"The High Republic Adventures #3: Starlight" by Daniel Jose Older

"The High Republic Adventures #3: Starlight" written by Daniel Jose Older, illustrated by Harvey Tolibao and Rebecca Nalty

Despite the spookiness that the Nihil bring to the table, this issue was very much so a kid's issue which is perfectly fine and genuinely adorable. The humor was definitely geared towards the younger crowd as well as the scenes of all the rejoicing and rambunctious Padawans and younglings on the Starlight Beacon. They looked like they were all having a grand ole time throughout the issue (see below). One example of the humor was the Chagrian Jedi, Torban Buck, stuffing his face with pastries and making mumbling noises while chomping away...twice. And there's a great quote from Yoda, "Brought delicious pastry treats, we did!" The whole situation is ridiculous and I appreciate it so much.

Before I go any farther, color me confused. I had no idea that the head Nihil the Jedi were dealing with on Trymant IV was Marchion Ro himself... In Light of the Jedi, it says he wore a sleeveless white tunic cinched with a belt and a jacket with black pants...this dude looks like he's wearing full on armor, not at all what I had envisioned. Also, I was under the impression that Marchion didn't do any of the dirty work and that he left all that up to his Tempest Runners and their subordinates. Of course, at the end of Light of the Jedi he makes a big show of how everything is going to change in regards to his positioning within the Nihil, so maybe it's that that has resulted in this totally new look for him? He's just super hands on in this comic and was super aloof and disconnected in Light of the Jedi so the difference is jarring for me. 

Half the story takes place on the Starlight Beacon while the other half takes place on the Gaze Electric, Marchion Ro's personal mega-ship. The two settings alternate frequently providing a thoroughly enjoyable double story. So we've got Zeen the Mirialan from Trymant IV who has finally revealed her Force powers and is feeling welcomed and loved by the Jedi more than she ever has felt with anybody else. Then we've got Krix the human from Trymant IV who used to be best friends with Zeen and feels betrayed and frustrated that Zeen kept her Force abilities from him. Unfortunately, he's upset enough that he's siding with the Nihil and even turns his back on Elder Tromak, the Gran leader of the Trymant IV community. (See Marchion Ro above with Krix on the left and Tromak on the right.) Reminds me somewhat of Tam from "Resistance" when she finds out that Kaz and Yeager lied to her and so joins the First Order!! It's amazing what you'll do when you're faced with being all alone...

Poor Zeen, having been abandoned by her best friend, finds a true home with the Jedi...but they won't train her to be one of them because they say she is too old! This girl has nowhere to go!! Her home has been destroyed by the Great Disaster and the Nihil. Her people stand firmly against all Force users. She needs somewhere that she will feel safe and accepted and that place is with the Jedi. Hopefully they'll get their heads out of their butts before this story is over and take the poor girl in as one of them.

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A few trivia bits:

-The Nihil have kidnapped Elder Tromak because they are looking for a particular artifact, one that Tromak refuses to give up the location of. But he does tell Krix...which may not have been the best of plans. "The object they seek is in a cave on the outskirts of the Kharvashark Ruins, on the southern hemisphere of Vrant Tarnum, in the far reaches of the Stygmarn System." That's a mouthful!

-Ord Mantell is located in the Bright Jewel System.

-Bogaranths are a gnarly species (see below) that are ridden during Nihil gladiator style battles. Apparently these battles take place on the Gaze Electric...which doesn't exactly make much sense as Marchion, according to Light of the Jedi, keeps his ship very much to himself except for droids and the like. He doesn't want anybody discovering his secrets...especially not other Nihil! Overall, this version of Marchion Ro just baffles me in comparison to what we already got from Charles Soule.

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So, a lot of seemingly discordant information in regards to the Nihil which continues to be an unfortunate issue with this publishing campaign. As for the plot, I'm so excited to see Zeen so happy and hope against hope that the Jedi will decide to take her in for good!! And in regards to Krix...dang what a truly devious boy underneath all the cuteness! Makes me sad. I'm excited to see how things play out from here because it looks like another confrontation between the Nihil and the Jedi is quickly approaching!!