Review: ‘The High Republic Adventures’ Takes an Unnecessary Detour in Issue #11

In my last review of The High Republic Adventures issue #10, I lamented that the series had reached a slow point. With all the politicking on Eriadu and all the various side stories happening with the characters, it felt like the overall plot was slamming on the brakes.

 

Unfortunately, issue #11 of The High Republic Adventures doesn’t do anything to alleviate this problem. It only makes it worse. Focusing on characters Ram Jomaram and Padawan Gavi (most notably from Escape From Valo), it’s an additional side-story that only makes things more convoluted. If you, as the reader, can keep up with all of these different plots, all the more power to you. But unless you have absolutely kept up with every single thread and have read through the middle-grade novels as well, this issue is a frustrating read.

 

 

It’s pretty typical for books and comics to weave characters in and out of their different stories. As frustrating as that can sometimes be, having to buy one issue from a separate series or read another book just to follow what’s going on hasn’t bothered me too much in the past. But here, that frustration is made all the worse because there are still unfinished plots that still haven’t been resolved.

 

What’s going on with the Tarkins? That doesn’t matter right now because the series is focusing on Ram, Gavi, and all their other shenanigans. Who are these characters again? Oh, you gotta read Escape from Valo. What about the main plot with the Nihil encroaching onto Eriadu? Go read this other offshoot comic. Phase III is really pushing me to my breaking point with how many tie-ins and events there are that bleed over into other series.

 

 

What’s even worse is the inconsistency in tone. Sure, The High Republic Adventures has always had a look and feel that was fun for all ages, but this issue feels like it’s targeted solely for the kids. It’s reliant on kid-friendly humor that isn’t very clever. A perfect example of this is when a subordinate for The Warden starts asking The Warden for help over the comlink. The Warden dismisses it at first, but then the subordinate keeps pestering him, only for The Warden to snap and yell at him. It’s supposed to be a funny, Loony Tunes-esque moment that feels out of place considering the rest of the series. And the art here is very simplistic, with minimal details that make it look more like a kids’ comic. Can we get back to the main plotline, please, and have a bit more of that serious weight to the moment?

 

 

I can imagine part of the reason why The High Republic Adventures is doing this is simply to buy more time for the Battle of Eriadu conclusion happening in the next few months. So if you want my opinion, maybe just wait till then. Because, at the moment, this is just cheap filler.

 

Score: 3/10

 

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Thank you to Dark Horse for providing the review copy used in this writing. Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures issue #11 is available now on digital bookshelves and local comic book stores.