Comic Book Review: Trail of Shadows #1
With how wide-ranging The High Republic is becoming, it was only a matter of time before the stories began to truly branch out into a variety of genres. With the latest Marvel comics miniseries, Trail of Shadows, author Daniel José Older officially brings the world of film noir to the Galaxy Far, Far Away.
The issue opens with an illustration of the haunting final moments of The Rising Storm. After suffering a loss at the hands of the Nihil, Masters Stellan Gios and Indira Stokes and Padawan Bell Zettifar watch in horror as the petrified remains of what was once Loden Greatstorm crumble into dust. At Stellan’s request, the mystery of what happened to the once-great Twi’lek Jedi is picked up by Jedi investigator Emerick Caphtor, who finds himself hitting a wall - the remains contain no matter that could conceivably be tied back to Loden.
His investigation leads him to the world of Vrant Tarnum, where a Nihil base was found by Jedi Vernestra Rwoh and Kantam Sy. Stellan believes that this is somehow connected to what they experienced with Loden.
Meanwhile, on the lower levels of Coruscant, Sian Holt, a private investigator, is trying to keep track of her partner Keefar Branto, a man whose parole she vouched for. Though it’s obvious she is in some kind of danger, it’s not clear just yet how her story will intersect with Emerick’s.
What ties the issue together is the repeated refrain of the nursery rhyme that both Emerick and Stellan heard as children. It is a terrifying tune that both of them take in turns to sing unconsciously, which winds up playing a larger role later in the issue. Keen High Republic fans have noticed that the tune, “Shrii Ka Rai”, actually appears in the fourth part of the High Republic audio drama Tempest Runner. Will this wind up being important to the mystery? As Emerick’s droid points out “In an investigation, everything is something and nothing is nothing.”, so signs point to yes.
Also, the Jedi that keeps a watch over the younglings, as seen in flashback, is nothing short of terrifying. No wonder the kids can’t sleep.
The artwork in this issue is fantastic. Artist David Watcher and colourist Giada Marchiso really manage to capture the film noir vibe of the story and visually distinguish it from the mainline Marvel comic run.
Trail of Shadows is off to a wonderful, engaging start and I cannot wait to see how Sian and Emerick’s stories tie together, and what the creepy nursery rhyme has to do with any of it.
Trail of Shadows #1: Trail of Shadows is available now.
