Comic Review: The High Republic: Fear of the Jedi #5 – Victory Above Eriadu!

Writer: Cavan Scott
Artist: Marika Cresta
Colors: Jim Campbell

Publisher summary:
A CALL TO ARMS! The GIOS under attack! REPUBLIC forces outnumbered and outgunned! With the BATTLE FOR ERIADU and the fate of the Republic hanging in the balance, JEDI MARSHAL KEEVE TRENNIS addresses the galaxy! The end of the war is coming, but who will pay the ultimate price?

Marvel Comics

Why it matters: The Nihil have been waging war on the Jedi for years, and this is the final battle. Fear of the Jedi is the final miniseries of the High Republic, and Cavan Scott ends the battle in stunning fashion.

Key moments:

• There is no fear: Since the first issue of The High Republic in 2021, Keeve Trennis has grown from a hotheaded padawan into a fleet-leading Jedi Master. This issue shows her growth and triumph over fear as she leads this epic battle.

• For Light and Life: Even as the Jedi are fighting for survival, they show that their values hold strong. Bigger than the battle with the Nihil is the fight to make sure they win in the right way - a classic tale of Jedi excellence.

• The End?: The Battle of Eriadu takes place on several fronts, representing one of the final moments of the massive High Republic initiative. This part of the battle is over, and it’s a fantastic finale. But it’s clear that more is in store for Keeve Trennis and her fellow Jedi.

Marvel Comics

The big picture:

Now that the Jedi know their greatest fears – flying Nameless, resurrected lovers, their past selves – are a product of the Nihil’s Fear Engine, there’s only one thing left to do… fight back. The road through the Battle of Eriadu has been long and winding, but Cavan Scott nails the ending here with an epic showing of why the Jedi will always be the heroes of the Galaxy Far, Far Away.

Fear of the Jedi has been an exceptional miniseries, resting on the shoulders of a fantastic cast of characters. While each character has had pivotal moments in the series, it’s Keeve Trennis who leads this final issue. As a young padawan, she kicked off the High Republic comics, so it’s fitting that she closes them out, now as a Master. Keeve’s character arc has been one of the most consistent and compelling stories of the High Republic initiative. Cavan Scott has teased that there are dark days ahead for her, but her heroism is on full display here.

There is still a finale issue on the way, but this issue represents the end of the main High Republic arc from Marvel comics. Scott and Cresta took the chaos of Phase Three and focused it into a tight, character-driven farewell to characters we have grown to love over half a decade. There’s still plenty of action - and gorgeous artwork - to admire, but Fear of the Jedi reminds us of why we keep coming back to Star Wars - the characters.

Our rating: Incredible

What’s next: Fear of the Jedi has come to a close, but the story will continue in Trials of the Jedi, out June 17th. Then read Cavan Scott’s epic finale in The High Republic Finale: The Beacon on July 30th.

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