Jedi of the Republic – Mace Windu 1
title: "Jedi of the Republic – Mace Windu 1"
The initial issue of the canon comic book miniseries titled Star Wars: Jedi of the Republic – Mace Windu is Jedi of the Republic – Mace Windu 1. Marvel Comics released it on August 30, 2017, featuring writing by Matt Owens and illustrations by Denys Cowan. The story unfolds soon after the events depicted in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones.
Publisher's summary
For millennia, the Jedi served as guardians of peace across the galaxy. However, with the Clone Wars now underway, they are thrust into a new position: commanders within the Republic's military. As the conflict erupts, Mace Windu, a distinguished Jedi warrior, leads a small group of Jedi into the fray. These Jedi are faced with a critical choice: adapt to their wartime role or risk being consumed by the pervasive violence!
Plot summary
Mace Windu is in the Jedi Temple located on Coruscant, where he communicates via hologram with Ki-Adi-Mundi, a fellow Jedi Master. He reflects on the Battle of Geonosis, a conflict that exacted a significant toll. The presence of many Force-sensitive beings has diminished, becoming mere echoes, yet their essence remains, integrated into the Force. Acknowledging the void left by their absence, the Jedi must now consolidate their strength amidst the escalating war, a resurgence of violence they foresaw. Mace voices his reservations about the Jedi's evolving role within the Republic. When Mundi inquires, Mace clarifies that the Jedi have historically championed galactic peace and protected life, sometimes necessitating a shift from defense to offense. They are now tasked with leading the Republic, requiring Jedi Masters to step down from their positions. The two Jedi then raise a toast to the pursuit of peace and honor the sacrifices of those who have fallen, after which Windu is summoned to address the Jedi High Council.
Yoda initiates a discussion about the war and their dwindling numbers. With the Separatist forces expanding and extending their influence into the Outer Rim, Mace is assigned a mission to counter this expansion. Hissrich, a jungle planet, serves as a Separatist stronghold, evidenced by the recent arrival of numerous vessels. Mace is tasked with leading a small team to observe the Separatist's actions and ascertain their objectives. However, due to limited resources, a Clone unit cannot be allocated to the mission. Having already chosen the Jedi that will join him, Mace introduces Kit Fisto, a fellow council member known for his bravery during the Clone Wars and his ability to thrive in challenging environments. Prosset Dibs, who lacks physical sight but possesses exceptional intuition, will offer valuable insights, and Rissa Mano, a newly appointed Jedi Knight with expertise in piloting and engineering, will also join. Later, Yoda seeks out Windu to share some final words before his departure, sensing his inner turmoil. When Mace expresses his concerns about the challenging times and the doubts clouding his judgment, Yoda advises him to trust in the Force, which tests them but guides them as needed. He also encourages Mace to have faith in his own abilities as a wise and capable leader. While Mace laments the lives lost on Geonosis, Yoda questions how many more lives will be at stake if he fails to lead and fight. Before Windu leaves, Yoda reminds him to have faith in the Force and in himself, assuring him of his own trust in him.
Mace and his team embark on their mission aboard Mano's T-6 shuttle, the Westwind. En route, Rissa employs signal scrambling technology to cloak the ship's presence. Meanwhile, Kit Fisto informs Prosset Dibs of their impending arrival, to which Dibs responds that Fisto perceives very little despite his large eyes. Dibs senses the Force recoiling from the Jedi's involvement in war, but Mace interjects, affirming that they are where they need to be. He explains that the planet is poorly documented and shrouded in near-constant darkness, receiving light from a distant sun for only about an hour each month. They will leverage this obscurity to their advantage for their covert operation, and Mace instructs them to change into specialized attire designed to regulate body temperature on the humid surface before landing. As the Jedi disembark from the shuttle, Mace detains Dibs for a private discussion. Dibs conveys his unease about the Force, noting that their teachings and beliefs are being put to the test, leaving him uncertain about the path ahead. Mace offers his perspective, stating that war breeds confusion, so they must remain steadfast in their core teachings, including the necessity of combat.
As the Jedi advance, Rissa expresses to Fisto her admiration for Master Windu, recognizing him as an embodiment of Jedi principles. She has studied his teachings extensively, integrating his lightsaber combat style into her own. She considers him one of the top five Jedi Masters, and when Fisto asks about his own ranking, she places him in the top twenty to thirty. Suddenly, the Jedi encounter a Separatist patrol squadron and devise a plan for a swift and decisive strike. As one droid laments the monotony of patrol duty, another fears that he has jinxed them, and indeed, the Jedi launch their assault, quickly dispatching the droids. As they assess the situation, the Jedi sense an impending threat and find themselves surrounded by the planet's native inhabitants. In the distance, a battle droid observes the scene through macrobinoculars and hurries to inform his commander. The droid, traveling on a STAP, returns to the Separatist outpost and urgently reports the presence of Jedi in sector two zero nine. The commander then criticizes the Jedi's reliance on their own doctrine, the Force. While the Jedi place their faith in the Force, the commander, a mercenary droid named AD-W4, trusts only in credits.
Continuity
Jedi of the Republic – Mace Windu, Part I marks the initial appearance of the Jedi character Prosset Dibs, who later reappears as the Tenth Brother Inquisitor in the fourth arc of Charles Soule's Darth Vader comic series.
Media
Editions
- UPC 759606087617; August 30 , 2017 ; Marvel Comics [1] 00111; Cover A; Jesús Saiz[1] 00121; Cover B; Javier Rodriguez 00131; Cover C; Rahzzah 00141; Cover D; Russell Dauterman, Matthew Wilson 00151; Cover E; Lucasfilm Ltd. 00161; Cover F; Lucasfilm Ltd. 00171; Cover G; John Tyler Christopher