The Jedi’s End storyline in Star Wars: The High Republic #13 has reached its climax with an undercover mission, an initial battle, and now what looks like a beginning of the final battle against the Nihil! Last issue re:cap - the battle’s aftermath has effects on Marshall Avar Kriss, Jedi Master Sskeer, and Jedi Knight Keeve Trennis. Avar wants to lead a mission against the Nihil with the stolen path drive on their ship, the Ataraxia, she has lost the Nihil leader, Lourna Dee, whom escaped. Sskeer has lost his status as a Jedi since his Magrak Syndrome causes his aggression. Keeve is sad at the exposure of the Jedi twins to the box weapon used by Lourna Dee. They all head to the rumored Nihil base located in No-Space. I keep having the thought that I would like to see action figures of Keeve, Avar, Goonral, would a Sskeer have a detachable arm?
The Phil Noto cover has Avar Kriss extending her hand with the Force and deflecting blaster fire with her lightsaber in the other hand. “The Battle of No-Space” is written by Cavan Scott and the artist is Ario Anindito, he returns after proving art for issue #10. It begins with the Great Hall base in No-Space, Zeetar, the Talpini Tempest Runner, is arguing with Marchion Ro, the Eye of the Nihil, via hologram. They have tested Ro’s weapon, but Zeetar worries about the Jedi. A ship is detected by by the tech Quin. It is the Ataraxia! Zeetar wants to cut and run, but Lourna wants to stay and fight. He thinks the Jedi will not strike first and then the Jedi ship fires on the base! The words of Yoda come to mind, “A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense, never for attack.” Lourna has Zeetar protect the base while she runs to get something.
The Nihil get ready on both sides of a corridor, a little shade of the Rebel troops in Star Wars (1977). They wonder if Lourna will arrive, but Zeetar says she will be at the launch bay. They release the war cloud, the green gas that is at the beginning of the Nihil attacks, it disrupts ship systems and can knock out people. Zeetar has his Tempest wait until a lightsaber blade cuts into the door. A splash page has the first time we see the Jedi this issue; Avar Kriss sending the war cloud away from them with the Force, Keeve Trennis on her right crouched with her lightsaber, Goonral Monshi on her left, the only Jedi with a blue lightsaber, and Sskeer above them. Avar slams Quin against the wall with the ominious order, “Take them.” Then, she slices into the Nihil with her lightsaber. Avar recognizes Zeetar who says the Jedi Twin, Terec, was “husked.”
He uses a flamer, but Avar uses the Force to sweep away the flames and then coldly shatters the Nihil’s tank to engulf him in fire! Does this conflict push the Jedi into becoming Sith or the Lost Twenty like Dooku? Avar tells the others to deal with the other Nihil as she moves on to face Lourna Dee. Sskeer has Keeve watch after Avar. Keeve remarks that Avar took away Sskeer’s lightsaber when he raged and says she is the same while casually knocking back a Nihil. This gets the two Jedi crossing lightsaber blades! This seems like a turning point for these Jedi. Avar does not order Keeve to stand down, but says she questions the “Song of the Force.” Keeve gives her a Force Push wondering if she is following the Force. She brings up the concern of Council member Stellan Gios and Starlight Beacon head of operations Estala Maru. Avar tries to warn Keeve, but an explosion knocks her down.
It is Lourna Dee in Zeetar’s power armor, a mecha suit with several armaments and a red-bladed weapon! Avar summons her lightsaber ready for the fight. Avar leaps above the blade and cuts it away. Lourna orders all of the Nihil ships to fire on the base! The explosions scatter the Nihil inside the Great Hall. Lourna sprays Marshal Kriss with the war cloud. She is vicious in tossing away her people to get the win. She raises the arms of the power armor above Avar. The Jedi Master is sad apologizing to the unconscious form of Keeve. Then, in a stunning two page splash, we have her rip apart Lourna Dee from the power suit! Avar asks for the surrender of the Nihil leader activating her lightsaber. Lourna responds bringing down the lightsaber of Terec! This stuns Avar. The Jedi Master answers with a Cho mai, severing Lourna’s lightsaber wielding hand! It looks like Avar Kriss may have turned to the Dark Side! I like the focus on one character with allies and enemies. Star Wars: The High Republic #13 has a Jedi Master pushed to the edge to defeat the Nihil!
Five Lightsabers out of Five!
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