The High Republic – Shadows of Starlight 1

The High Republic – Shadows of Starlight 1 is the first issue of the 2023 comic miniseries Star Wars: The High Republic – Shadows of Starlight. The issue was written by Charles Soule, illustrated by Ibraim Roberson and Fer Sifuentes-Sujo, and published by Marvel Comics on October 4, 2023.

Publisher's summary

WHO LIVED? WHO DIED? ANSWERS TO THE GREATEST CATASTROPHE OF THE GOLDEN AGE OF THE JEDI! Little has been revealed about the year following the fall of STARLIGHT BEACON and the ultimate triumph of THE NIHIL…until now! THE JEDI COUNCIL, reeling from its losses, has recalled its JEDI KNIGHTS from across the galaxy and instituted the emergency measures. MASTER YODA has a plan to save the Order and the galaxy, but he must touch the dark side to achieve it…and the consequences will be grave indeed.

Opening crawl

Centuries before the Clone Wars or the Empire, during
the glorious era of THE HIGH REPUBLIC, the Jedi were
at their height.

The galaxy was at peace until dangerous marauders
known as the NIHIL caused THE GREAT DISASTER. Their
attack on the Jedi and the Republic reached its peak
with the destruction of STARLIGHT BEACON, a space
station meant to symbol hope and unity.

Now, the Jedi have been recalled to Coruscant, fearful
of the Nihil and the monstrous creatures they possess….

Plot summary

Proclamation of the new orders

In the wake of the destruction of Starlight Beacon, the Jedi High Council announces to the entire order the sorrowful news and the order for all Jedi to return to the Jedi Temple on Coruscant immediately. On Eiram, site of the wreckage of Starlight, Jedi Masters Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann discuss their concern over their new orders. Elzar wants to continue the relief effort and hates the thought that they could miss saving any survivors. Avar agrees, but recognizes that the Council would only make such a call if things are worse than they thought.

At the Jedi Temple, Grand Master Yoda speaks with fellow Council members Ry Ki-Sakka and Soleil Agra as numerous Jedi return to Coruscant. Master Agra finds the recall prudent given the grave threat posed by the Nameless. Yoda reminds the Nautolan how prudence is a cousin to fear, but still agrees the recall was the correct choice. Nevertheless, the diminutive Jedi decides to dedicate himself to researching the Nameless, realizing he must look beyond the temple walls. He sets out for his journey.

One week after the fall of Starlight Beacon, the Jedi arrange with Chancellor Lina Soh for the Jedi to rent out the Galactic Senate Chamber so that the Council can speak to all the returned Jedi at once. Master Pra-Tre Veter opens the meeting with welcoming statements before Grand Master Xo Lahru addresses the Jedi's uncertainty. Master Keaton Murag then reiterates the ways in which the Nihil have committed severe atrocities against the galaxy. Master Oppo Rancisis details the Jedi confirmed to have been killed aboard Starlight Beacon and expresses the wishes that they can find those who remain missing. Master Ada-Li Carro then addresses that there is a nameless creature that targets Jedi and feeds on their ability to use the Force before Master Teri Rosason confirms that Marchion Ro is the true leader of the Nihil and has established the Stormwall to block off an Occlusion Zone in the Outer Rim. Subsequently Master Yarael Poof brings the message home by demonstrating that these are the reasons the Council recalled the Jedi to Coruscant to protect their safety. He then announces that they are implementing the Guardian Protocols for the first time in a long time.

As the Council explains the Guardian Protocols, the audience of Jedi are concerned about the many changes. For instance, lightsaber combat instruction being accelerated for Initiates is concerning for Bree, Jon and Toko. The immediate eligibility for any current Padawan to undergo their Jedi Trials and advance to Knighthood is shocking to Amadeo Azzazzo and Eoin Gorcan. The fine line between taking on the Nihil and fighting a war is upsetting to the scholar Emerick Caphtor, but welcome to Nyla Quinn. Other changes include all Jedi outposts being staffed only by droids and mission assignments being determined on a case-by-case basis.

An elegant weapon for a more civilized age

In the Jedi Temple armory, Master Govena makes the finishing touches on an ornate lightsaber hilt. She tests the beautiful weapon as she is approached by Kirak Infil'a. Govena laments that now, a month after the fall of Starlight Beacon, she will not be able to make many elegant lightsabers since with the increased fighting secondary to the Guardian Protocols, more lightsabers will be lost in combat. Therefore, they will need to switch to more easily constructed but less aesthetic battle sabers. She directs the armory Jedi to refer to Professor Huyang's schematics for this type of saber, but the crowd is displeased. Infil'a supports Govena by reminding the Jedi that the point of their work is to save lives by ensure the Jedi have lightsabers when they need them.

The Stranger

Three months after the fall of Starlight Beacon, Reath Silas and Ady Sun'Zee look at a memorial set up for the Jedi killed or missing at Starlight or behind the Stormwall. One of those of status unknown is Reath's master, Cohmac Vitus. Sun'Zee asks why Reath keeps coming back to the memorial. Reath really just hopes that something will have changed since the last time he looked, a cycle that only brings him frustration. Sun'Zee then realizes that Yoda should be on the list since he has not been seen in some time, but would be very helpful.

As if Ady Sun'Zee manifested it, her and Reath turn around to find Master Yoda returned to the Temple. He is joined by a strange figure in a white cloak, face obscured by the hood. The pair are unsure who the stranger is, but Reath senses a familiarity, someone he saw Yoda with after the battle on Corellia. He nevertheless senses darkness.

Later, Elzar Mann speaks with the Jedi High Council, pleading that their priority needs to be breaching the Stormwall. Although Master Agra emphasizes Chancellor Soh and the Republic's efforts to do so, Elzar does not think that will be enough since there are Jedi trapped in the Occlusion Zone, such as Avar Kriss and Porter Engle. Elzar thus calls for the Council to authorize diversion of resources to rescue them. Elzar is silenced by the arrival of Master Yoda, who shuts down Elzar's plea. Yoda explains that those Jedi behind the Stormwall are not trapped, but exactly where they should be: In a place of darkness, bringing the light.

After Yoda dismisses Elzar, he tosses aside the many things the other members of the Council want to discuss because the most pressing concern is the Nameless. After searching for answers, he found one in the strange individual, who now enters. The members of the Council approach the stranger who they all sense the dark side of the Force radiating from. The man reveals himself to be Azlin Rell. The older members of the Council recognize the name from over a century ago. Despite Yoda's insistence that they must listen to his words, the others are, at best, highly skeptical of the dark sider. Rell begins a speech showing how Yoda calmed his mind, but he lives with an incredible sacrifice: Embracing the dark side.

When Azlin Rell rips off his cloak, revealing stained and tattered Jedi temple robes. This sudden move frightens the Masters, many of whom ignite their lightsabers in defense. Yoda calms his colleagues down, emphasizing the time he has spent with the fallen Jedi making him trust that he will not harm them. Azlin and Yoda explain how the man's fear following an encounter with the Nameless led him to obsess and only grow his terror, which eventually led to the dark side. The fracturing of his mind caused most of his knowledge of the Nameless to be hidden. Yoda thus plans to use the Force to help recover the memories.

Through the Force, things you will see

Now four months after the fall of Starlight Beacon, Yoda communes with Azlin Rell in his cell at the Jedi Temple Detention Center. Azlin is skeptical that Yoda's aid will help him find the light, but he agrees to let Yoda enter his fractured mind.

Yoda and Azlin Rell find themselves transported into the memory of Azlin's first encounter with the Nameless, in the expansive tunnel system underneath the Path of the Open Hand compound on Dalna. Azlin is a young Jedi Knight once more, but his fear quickly takes over as he realizes the Nameless will soon be approaching. In his panic he whips out his lightsaber. Both of them crash out of the vision. Azlin had stolen a Temple Guard's lightsaber pike and nearly struck at Yoda. The diminutive Master slams Azlin against the wall and disarms him. They both decide to try again another time.

We are all the Republic

Five months after the fall of Starlight Beacon, Masters Yarael Poof and Adampo meet with Chancellor Lina Soh in her office. She informs them of the multiple attacks the Nihil have been waging on Republic systems outside of the Occlusion Zone. Although she has sent Republic Defense Coalition forces to patrol the affected sectors, it is not enough. She asks for Jedi Knights to be among fast-response squads to hunt down Nihil in Republic space. Master Adampo is adamant that Jedi are protectors, not hunters, but informs the Chancellor that they will take the request to the High Council for a vote.

Throughout the galaxy, Jedi train, fight Nihil, and defend others in the Occlusion Zone. Meanwhile, Yoda and Azlin Rell continue their exploration of the repressed memories hiding inside Azlin's head. One memory shows a time when Azlin spoke with a drunk Mon Calamari, who lets slip intelligence from one Dass Leffbruk about some fancy Graf family compass that could show the way to a paradise planet. The Mon Calamari does not know where to find Leffbruk, though. Back in the present, Azlin ends the vision and informs Yoda that he remembers that the Leffbruk family knew the way to the homeworld of the Nameless.

Let the past die. Kill it if you have to

Six months after the fall of Starlight Beacon, Yoda and Azlin Rell speak in the hangar of the Pacifier-class sector patrol cruiser Galliance. Azlin thanks Yoda for believing in him, and the smaller Jedi reminds Azlin it is never too late to rejoin the light. Republic databases show descendants of the Leffbruks to have settled on Travyx Prime, which may mean the Graf compass could be with them. As Yoda boards the ship, distracted in his philosophical musings, Azlin falls behind and whispers a mind trick into the ear of an Abednedo worker.

Yoda and Azlin Rell's shuttle takes off for a city below. Meanwhile, the hypnotized technician sneaks onto the bridge of the Galliance and locks the ship's guidance systems from the captain's controls. Yoda helplessly watches as the Galliance crashes into the city.

Yoda asks their pilot to contact the Republic to send aid. He wonders how such a catastrophe could have occurred, and realizes it was Azlin Rell's doing. The man thanks Yoda for helping him remember the loose end. He reasons that if a path to the Nameless' homeworld remains, it could be found and used. He is glad to have closed that route. Yoda is disgusted by Azlin's betrayal and disregard for innocent life. Azlin regrets nothing. He spent his life scouring the galaxy for information about the Nameless with the ultimate goal to destroy them before they kill all Force-sensitives. He feels his cruelty is necessary. Azlin Rell takes off his goggles, revealing his empty orbits. In sum, he sees what Yoda cannot, and believes he can save them all.

Development

Soule did a lettering pass for the comic in August, 2023.^[4] He teased there were many details included in the comic and even revealed it would see the return of a major character, Kirak Infil'a.^[5]

Media

Final cover by Phil Noto

Reveal cover by Phil Noto

Variant cover by Lee Garbett

Variant cover by David Marquez

Variant cover by Takashi Okazaki

Virgin variant cover by Phil Noto

Virgin variant cover by Takashi Okazaki

Sketch variant cover by Takashi Okazaki

Collected in

• Star Wars: The High Republic – Shadows of Starlight trade paperback
• Star Wars: The High Republic Phase III – Trials of the Jedi Omnibus

Appearances

This Appearances list is incomplete. You can help Wookieepedia by expanding it.

Sources

• This Week! in Star Wars Ahsoka Release Date Announced, Hayden Christensen and Diego Luna Chat, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
• Star Wars: The High Republic Show: The Fate of Burryaga Revealed, The High Republic Heads to San Diego Comic-Con, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link) (Posted on StarWars.com)
• Lucasfilm Publishing: Stories from a Galaxy Far, Far Away... | Panel | San Diego Comic-Con 2023 on the official Penguin Random House YouTube channel (original link is obsolete)
• "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 220
• "Charles Soule: Luminous Legacy" — Star Wars Insider 231
• Star Wars: The High Republic Chronological Reader's Guide on StarWars.com (article) (backup link)
• "Star Wars: The High Republic Companion: Phase III: Trials of the Jedi" — Star Wars Insider 234

Notes and references

External links

• Star Wars: The High Republic — Shadows of Starlight (2023) #1 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)

Phase III: Trials of the Jedi
Novels Adult novels The Eye of Darkness (audiobook) · Temptation of the Force (audiobook) · Trials of the Jedi (audiobook) Young adult novels Defy the Storm (audiobook) · Tears of the Nameless (audiobook) · Into the Light (audiobook) Junior novels Escape from Valo (audiobook) · Beware the Nameless (audiobook) · A Valiant Vow (audiobook) Audiobook Originals Seeds of Starlight · Haunted Starlight Audio dramas Tempest Breaker (script) Comic books Marvel The High Republic (2023) · Fear of the Jedi (1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · TPB) · The Finale Shadows of Starlight (1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · TPB) Omnibus Dark Horse The High Republic Adventures (2023) · Crash Landing / Crash and Burn (TPB) The Wedding Spectacular · Phase III Annual · The Battle of Eriadu Saber for Hire (1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · TPB) · Echoes of Fear (1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · TPB) Dispatches from the Occlusion Zone (1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · TPB) Complete Phase III Part 1 · Complete Phase III Part 2 Viz Media The Edge of Balance (3 · 4 · Premonition) Short stories Tales from the Occlusion Zone "No Big Deal" · "Friend or Foe?" · "Survivors" · "Pathogen" · "Family Ties" "The Fate of Eriadu" · "Sparks Fly" · "Out with a Bang" · "The Will to Fight" · Tales from the Occlusion Zone Chronicles of Corellia "Heir Apparent" · "Cracking the Mask" Tales of Light and Life "Light in the Darkness" · "All Jedi Walk Their Own Path" · "Rogue Element" Reference books The Art of: Volume 2 Promotional material The High Republic Show Trials of the Jedi promotional postcards Articles "Charles Soule: Luminous Legacy" · "Long Live Luminous" "The High Republic: Phase III Companion" Related media Comics Yoda: The Cave · "All the Republic" The Acolyte - Kelnacca 1 Novels The Acolyte: Wayseeker (audiobook) · The Acolyte: The Crystal Crown (audiobook) General The High Republic media · Phase I media · Phase II media
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