Review: ‘The High Republic Adventures’ #5 Is a Well-Paced Action Romp
The High Republic Adventures continues to put out hit after hit. Even though I’ve had problems with this series in previous phases, the creative team continues churning out enjoyable stories worth readers’ time in phase 3 of The High Republic. And the same can be said here with The High Republic Adventures issue #5.
In my last review for issue #4, I described that issue as being messy. Writer Daniel José Older and illustrator Elisa Romboli cleaned it up this time. It’s a much more enjoyable story that’s very well-paced, despite multiple moving parts. I do have one gripe, however, regarding the ending and where the series is going overall. But at this moment, there’s a lot to enjoy with the story that’s been told already.
The last issue saw Lula, Zeen, and the crew plotting a rescue mission. After discovering a Nihil prison ship carrying their friends, the team launched an attack. In the meantime, Jedi Farzala Tarabal and “Buckets of Blood” incited a riot that didn’t go as planned.
Echoing what I mentioned last time, Elisa Romboli and colorist Michael Atiyeh bring amazing vibrancy to each page. There are a lot of eye-popping “hero shots” and unique page layouts that make each page a joy to read. And the action — like the last issue — is fluid, dynamic, and doesn’t pull any of its punches.
But the real star of this issue is writer Daniel José Older. In this issue, I counted four different subplots going on. There’s the subplot with Jedi Farzala helping the prisoners, the subplot with Lula and Zeen taking out bad guys on the ship, and the one from the villain’s perspective featuring mad scientist Niv Drendow, to name a few. While some less experienced comic writers may feel overwhelmed or not give each story enough time, Older handles this expertly. Each subplot has enough room. And Older switches back and forth between these plots at just the right time.
The only qualm I have with this installment is the comic’s ending. The ending of this issue hints at the overall series focusing on Lula and Zeen, again. While these two have always been the main characters of The High Republic Adventures, I feel like the story for these two is going in circles. It feels like no progress has been made regarding their relationship, even though we’re five issues in.
While I’d like to see the series hopefully move beyond just Lula and Zeen, I do still enjoy this comic. There are a lot of other characters I’d like to see used and played with, including Farzala and Niv Drendow. There’s still time. But even then, The High Republic Adventures issue #5 is a blast to read thanks to well-paced storytelling and stunning artwork.
Rating: 8.5/10
Thank you to Dark Horse for providing the advanced review copy used for this writing. The High Republic Adventures issue #5 is available at local comic book stores and digital store shelves now.
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Born and raised in Hawaii, Jay Goodearl runs the YouTube Gaming channel “Good Games, Dude” His channel aims to open up video games to beginners and immediate players and help them understand what makes games the art form that it is.
