“Star Wars The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight – A Resonance of Hope” – Issue 2 Review and Summary

Cover Artist: Phil Noto

Writer: Charles Soule

Artist: Marika Cresta

Color Artist: Guru-eFX

Letterer: Travis Lanham

🟢Publisher and Published Date🟢

Marvel Comics / November 2023

🟢Non Spoiler Spew🟢

After the first issue I thought the second one was going to go right into what the Jedi Council and Yoda were planning. But that came to a halt with this second issue. This one focuses on Avar Kriss, Elzar, and Stellan. I do not mind digging deeper into Jedi relationships, but after a big setup from the first issue I was expecting a little more.

Instead of Avar and Elzar being with each other to grieve their friend, they go their separate ways. It is a good to have characters grow independently from each other because not everyone deals with death the same way. So it was a nice change to see in the Jedi. To see that they do get attached even though they are not supposed to. It shows they are human.

Overall it was not a bad issue, dialogue was a little clunky, and I personally just wanted a bit more. I wanted them to lean heavier into Avar and Elzar’s emotions.

🔴Summary Spoiler Spew🔴

(The Crawl) Centuries before the Clone Wars or the Empire, during the glorious era of THE HIGH REPUBLIC, the Jedi were at their height.

The galaxy was at peace until dangerous marauders known as the NIHIL caused THE GREAT DISASTER. Their attack on the Jedi and the Republic reached its peak with the destruction of STARLIGHT BEACON, a space station meant to symbolize hope and unity.

Now the Jedi have been recalled to Coruscant, fearful of the Nihil and the monstrous creatures they possess. . .

(Eiram. The Fall of Starlight Beacon) Jedi Master Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann have reunited.

(Eiram Relief Camp #4) Avar and Elzar talk about how they are mourning all the lost Jedi, including their friend, Stellan. Elzar tells Avar that she might get Stellan’s spot on the Council. Avar goes on to tell Elzar that will never happen because the fall of Starlight Beacon was all her fault. Elzar says he is at fault too because he killed a scientist, Chancey Yarrow, who might have been able to save Starlight Beacon. Avar tells Elzar she will not be going to Coruscant and instead going to find the Nihil. Elzar wonders if she is not going back because of them or because he killed the scientist.

(Coruscant. The Jedi Temple. One Week After the Fall) The Jedi Council is talking to Master Elzar about Avar Kriss. Agra tells them she will not come back to Coruscant until she has turned her failure into success. Padawan Aster Forian barges in and tells Agra the Nihil has created a stormwall that has sealed off a huge sector and no transmissions in or out. It destroyed an entire Republic Defense Coalition Fleet when the stormwall was activated.

Avar Kriss gets a transmission from Marchion Ro. Marchion says they rule the Nihil and for anyone receiving this message they have taken over that certain region and they are now one of them.

(Ten Days After the Fall of Starlight Beacon) Master Elzar keeps trying to get ahold of Avar.

(Two Months After the Fall of Strlight Beacon. Allard. The Occlusion Zone) Avar is with her droid Kaysee and they are looking for a nearby town so Avar can get more food. A member of the Nihil is in a nearby town telling the folks the Jedi are the enemy and to not help them. To report them or kill them.

(Four Months after the Fall of Starlight Beacon) Elzar and a droid, Forfive, find a Tyhonic Resonator. They use this to try to break through the Nihil’s communication blockade. But after trying it explodes.

(Allard. The Occlusion Zone) Avar finds someone willing to help her with supplies. While getting supplies, General Viess from the Nihil has arrived with many ships. Avar runs to see if she can see what is happening in town. She sees the Nihil have found out there was a Jedi nearby and destroyed the town. Avar talks to a communicator doing a play by play of what’s happening.

(Seven Months After the Fall of Starlight Beacon. Just Outside the Occlusion Zone) Elzar and Forfive get on a ship to try to bypass the blockade. Elzar wants to jump to hyperspace inside the blockade. Forfive stops him by stabbing the hyper drive with a Lightsaber. Instead of trying it Elzar’s way, Forfive fixed the Resonator. Forfive said it is what Stellan Gios would have wanted.

Avar is able to hear Elzar and she decides to fight for the people.