Way back in January, Lucasfilm launched Star Wars: The High Republic, a new publishing initiative comprising novels and comic books set 200 years before the Skywalker Saga. These stories imagined an era of galactic peace and prosperity that was suddenly interrupted by a band of space pirates known as the Nihil. And it sounds like things are going to get even darker for the Republic over the next year. During a special Comic-Con@Home panel, several High Republic authors reflected on the initiative’s first wave of titles. They also teased a handful of new adventures that are still to come.
Star Wars: The High Republic Show host Krystina Arielle moderated the panel, which included five of the initiative’s top scribes. Charles Soule, Cavan Scott, Justina Ireland, Claudia Gray, and Daniel José Older all shared fun facts about how they crafted the interconnected tales that have been hitting bookstores and comic shops over the last few months. Scott, whose adult novel, The Rising Storm, debuted in June, evidently mapped out the book’s entire plot on his wall. He went so far as to liken the process to finding a serial killer. But he also dropped some hints about the future of his High Republic comic series for Marvel. Apparently, readers can expect one of the era’s Jedi Knights to join the Nihil’s ranks in an upcoming issue.
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The authors also revealed some key info about four new titles that Lucasfilm will roll out starting in January 2022. The first, The Fallen Star, is an adult novel penned by Gray and picks up where The Rising Storm left off. Fans should also be on the lookout for two new young-adult books next year. Older’s Midnight Horizon, is described as “a chaotic mess in the best possible way”; and Ireland’s Mission to Disaster, which she jokingly promises is “not ominous at all.”
Finally, Soule, who kicked off The High Republic earlier this year with Light of the Jedi, is planning yet another story. Over the course of two 30 page issues, Soule will trace the history of Nihil leader Marchion Ro (pictured above) in Marvel’s The Eye of the Storm miniseries.
“He’s absolutely terrifying,” said Soule. “He’s charming in a way…you’ll meet him and he’ll talk to you and you’ll have a good time. Maybe he’ll buy you a beer. A space beer, I guess. But then, you know, the minute you leave the room, his face goes blank. It’s all just a mask.”
Which of these new High Republic stories are you most excited about? Let us know in the comments down below!
Recommended Reading: Star Wars: The High Republic – Light of the Jedi
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