“Jedi’s End: The Fall”
Creative Staff:
Story: Cavan Scott
Art: Ario Anindito, Mark Morales
Colors: Carlos Lopez
Letterer: VC’s Ariana Maher
What They Say:
EVERYTHING CHANGES! Phase one of Star Wars: The High Republic reaches its galaxy-shaking conclusion. Only one person can save the Jedi from the mysterious monsters that stalk Starlight Beacon. Who will live and who will die?
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
This particular series, and overall arc, draws to a close with this issue and we do know that a new ongoing series is coming out later this year. Cavan Scott’s involvement in the novel side of all of this helps in filling in the blanks and expanding the stories overall and it’s worked well here, though reading them in a single or binge-style setting works out a lot better than on a monthly basis. Ario Anindito and Mark Morales bring things to a close with this installment as part of the rotation on this series and they’re working well with colorist Carlos Lopez, who has done a lot of work on the Star Wars properties in general to help keep to that familiar style and tone. I like the detail we get with all of the creatures with the Nihil and the layouts are pretty solid all-around so that it has a good flow to it that makes it engaging to read.
The situation on board the Starlight Beacon is pretty grim as the mysterious monster that’s impacting the Jedi is definitely making it really hard. We mostly see this through Keeve as she struggles under its thrall of it but it’s Sskeer that’s able to break through because of his connection to the Force being as diminished as it is. That saves not just her but helps Avar to stand tall amid this, though she’s certainly taken a hit. For Sskeer, this looks like the end for him, though we never see a body, as he stands to face off against the creature while the other two head to Maru to try and help out there and make sure the evacuation goes well. It’s a bit chaotic but it works well in conveying where everyone is and what they’re struggling with. Avar in particular is having a hard time with how badly everything has gone and it makes sense considering it feels like not that long ago that she was dedicating the opening of this facility.
There are a lot of other little moments going on here, such as Lourna making sure that her group is freed and making their move to survive, which means another Jedi death, but the main focus is with Keeve and Avar coming across Maru in the control center. It’s here that he’s using his immense Force powers to keep the station together, defying all forces pulling it apart, until everyone can escape. It’s a good piece that sets up the tension right even though you know how it’ll play out when it comes to characters like Keeve and Avar. But it delivers well in seeing how Maru is handling all of this and the way the bond between him and Avar is put to the test as it all becomes too much. Maru didn’t get much attention in the comics but with our focus on Avar it’s something that comes across honestly and will shape events going forward as she survives this catastrophe.
In Summary:
The first High Republic series is one that worked well enough for me overall but also reads better when you can just binge through a whole arc at a time. Admittedly, my mind has not wrapped around all of these characters at this point though I know who they are. For obvious reasons it doesn’t have the same resonance as the original works but I’m enjoying seeing more of this period, this flavor of Jedi, and the threats that they’re facing in both comic and novel form. Cavan Scott covered a lot in these storylines overall and I’m curious to see where the next series will go and if they’re able to start bringing things together in a really good way. It’s a solid piece with a lot of potential that does have me interested in more.
Grade: B
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: Marvel Comics
Release Date: March 2nd, 2022
MSRP: $3.99
