"High Republic Adventures #7: Mission to Bilbousa Part II" by Daniel Jose Older

"High Republic Adventures #7: Mission to Bilbousa Part II" written by Daniel Jose Older, illustrated by Harvey Tolibao and Rebecca Nalty

Ahhh! This was so freaking good. Not just because of the story which involved deceit, subterfuge, and unlikely allies, but because so much of it was just super weird. Like perfect, Star Wars-y weirdness. A Parwan Master Jedi (Obratuk Glii) with 5 lightsabers, each representing a dead Padawan of his--apparently Parwans live a long time. Repeated talk among the saboteurs of being afraid of "the rock thing" and then Geode appearing out of nowhere and spooking them. A Hutt droid going haywire and constantly soliloquizing. And more...just crazy stuff that makes you laugh yet doesn't take away from the seriousness of the story. Older is a genius!

We start with Leox and Farzala hanging in cages from the ceiling of a dungeon (see below). Farzala does some introspective thinking about what it means to be afraid and how that translates to being a Jedi. He thinks back to a time when Obratuk, his Master, explained to him that Jedi have to feel fear at some point because you can't overcome and conquer an emotion you don't feel. Very true. It's super important to feel all the feelings no matter who you are!! It's so much easier to move on and grow when you do.

Then we get eyes on the Vessel with Affie, Qort, and Geode fighting back against Jabba's henchmen. Basically, Jabba had ordered his henchmen to make it look like the Jedi were attacking Skarabda the Hutt, thus leading Skarabda to counter-attack the Jedi...which would have resulted in some serious political damage. Jabba also planted Drengir on Nal Hutta to cause some pretty epic additional problems for Skarabda. Well, the henchmen prove no match for Affie, Qort, and Geode (especially with them running terrified of Geode appearing out of nowhere...which he does). And then Master Obratuk wakes up from his hibernation and wields FIVE lightsabers against the baddies (see below), bringing them to heel in no time.

Planet-side, Farzala frees himself and Leox from their cages and the two heroes meet up with Ishnar, Skarabda's Nikto head of security. Together the three fight back some Drengir and make it to Skarabda's main hall where Ishnar vouches for the Jedis' innocence. Then a comm comes in from the Vessel and Jabba is caught, Skarabda recognizing his henchmen through the comm. Whon whon for Jabba, although clearly the Hutt lives for another 200+ years, so he's alright.

The issue ends with a realization from Farzala that no Jedi is alone, that their connection to the Force is a true and real connection to all who came before them. Major Rey at the end of TROS vibes!! *my heart!*

Before I go, I do wanna share a couple of the droids ramblings, they are hysterical:

-"Ah 'tis indeed a thrilling escapade amongst the infinite stars! With villains to be dispatched and planets to save!"

-Ah, what a blessed and momentous rendezvous with fate this has been! What a wild and serendipitous ride for our rugged fellowship of unusual characters!"

Next up is the Free Comic Book Day "High Republic Adventures" issue! I love this series so much. Also, check out the super cool infographic below on Hutts!

[Check out more Leox, Affie, and Geode in the young adult novel, Into the Dark.]