Lucasfilm revealed the first comics in Phase II of its High Republic storytelling, which is titled Quest of the Jedi, at Star Wars Celebration in Anaheim this week. The Phase II storyline will take place 150 years before the start of Phase I, when technology is less advanced and the galactic communication system is less developed. The comics are one part of a major publishing program across categories.
In conjunction with the reveal, Marvel Comics announced two new series, one ongoing and one miniseries. Star Wars: The High Republic – The Blade, by Charles Soule and Marco Castiello, will explore the backstory of Jedi-turned-cook Porter Engle, also known as the Blade of Bardotta. The four-issue miniseries, launching this Fall, will also include the origin of the Barash Vow, linking the story to Soule’s Darth Vader comics.
Marvel will also launch a new Star Wars: The High Republic ongoing series, written by Cavan Scott with art by Ario Anindito, in October. The series will introduce Jedi Vildar Mac, who arrives on Jedha, a planet rich in its connection to the Force that’s central for every major faith in the Galaxy, as its peace begins to crumble.
A new Dark Horse Comics’ Star Wars series was also teased at SWCA, part of its new line of all-ages Star Wars comics and graphic novels (see “Dark Horse to Publish All-Ages Star Wars Comics and Graphic Novels“). The company will launch Star Wars: The Nameless Terror, a miniseries written by George Mann with art by Eduardo Mello and Ornella Savarese.
As was the case in 2020, when Phase I of the High Republic publishing program was announced (see “’Star Wars: The High Republic’ Publishing Campaign“), comics are only one part of a larger plan for Star Wars: High Republic releases. Phase I releases will continue through 2022, leading to the release of the first comics and novel in Phase II this Fall. Here’s what’s in the pipeline (covers in the Gallery below):
- Star Wars: The High Republic – Convergence, novel by Zoraida Cordova (October 4, 2022)
- Star Wars: The High Republic – Quest of the Hidden City, by George Mann (October 4, 2022)
- Star Wars: The High Republic Path of Deceit, novel by Tessa Gratton and Justina Ireland, is the first Phase II novel. Planned for release November 1, 2022, it’s technically Book 4 of 4 in the Star Wars: The High Republic young adult hardcover series.
- The Art of Star Wars: The High Republic (Phase One), concept art book by Kristin Baver (November 8, 2022)
- Star Wars: The High Republic – the Battle of Jedha, written by George Mann (audio book January 3, 2023, script February 14, 2023)
- Star Wars: The High Republic – Cataclysm, by Lydia Kang; Star Wars: The High Republic – Quest for Planet X, by Tessa Gratton, and Star Wars: The High Republic – Path of Vengeance, by Cavan Scott (all undated)
Click on Gallery below for full-size images.
Source: ICv2
