A new preview has been released for Star Wars‘ upcoming High Republic line of original stories. Featuring books and comic series from a variety of creators and publishers, this trans-media initiative will explore the never before seen time period of the High Republic, set 200 years before Episode 1 of the Skywalker Saga.
This means that the long-lived and popular Jedi Master Yoda is very much alive and well during this era, training Padawans on an academic star cruiser. A new preview for IDW Publishing’s Star Wars: High Republic Adventures #1 has confirmed Yoda’s active status, showing fans for the first time what one of the most powerful Jedi was up to during the High Republic. This includes his involvement during the inciting incident known as the Great Hyperspace Disaster.
The High Republic has been described in teases and previews as an era of great peace and prosperity for both the Galactic Republic and the Jedi Order. It’s in this era that the Republic has begun to expand into the Outer Rim territories, and the Jedi are aiding them in this endeavor with their remote station known as the Starlight Beacon. The Jedi will be acting as rangers of sorts, exploring the new frontiers and helping install new settlements for the Republic, all while training the next generation of Jedi to do the same, and Yoda will apparently be a big part of that Jedi training.
IDW’s High Republic series will be geared towards a younger demographic than that of Marvel’s upcoming series, following Yoda and his class of Padawans led by writer Daniel Jose Older with artist Harvey Tolibao and Rebecca Nalty–and no doubt providing new insights on the training of young Jedi. Check out young Yoda in the preview images for IDW’s first issue of High Republic Adventures below:
As the preview images show, the Great Hyperspace Disaster will see large hunks of destroyed starships hurtling towards planets at the speed of light with large levels of destruction, and the Trymant system will apparently be one of the first casualties. When the Jedi’s Starlight Beacon is notified, Yoda and his Padawans aboard their academic cruiser will be the closet Jedi available to provide aid, despite their youth and inexperience. Older has described this version of Yoda as a “journeyman,” traveling the stars and giving hands-on training to the Padawans in his care. Older also seems excited to see the Padawans growing up and learning in a rapidly changing galaxy, coming into conflict with new threats such as the Nihil:
“I’m so very excited to be able to tell this epic story of Padawans as the galaxy changes dramatically around them and danger lurks around every corner. Working on The High Republic has been a dream come true and getting to watch this world come to life through the brilliant art of Harvey Tolibao is one of the highlights of my career. I can’t wait for the fans to see what we’re cooking up.”
With these recent previews and teases coming from creators and publishers, The High Republic can’t come soon enough. Having already been delayed due to the pandemic, the first wave of books and comics will be releasing in the first few months of 2021 for fans to get their hands on, introducing them to new Jedi alongside Master Yoda himself, who looks like he’ll be a big part of the new Star Wars: High Republic Adventure series from IDW.
