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jenny_librarian's review
dark
informative
mysterious
fast-paced
3.75
I don’t know how to feel about this series. On one hand, it’s a must read to better understand what the Jedi are against in Phase 3. The film noir vibe of the first issue was also pretty cool. And I stand by my idea (brought up from reading the Jedi Path) that it would be great for Disney to do a detective series with a Jedi investigator, set in the High Republic era.
But on the other hand, the issues felt a bit disjointed, like I was missing information when moving on to the next issue. And was that a romance they tried to establish between Emerick and Sian? That didn’t land at all. They could’ve just been friendly. There’s no need for amatonormativity. Emerick’s casual mention of Avar and Stellan having once been a “thing” (or 2/3 of one) was plenty enough, and a much better inclusion of romance.
But on the other hand, the issues felt a bit disjointed, like I was missing information when moving on to the next issue. And was that a romance they tried to establish between Emerick and Sian? That didn’t land at all. They could’ve just been friendly. There’s no need for amatonormativity. Emerick’s casual mention of Avar and Stellan having once been a “thing” (or 2/3 of one) was plenty enough, and a much better inclusion of romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Gore and Torture
magically_blonde's review
5.0
This graphic novel includes THR Trail of Shadows #1-5. My reviews for each issue are as follows:
#1: Nice to know that even in Star Wars the children’s lullabies are deeply disturbing if you actually pay attention to the words! In all seriousness, I thought this was a great first issue of this new series. I’m unsure how these two stories connect so far, but they really hooked me with the cave writings being the lullaby that has been haunting the Jedi’s minds!
#2: Interesting to see another Pau’an in the universe, even if only for a brief moment. Anyways, I like the tension building in the story and the cuteness/cleverness of Q—his little tracker toss was incredible!
#3: I feel sad for Master Emerick. Elzar, Stellan, and Avar are so close. I had no idea he was in their class too. I wonder if that’s why he seems to always be in a mood…but then Sian’s hug at the end!!!!! My heart! I like the depictions of Starlight Beacon in this issue. It’s giving us a bigger picture of just how vast it is and how much can be going on at once. I also like the progression of the bigger story and the emotions we see through the various Jedi here, especially Emerick. I was crying at the final page…the first time I’ve ever cried over a comic. One of my favorite issues so far!
#4: Since I’m reading these in release order rather than timeline order, I never know exactly where we are in the timeline, but the last panel answered that REAL QUICK! I cannot believe it. I wonder what they’ll do to save Emerick now. I hope they have time to figure it out! This series is really keeping me gripped—probably my favorite of all the comics released so far!
#5: Not Master Buck stripping to his undies to then go and fight again!
#1: Nice to know that even in Star Wars the children’s lullabies are deeply disturbing if you actually pay attention to the words! In all seriousness, I thought this was a great first issue of this new series. I’m unsure how these two stories connect so far, but they really hooked me with the cave writings being the lullaby that has been haunting the Jedi’s minds!
#2: Interesting to see another Pau’an in the universe, even if only for a brief moment. Anyways, I like the tension building in the story and the cuteness/cleverness of Q—his little tracker toss was incredible!
#3: I feel sad for Master Emerick. Elzar, Stellan, and Avar are so close. I had no idea he was in their class too. I wonder if that’s why he seems to always be in a mood…but then Sian’s hug at the end!!!!! My heart! I like the depictions of Starlight Beacon in this issue. It’s giving us a bigger picture of just how vast it is and how much can be going on at once. I also like the progression of the bigger story and the emotions we see through the various Jedi here, especially Emerick. I was crying at the final page…the first time I’ve ever cried over a comic. One of my favorite issues so far!
#4: Since I’m reading these in release order rather than timeline order, I never know exactly where we are in the timeline, but the last panel answered that REAL QUICK! I cannot believe it. I wonder what they’ll do to save Emerick now. I hope they have time to figure it out! This series is really keeping me gripped—probably my favorite of all the comics released so far!
#5: Not Master Buck stripping to his undies to then go and fight again!
mandadorian's review
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
abigail_reads06's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
sersi's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
thecozyarchivist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I didn't really know what to expect going into Trail of Shadows but this is definitely one of my favorite comic runs of the High Republic so far. I loved that it was dark but still funny, and that it really helped to tie a lot of the story together. Definitely leaves you with some more questions than answers in the end, but it really makes me excited to move onto Phases II & III. The art is also fantastic and I really loved all the character designs.
joshykb's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This was like a classic detective “I work alone” type story mixed with Star Wars shenanigans. It was so good.
eddasm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0