It’s time to return to a Galaxy Far, Far Away only this time, we are headed back long before the events of Star Wars: The Phantom Menace to what is described as a golden age for the Jedi Order. Labeled Star Wars The High Republic, this new publishing initiative is set to explore a brand new era for the very first time in Star Wars canon and it’s one fans will certainly not want to miss out on.
However, following the remarkably exciting ending of the second season of The Mandalorian on Disney+ there has been a lot of news that might be difficult to follow. To that end, we’ve put together a comprehensive walkthrough of what you need to know to get started in The High Republic era and what to dive into as new comics, novels and more begin releasing this month.
While not all of the releases have been confirmed, Lucasfilm has established that there will be three phases of The High Republic, titled Light of the Jedi, Quest of the Jedi, and Trials of the Jedi. The first phase, Light of the Jedi, begins this month and will run for about two years before transitioning into the second phase and hints that the entire initiative could last up to six years in total.
Star Wars: The High Republic has been described as taking place “centuries” before the events of The Phantom Menace though some stories have been confirmed to take place as recently as 50 years before the Episode 1. As we move forward there will likely be a more definitive timeline established.
Below you will find a list of the originally announced Phase One novels and comics that will begin to bring this new era of Star Wars into the light. These projects were revealed before the official Launch Day that took place on January 4th, 2021.
Star Wars: The High Republic Books
Star Wars: The High Republic: The Light of the Jedi
By Charles Soule
Available: January 5, 2021
Long before the First Order, before the Empire, before even The Phantom Menace . . . Jedi lit the way for the galaxy in The High Republic
It is a golden age. Intrepid hyperspace scouts expand the reach of the Republic to the furthest stars, worlds flourish under the benevolent leadership of the Senate, and peace reigns, enforced by the wisdom and strength of the renowned order of Force users known as the Jedi. With the Jedi at the height of their power, the free citizens of the galaxy are confident in their ability to weather any storm But the even brightest light can cast a shadow, and some storms defy any preparation.
When a shocking catastrophe in hyperspace tears a ship to pieces, the flurry of shrapnel emerging from the disaster threatens an entire system. No sooner does the call for help go out than the Jedi race to the scene. The scope of the emergence, however, is enough to push even Jedi to their limit. As the sky breaks open and destruction rains down upon the peaceful alliance they helped to build, the Jedi must trust in the Force to see them through a day in which a single mistake could cost billions of lives.
Even as the Jedi battle valiantly against calamity, something truly deadly grows beyond the boundary of the Republic. The hyperspace disaster is far more sinister than the Jedi could ever suspect. A threat hides in the darkness, far from the light of the age, and harbors a secret that could strike fear into even a Jedi’s heart.
Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage
By Justina Ireland
Available: January 5, 2021
Long before the Clone Wars, the Empire, or the First Order, the Jedi lit the way for the galaxy in a golden age known as the High Republic!
Vernestra Rwoh is a new Jedi Knight at age sixteen, but her first real assignment feels an awful lot like babysitting. She’s been charged with supervising twelve-year old aspiring inventor Avon Starros on a cruiser headed to the dedication of a wondrous new space station called Starlight Beacon.
But soon into their journey, bombs go off aboard the cruiser. While the adult Jedi try to save the ship, Vernestra, Avon, Avon’s droid J-6, a Jedi Padawan, and an ambassador’s son make it to an escape shuttle, but communications are out and supplies are low. They decide to land on a nearby moon, which offers shelter but not much more. And unbeknownst to them, danger lurks in the forest?
Star Wars: The High Republic: The Great Jedi Rescue
By Cavan Scott
Available: January 5, 2021
Meet the noble and wise Jedi of the High Republic!
When a disaster strikes in hyperspace, putting the people of Hetzal Prime in grave danger, only the Jedi of the High Republic can save the day!
Star Wars: The High Republic: Into the Dark
By Claudia Gray
Available: February 2, 2021
Padawan Reath Silas is being sent from the cosmopolitan galactic capital of Coruscant to the undeveloped frontier — and he couldn’t be less happy about it. He’d rather stay at the Jedi Temple, studying the archives. But when the ship he’s traveling on is knocked out of hyperspace in a galactic-wide disaster, Reath finds himself at the center of the action. The Jedi and their traveling companions find refuge on what appears to be an abandoned space station. But then strange things start happening, leading the Jedi to investigate the truth behind the mysterious station, a truth that could end in tragedy….
Star Wars: The High Republic Comics
Star Wars: The High Republic (Marvel)
By Cavan Scott (writer) and Ario Anindito (artist)
Available: January 6, 2021
BEFORE THE SKYWALKER SAGA! THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE JEDI! A new era of Star Wars storytelling begins. It is centuries before the Skywalker saga. The Jedi are at their height, protecting the galaxy as Republic pioneers push out into new territories. As the Frontier prepares for the dedication of majestic Starlight Beacon, Padawan Keeve Trennis faces the ultimate choice — will she complete her Jedi Trials or rescue the innocent from disaster? New Jedi! New ships! New evils to fight!
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures (IDW Publishing)
By Daniel José Older (writer) and Harvey Tolibao (artist)
Available: February 21, 2021
An all-new ongoing series! In the glory days of the Republic, centuries before the adventures of Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewbacca, the Jedi stand as guardians of galactic peace—until a powerful new adversary called the Nihil arrives. Now a group of young Padawans, training under Master Yoda, must protect the Republic while learning the lessons that will one day lead them to become powerful Jedi in their own right.
On the exciting Launch Day on January 4th, Lucasfilm gave some details on the names of the phases as well as quite a few other exciting projects coming to the first phase of The High Republic. See below for the list of projects that were announced in addition to the original novels and comics of Phase One!
Star Wars: The High Republic – The Monster of Temple Peak will be a new graphic novel by Cavan Scott (Marvel’s Star Wars: The High Republic comic book) with art by Rachael Stott (Doctor Who).
Star Wars: The High Republic – The Edge of Balance is a manga co-written by Japanese author Shima Shinya (Lost Lad London) and Justina Ireland, with art by Mizuki Sakakibara (Tiger & Bunny). Lucasfilm Publishing described it as the first in a new series.
Star Wars: The High Republic – Race to Crashpoint Tower is a middle-grade novel “filled with high-flying entertainment” by Daniel José Older (IDW’s Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures comic), set to be released on June 29.
Star Wars: The High Republic: The Rising Storm is a new novel that will build on the heroic Jedi and nefarious Nihil debuting in Charles Soule’s Light of the Jedi set to release July 6th, 2021 making it the second adult novel in the new era.
Finally, there is a Chinese novel that is set in the canon era of The High Republic which already released on December 17th.
The energetic, youthful Jedi Padawan Sean meets true darkness for the first time while investigating a murder in a remote, independent star system. He is separated from his master, resisting the rising evil alone. Once his Jedi training is challenged, confronted with a religious crisis, he sets foot on a journey of self-exploration, hoping to bring peace and justice to this star system.
While there has been no word yet on an English translation of the book, it is considered canon and the V.P of Franchise Content and Strategy at Lucasfilm claimed “These character are thriving Star Wars characters that could show up again and populate other media” so it is worth keeping an eye on.
There is no doubt that this publishing initiative is incredibly grand in scale and represents a serious undertaking from Disney and Lucasfilm at fleshing out a new era in the Galaxy Far, Far Away. With the solicitations coming out for comics continuing Marvel’s Star Wars The High Republic and IDW’s Star Wars The High Republic Adventures we are certain to get a better look at what the future holds, but for now, it’s simply a great time to be a Star Wars fan!
Hopefully this walkthrough of all the announcements for the first phase of The High Republic will help you navigate where you would like to start, and stay tuned to Comic Watch for all your fandom news and reviews to stay up to date on all the latest!