Comic Review: The High Republic Adventures 2025 Annual - A Phase III Celebration

An all-star team of Luminous authors bring us an Annual issue in the final Phase of The High Republic: The High Republic Adventures Annual 2025. Check in with fan favorite heroes and villains, both inside and outside the Occlusion Zone.

Dark Horse Comics

Publisher summary:

This anthology issue collects five tales of Republic bravery and Nihil treachery from across the galaxy! Featuring Jedi Knight Vernestra Rwoh, Jedi Younglings Jon, Bree, and Toko, Churo the Hutt, the sly Nihil Driggit, and the sinister Baron Boolan as they navigate the perils of the impending Battle of Eriadu! Brought to you by some of the most influential creators of the High Republic saga, including Justina Ireland, Alyssa Wong, Cavan Scott, Zoraida Córdova, and Charles and Rosemary Soule!

Why it matters: This special issue is for dedicated High Republic readers. We get to put the spotlight on several characters, including ones that may not get it as much in the final releases of the initiative.

Key moments:

• Building up to the Battle: The Battle of Eriadu is setting the stage to be one of the final conflicts, told through Daniel José Older’s The High Republic Adventures. Driggit Parse will play a key role in its outcome.

• Adopting the Children: Baron Boolan’s Children of the Storm have played a key role in Phase 3. Cavan Scott finally gives us a look into their creation.

• Stellan’s Legacy: Years after his death, Stellan Gios leaves a huge impact on the story of the High Republic. Justina Ireland returns once again to tell a tale from his time as a master to Vernestra Rwoh.

The big picture: The High Republic Adventures Annual 2025 reunites us with several fan favorite characters: the Jedi Brave younglings, Driggit Parse, Churo the Hutt, Baron Boolan and the Children of the Storm, and Vernstra Rwoh and Stellan Gios. Each story is bite-sized in length, but they still manage to pack a punch despite their length. Not every story is likely to connect with every reader, but there is going to be something for everyone. There is also a great variety of art, but Nick Brokenshire feels like the standout.

It is unlikely to be a critically important story for those who want a tighter focus on their High Republic reading journey, but it is a fun time for those who pick it up. 

Our rating: Incredible

What’s next: The High Republic continues, with new issues of The High Republic Adventures dropping monthly and Marvel’s series, The High Republic - Fear of the Jedi by Cavan Scott returning on February 19th.

For a deeper discussion of recent comic releases, be sure to check out this week’s episode of The Cosmic Force podcast!