Review: Elzar Mann and Avar Kriss Struggle to Find Hope in Marvel’s The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #2

The heartbeat of Phase 3 of the High Republic publishing initiative will undoubtedly be the relationship between Avar Kriss and Elzar Mann. At least, it will be that way for me. I have been in love with these two characters since the beginning. This is part of the reason I was completely enthralled with the second issue of Shadows of Starlight. It was an emotional roller coaster. Of course, having read The Eye of Darkness already, some of these pages felt like an even greater emotional roller coaster ride. However, even if I hadn't read the upcoming novel, I would have been entirely captivated by this comic.



Elzar Mann, Avar Kriss, and Stellan Gios. The three of them have been nearly inseparable most of their lives. Now, the bright light of this trio has been diminished to a pair. Stellan's sacrifice looms large over this comic. Elzar and Avar are both attempting to navigate the early stages of grief and life without Stellan while also attempting to help each other heal. For Elzar, this comic is about finding the best version of himself to help his and the Jedi's cause. For Avar, she has to learn to believe in herself again and trust the Force. It's a lot to unpack in just one issue, setting the stage for nearly everything going on with these two characters in the upcoming novel. If you ask me, this is a MUST READ. Let's get into it.



Spoilers ahead...



The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #2, cover art by Phil Noto



For starters, get a look at this image below. The image of Elzar and Avar embracing each other amidst the chaos surrounding them is surreal. Starlight Beacon is crashing into the waves of Eiram behind them. Jedi are scrambling around them in a panic. Yet, these two only have eyes for each other. Finding out the other was safe and survived was all that mattered at that moment. As a reader, you are transfixed on these two. Moments later, you realize just how horrifying the image around them is. The image encapsulates much of the tone for the beginning of Phase 3. There is chaos, fear, and impending dread and doom all around, but in the thick of all of it is an unrelenting hopeful spirit that burns bright in the surrounding darkness.



Elzar and Avar embracing after the fall of Starlight



The pages of this comic span several months. Every few pages span a major time jump. The next page launches into the relief camp on Eiram, where Avar and Elzar are processing the loss of their best friend and hero to the galaxy: Stellan Gios. This image of the trio all together made me smile. I can't help but be a bit frustrated, though. The three of them were painted as this massive trio in Phase 1. While this is entirely true, I would have liked more moments where we see the three of them all together, especially in the final moments of the phase. So, while seeing this image did make me smile, it also reminded me of some of the rare misfires I feel exist in this impressive publishing initiative.



Avar Kriss, Stellan Gios, and Elzar Mann together at the temple



Both of them feel a tremendous amount of guilt over what happened to Starlight and Stellan's death. This feeling of guilt is what propels them in their decision-making early on. For Avar, she was the Marshal of Starlight. Her job was to protect it and everyone onboard. Simple as that. Stellan was only the marshal in the end because of her being relieved from the duty. In her mind, she is certain that if she had been a 'better Jedi,' he would still be alive, and Starlight would be intact. Avar feels the Force uniquely from the rest of the Jedi. She hears it as a sweet melody, a song. Right now, that song is one of failure, and as she tells Elzar, that song's name is Avar Kriss.



Meanwhile, Elzar shares his role in the destruction of Starlight Beacon. He had found Chancey Yarrow as she was attempting to stop the destruction from happening. In a moment of anger, he executed her. It's something he will live with for the rest of his life. He is sure if he were to have listened to her, things would have turned out differently. He confides this in Avar and believes this confession is ultimately what causes her to make her crucial choice.



Avar and Elzar together



If you recall, all Jedi have been summoned back to the Jedi Temple due to the threat of the Nameless. Avar has decided to ignore that call. She intends to stay and help thwart the Nihil threat. She and Elzar leave on less-than-good terms. As a reader, I know the Nihil Stormwall is about to go up at any time, preventing access to the Nihil-occupied space. It was heartbreaking to see these characters leave each other on that note. It was such a reminder of how to cherish each moment with the ones you love. This a reminder to measure your responses even in anger.



Ten days after the fall of Starlight Beacon, we see Elzar putting all of his efforts into breaching the Stormwall. He is desperate to find a way to get through to Avar or at least get a message to the person he is closest to in this world. Elzar has inherited Stellan's droid, 'ForFive,' who is assisting him in his efforts. Unfortunately, there has been no success yet. The only small success, I'd say, is Elzar's capability to grow a beard over the last ten days.



Elzar and ForFive try to contact Avar Kriss



Throughout the next several pages, we jump up to four months into the future. Elzar continues his attempts to contact Avar, doing so in unorthodox ways. He uses a blend of technology and the Force in an attempt to reach her. It's a dangerous game he is playing as his machine is but a prototype. It explodes moments before he establishes more than just a fleeting connection. He nearly loses his temper on ForFive after the droid invokes Stellan's name to Elzar. The poor Jedi is still wrestling with the weight of feeling as if he is supposed to take up the heavy load Stellan is carrying.



Elzar nearly loses control



On the other side of the galaxy, Avar is struggling for her life. The town she received aid from was sold out to the Nihil. All she could do was watch as the pirates rained fire from above on the lowly village. For any Jedi, let alone one like Avar Kriss, to be forced into an utter feeling of helplessness at the site of innocents being slaughtered was truly hard to stomach. The already faint feeling of hope has now become so distant it's become so hard for our heroes to latch onto.



Avar watches the destruction of the town



However, as Star Wars does so well, they let hope spring anew just when the darkness has reached its peak. When Elzar's continued attempts to contact Avar became more drastic and dangerous, ForFive finally stepped in. The droid had been secretly working to improve upon Elzar's first attempt to contact Avar. The droid was successful.



Avar, in her darkest moment as she feels completely alone in the entire galaxy, hears Elzar calling out to her. It was the jolt she needed to hear the song of the Force ring true once more. It reminded her she was not alone. The image below gave me absolute chills.



Avar is inspired



Elzar's contact with Avar is a one-off, though. The blend of technology and the Force he was using is unsustainable. He has no idea if he was able to make contact, but he is choosing to believe they will find a way to make something work. After all, 'it's what Stellan would do.'



The High Republic is back in full swing, and I am loving it. I wish we got a new issue every week, but alas, we must wait until next month for another glorious addition to Shadows of Starlight.


<p style='text-align: center;']Rating: 9/10</p>


The High Republic: Shadows of Starlight #3



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