Comic Review: Pathfinders #1 – The High Republic is Back!
George Mann takes readers back to The High Republic with a brand new tale of Jedi intrigue.
By
Mar 25, 2026
Dark Horse Comics/Youtini Illustration
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Writer: George Mann
Artist: Partha Pratim
Colors: Michael Atiyeh
Publisher summary:
Twenty years after Phase II of the High Republic, a brand-new team of Republic Pathfinders is dispatched to a distant corner of the galaxy to investigate the strange death of a Jedi Master! But as the team wades into a web of mystery, they discover not everything about this mission is as it seems. Can the team save the day and solve the Jedi’s mysterious demise?
Dark Horse Comics
Why it matters: While the dust has settled on the High Republic initiative, George Mann proves that there’s plenty more to come from the fan-favorite era. “Phase More” begins here!
Key moments:
Good to be back: It’s only been nine months since Trials of the Jedi wrapped up the High Republic, but it feels like ages. Seeing this golden era of the Jedi again feels like coming home.
Whodunnit?: Anakin Skywalker once confidently said, “No one can kill a Jedi.” So why is there a dead Jedi here?! Off the bat, the story has all the intrigue of a Benoit Blanc mystery.
Fresh faces: Despite the mostly familiar setting, Pathfinders features a brand new pair of Jedi Master Temesh and his Padawan Anula make a great first impression as new members of this ever-expanding canon.
Dark Horse Comics
The big picture: It’s no secret that I’m a huge High Republic fan. Despite nearly five years of fantastic stories, I wasn’t ready to say goodbye when Phase 3 came to an end. So Michael Siglain’s tease of a “Phase More” was an instant relief. That our first story would come from George Mann and set near Phase 2 was even better.
Free from the burden of an ongoing, sprawling narrative, he sets up a self-contained mystery that is instantly gripping. It has all the trappings of a classic Star Wars adventure: a Master and Padawan, a hidden enemy, and innocent lives in danger. Mann uses that template to introduce readers to a new cast of characters that quickly establish themselves as compelling protagonists, with just enough action to keep things excited as this story is set up. Also introduced in this issue is artist Partha Pratim who brings this era to life with dynamic character designs and intense action. His style is unique but still fits in perfectly alongside past High Republic titles.
While I long for more stories from characters like Reath Silas, Vernestra Rwoh, and Burryaga, this is a perfect start to Lucasfilm revisiting my favorite era of publishing. But more than that, it’s a comic that tells a compelling story in its own right. If this fantastic first chapter is anything to go by, George Mann has yet another winner on his hands.
Our rating: Incredible
What’s next: Pathfinders continues with issue #2 on May 13, 2026.
For a deeper discussion of this issue, be sure to check out this week’s episode of The Cosmic Force podcast!
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.
