IDW Announces Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, The First Entry In Disney’s New Publishing Initiative

Spencer Baculi |

Nov 19, 2020

In the latest collaboration between Disney and IDW, the comic book publisher has announced the upcoming release of the middle-school-aged-focused series Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, the first piece of media related to the ‘High Republic’ publishing initiative.

Created by writer Daniel José Older (Star Wars: Last Shot), artist Harvey Tolibao (Green Lantern New Guardians) and colorist Rebecca Nalty (Xena: Warrior Princess (2019)), Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures is described as “a tale of the Republic’s glory days that — while aimed at middle grade readers — provides a unique perspective to pivotal moments in the Star Wars timeline that fans of all ages can enjoy.”

“In Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures,” which takes place 200 years before the live action film continuity, “the Jedi have long maintained galactic peace… but the coming of a powerful new adversary called the Nihil threatens to end it all,” reads the books’ synopsis. “Now, a group of Master Yoda’s young Padawan learners must protect the Republic while learning the lessons that will one day lead them to become powerful Jedi in their own right.”

In promotion of the book, Older shared how he was “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,” he added. “I can’t wait for the fans to see what we’re cooking up.”

In the same vein, Tolibao explained how “Star Wars has always been a part of my life, and was my first huge project back when my career started with Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic in 2006” and asserted that “It’s awesome being part of the High Republic team, working alongside amazing writer Daniel, editors Elizabeth Brei and Riley Farmer, and Lucasfilm. It’s a dream come true.”

“It’s a thrill for us to get to participate in the storytelling of this bold new era of Star Wars lore,” said editor Elizabeth Brei. Daniel, Harvey, and Rebecca are building an incredible chapter of the story that is truly essential reading for the High Republic initiative.”

Lucasfilm Publishing Creative Director Michael Siglain also expressed the company’s excitement towards the series, saying “Daniel, Harvey, and Rebecca have crafted a truly thrilling comic series for fans of all ages. Featuring a dual narrative that focuses on the heroic Jedi and the sinister Nihil.”

Siglain also pointed to how the book features “a diverse group of young Padawans” as a selling point, teasing that the young Jedi students will find themselves in over their heads, lightsaber action, mysterious new villains, more lightsaber action, and Master Yoda, and that’s just the first two issues.”

“This one is not to be missed,” he concluded.

The first issue of Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures will drop on February 3^rd, 2021, and will feature two variant covers, one by Tolibao and a Retailer Incentive by independent artist Yael Nathan.

Are you excited for IDW’s new Star Wars offering? Does this first glimpse at The High Republic make you excited for future entries? Let us know your thoughts on social media or in the comments down below!