Comic Book Review: Trail of Shadows #2
by Arezou
It seems the mystery of the creepy nursery rhyme is going to have to wait a little longer.
When we last left off, private invesitagor Sian Holt was shot in an alleyway and her partner Keefar Branto was murdered, while Jedi Master Emerick Caphtor found a temple on Vrant Tarnum with the words “Shrii Ka Rai Ka Rai” inscribed on the wall.
When the second issue of Trail of Shadows picks up a few weeks later, Emerick has made little progress with the investigation into Loden Greatstorm’s death, and Sian is paralyzed by fear after the attack. They are both summoned to Chancellor Lina Soh’s office, and assigned to work on their individual cases together, since the Chancellor believes Loden and Keefar’s deaths might be related.
Together, they follow a new lead to Vorzyd V, a haven for gamblers, where they’ve received word a high ranking Nihil is looking to sell a very valuable weapon within the criminal underworld.
Even though Emerick is reluctant to work with Sian when they first set out, it becomes clear right away that they are well suited to a partnership. When they arrive at the sellers location, only to find it’s now an active crime scene, they work together veery naturally to piece together the truth of what really happened. And it’s far more complicated than a spice deal gone wrong.
They follow word of a shootout further into the city, and use Emerick’s droid Q2 as a spy to record what is going on. Unsure of whom they can trust, they call Stellan Gios back on Coruscant and send him footage of the high ranking Nihil in question: none other than Marchion Ro’s psychotic Chadra-Fan with a questionable medical degree Dr. Kisma Uttersond.
Once again, artist David Wachter and colourist Giada Marchisio have managed to capture that slightly unsettling film noir vibe. The whole thing comes to life so vividly it feels cinematic in a way comic books usually don’t for me. They also do a fantastic job visually distinguishing Coruscant’s almost glittering underworld, with the far grittier urban environment on Vorzyd V.
Daniel José Older has really written something special with these characters. So far, his work in the High Republic has been set largely among the children of the Jedi Order. While he does tell a wonderful coming of age tale, it’s great to see him flex his wings and write a completely different kind of story. The contrast between Emerick’s stoic, serious nature and Sian’s moral ambiguity makes for a fascinating interpersonal character dynamic. They have wonderful chemistry - interpret that how you will - and seem to be getting along much better despite initial misgivings.
A Trail of Shadows continues to be a highlight of The High Republic, and is well worth the read for anyone curious about the comics, but hesitant to invest in the lengthier main runs.
Trail of Shadows #2: Way Down Deep In The Dark is available now.
