end of the first issue it looks like this specific series is only going to be ten issues long. Which makes sense if there are only going to be two waves to Phase II.

 

Excellent, that'll be two trades then.

With the first likely including Gray's one-shot.

 

Wonder how this series is going to overlap with The Battle of Jedha audio drama.

 

Isn't Grey's one shot a High Republic Adventures at Dark Horse?

 

Oh yeah, forgot that. Hopefully it gets bundled with the HRA trade then.

 

Well Phase II will be wrapping up right around Celebration time (believe Cataclysm comes out that week). Hoping they have a big panel that gives a hint about what they are planning after High Republic is over but I am sure they won't do that as they likely wouldn't want to give too many hints about post High Republic plans until Phase III is over. If they came out at Celebration and said their next initiative takes place in 10,000 BBY all people would be talking about while reading Phase III stuff is 10,000 BBY.

 

Spoiler

For what it is worth, the majority of these religions were around during the OT in legends.

Admittedly we didn't see any force religions on Jedha in Rogue One besides the Guardians of the Whils, just regular type religions, but since canon has gone the approach of the empire suppressing even basic knowledge of the force, that might just be the work of Inquisitors and Purge Troopers - most of these religions were mentioned as being persecuted by the empire in legends as well.

Also, man am I glad for having more evidence for the "rediscovery" interpretation of the High Republic.

 

Yeah I am sure that the High Republic authors know that it would never work to have the Jedi and Republic spreading throughout the galaxy for the very first time just a few hundred years before the movies.

I have read/watched that they originally played around with the idea of having the story take place in 10,000 BBY. Perhaps they were throwing out ideas of the galaxy being brought together by the Jedi at that point in time. And once they decided to move it closer to the films they kept those same basic ideas but changed it to the Republic/Jedi rediscovering the galaxy after a great war that almost wiped them out.

They can't just outright say that this is happening because they have to tell the story from the perspective of these characters and the characters generally aren't going to bring up in normal conversation things that happened thousands of years in the past.

 

Feels like I just yesterday speculated on

Spoiler

Fallanassi during the High Republic and voila, there they are

! Loved this issue!

 

Good point.

I hadn't heard that, but it makes sense they considered different time periods before settling on the current one. Very interesting all around. Oh, to be a fly on the wall for those conversations.

True. Unless they make a history nerd character.

Spoiler

Not nearly as pacifist as I remember though. Think it is because this is earlier in their history or is it a difference between the continuities.

 

Well the pacifism was more fake always as it turned out and only to probably throw the Empire or anybody off their trail. At least even in Legends their pacifism was mostly hyperbole and less practical.

 

I see. I confess I have read about them but never read any of the works they actually appeared in.

 

Solicit for issue #4:

Spoiler: issue #4

STAR WARS: THE HIGH REPUBLIC #4
CAVAN SCOTT (W) • ANDREA BROCCARDO (A) • Cover by ARIO ANINDITO
Variant Cover by BENGAL • Variant Cover by MARGUERITE SAUVAGE

VIOLENCE COMES TO JEDHA!
• The Temple of the Whills has been attacked, Vildar Mac critically injured in the blast. Is Tey Sirrek to blame?
• The Herald of the Open Hand has arrived to address the Convocation, but just what is the nameless horror that lurks in the streets of the Holy City?
• The Battle of Jedha begins here!

32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

 

Spoiler

Poor Mac, he is already dead, but will be injured too as well.

So, it is now confirmed that this series will include the Battle of Jedha.