Meet the heroes of Star Wars: The High Republic

Disney is looking to whisk us back to that galaxy far, far away, not with a new Star Wars movie (yet), but with a multi-platform publishing project that will span books and comics called Star Wars: The High Republic. All the stories told here will be set some 200 years before the prequel trilogy, when the Jedi order was at its height. We’ve already  learned a lot about it, and now, StarWars.com has revealed brand-new bios for some of the Jedi Masters and Knights at the center of these stories.

“Readers will see a very wide variety of Jedi in this era,” said Michael Siglain, creative director of Lucasfilm Publishing. “This is a hopeful, optimistic time, when the Jedi are good and noble, and we want to reflect that in their characters while still giving them enough depth and dimension so that their individual personalities and idiosyncrasies shine through. The Jedi Knights of the High Republic are both aspirational and inspirational. In short, they’re the good guys.”

First up is Avar Kriss, “the brightest, most noble example of Jedi-hood. She always tries to see the good in people and situations, and never puts herself first. She is invigorated about life on the frontier and the challenges it brings, and is an inspiration for those who work with her. She is compassionate, not dogmatic, and always ready to sacrifice herself over others. Avar Kriss is the best of the best.”

Fans have long complained that the Jedi council we see in the prequel trilogy are too dogmatic, allowing their religious-like dedication to the Light Side of the Force to blind them to the growing threat of Palpatine and the Sith. Perhaps the High Republic Jedi were different?

Next, we have Loden Greatstorm. He’s a “Twi’lek Jedi Master, and is considered to be one of the best teachers in the Jedi Order. Strong and wise, with a good sense of humor, Loden looks at every moment as a learning experience, always trying to better himself and those around him, especially his Padawans.”

Above, we have Keeve Trennis, who’s wielding a dual-bladed lightsaber. “Keeve is a young firebrand Jedi, believed to have a great future ahead of her, if only she would believe it herself. Quick-witted and more impulsive than she should be, Keeve has only been a Jedi Knight for a few weeks and is a little starstruck around Avar, knowing many of the great things Kriss has done in the past. She is determined to prove herself to Avar and the other legendary Jedi stationed on Starlight Beacon, but first she must learn to trust in herself as much as she trusts the Force.”

Any clan has to have an impulsive newbie.

And here we have Master Stellan Gios, “an optimistic and well-respected Jedi Master,” according to his bio. “Stellan came up through the Order with Avar Kriss, and although they are often on different assignments for the Jedi or the Republic, when the two work together they are a powerhouse team of two noble heroes in action. Strong in the Force and a natural teacher, Stellan is currently stationed at one of the Jedi Temple outposts on the distant planet of Caragon-Viner.”

And finally, there’s Master Gios’ former padawan, Vernestra “Vern” Rwoh. She’s a “newly-minted Jedi Knight…She works hard and is devoted to the Jedi Order, more so than most others her age. At sixteen she is one of the youngest Knights in a generation. She struggles to fit in with the adults while also setting a good example for the younger Jedi.”

I’m really loving the addition of these Jedi to the official Star Wars canon. I love the older feel of the costumes and lightsaber designs.

If I had to guess, I’d say that Keeve Trennis is my odds-on early favorite character. Her description makes her sound like an Anakin Skywalker-like individual, who, if allowed to wander too far down a darker path, could be turned to the Dark Side.

The first works in the Star Wars: The High Republic series will be out this fall. Hit the comments below to tell us who your favorite of this bunch is!

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