Comic Review: Jedi Knights #8 – Kelleran Beq to the Rescue!
A unique tale of a youngling who is saved by the fan-favorite Jedi from the Mandalorian.
By
Oct 22, 2025
Marvel Comics/Youtini Illustration
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Writer: Marc Guggenheim
Artist: Madibek Musabekov
Colors: Luis Guerrero
Publisher summary:
THE MOST UNUSUAL ISSUE YET! Meet SOONA TAJ, a young girl who is strong with the Force, who's in great danger, kidnapped by a group of pirates! This unique story is told through Soona's own eyes, allowing YOU to experience the Force through the eyes of a youngling. Guest-starring fan-favorite Jedi KELLERAN BEQ!
Marvel Comics
Why it matters: After many thrilling adventures featuring some of the bravest members of the Jedi Order, we finally see what true bravery looks like through the eyes of a youngling!
Key moments:
Jedi hero: Ahmed Best’s Kelleran Beq was introduced to much fanfare in The Mandalorian, and his appearance here is every bit as impactful. This seldom-seen Jedi warrior has a knack for saving the day.
From a certain point of view: The issue is told through the eyes of a young Force-sensitive child, putting the reader directly into the exciting story.
Do we need the Jedi?: Much ink–probably too much–has been spilled debating the morals of the Jedi Order taking in young children. Guggenheim jumps right into the discourse, presenting both the tragedy and hope that comes with joining the Order.
Marvel Comics
The big picture:
Jedi Knights continues to innovate, telling unique one-off stories that fully embrace the medium and remind us why comics are integral to Star Wars storytelling. While it could easily be a gimmicky novelty, the first-person point of view puts the reader directly into the story. We met Jedi Seekers Seera Longa and Berem Khana in the series’ first issue, but we instantly connect with them in a new way through the eyes of youngling Soona Taj.
The story itself plays out in an expected way that we’ve seen before; Jedi vs pirates is hardly new territory. But what the story lacks in twists and turns, it makes up for in presentation. Without even showing her outside of some clever use of reflections, Madibek Musabekov conveys the fear that Soona Taj is feeling as she watches the scenes play out in front of her. His art through this series is continually stunning, even with the shifts in storytelling style.
Guggenheim and Musabekov continue to raise the bar as they deliver what may be the best issue yet. These self-contained Jedi adventures are exactly what Star Wars comics should be.
Our rating: Masterpiece
What’s next: Jedi Knights returns to the story of Qui-Gon’s mysterious assassin in issue #9, due out November 19th.
Oz Davis is a co-host of The Cosmic Force and Bounty Hunt at Youtini. He's kept up with every Canon release since 2014 and has a particular soft spot for lesser-known books like "Servants of the Empire." As part of Youtini's "Dad Batch," he's also developed an affinity for the multitude of Star Wars children's books, and he's always looking to expand his collection.
