Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures - Pathfinders #3 (Dark Horse Comics)
Hello there! Padawan J here, the resident Star Wars expert from the ODPH! This week I'm going to be reviewing the 3rd issue of Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures from Dark Horse Comics!
After some time away from The High Republic era of Star Wars we are BACK! Set 300+ years before the events of The Phantom Menace it’s a tumultuous time for the Republic. A team of pathfinders exploring the furthest reaches of the galaxy is met with something they can’t explain. So just how are they going to escape it? Let’s jump into it!
Credit: Dark Horse Comics // Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures - Pathfinders #3 by George Mann (Writer), Caio Filipe (Illustration), Michael Atiyeh (Colorist), Comicraft’s Tyler Smith & Bobby Bradford (Letterers), Jake Bartok (Cover)
*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***
The Story
George Mann is doing a great job with the mystery surrounding the overall story and the ever growing threat. It’s got this mystery, whodunnit style storytelling that you don’t get too often in Star Wars. It makes for a very compelling story because we’re in a time period where we don’t really know where things are going to end up. I know you might be sitting there thinking of what happens in the films but remember those events are 300 years in the future, so it’s in a time period where you can get real creative with what happens. The only thing that has to happen, is we know Yoda can’t die. Outside that it’s fair game!
I liked the way this escalated and continued to build. Yes there were action sequences, but those took a backseat to the story development taking place in the issue. It’s during the plot development that Mann’s storytelling really shines through and makes this a story worth reading. There’s a layer of depth that you don’t typically get with other Star Wars stories, and it’s thanks to Mann’s writing.
I was really intrigued with where the story ended, because while yes it seemed like we might be nearing a discovery in the overall plot it appears that things got even deeper in the depth of the mystery. I love that I’m not able to guess what’s going to come next and that the story is keeping me on my toes. This really is a story any fan can get into.
The Artwork
Caio Filipe, Michael Atiyeh are in charge of the artwork for this issue and do an absolutely phenomenal job with it. Long time readers of The High Republic Adventures will continue to feel very familiar with the look and feel of the issue. The art in this issue is just spectacular and some of the most beautiful work I have seen in a while. I really loved that the art was able to breathe and be expressive when there isn’t so much action going on. You really get to see Caio & Michael at their absolute best and it’s spectacular to look at.
Overall Grade: 8/10
George Mann & the entire creative team continue the tremendous story with another masterpiece of an issue. The story is one that any Star Wars fan can jump into and read, no matter how big a fan you are. Mann’s spectacular storytelling & the incredible artwork really make this an issue you should check out!
