Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures number 2 represents the sophomore release in the canon comic book series titled Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures. Daniel José Older served as the writer, while Harvey Tolibao and Rebecca Nalty provided the illustrations. IDW Publishing initially released it to the public on March 3, 2021. The story, titled "Bralanak City Smackdown," showcases the Jedi and Nihil factions engaging in combat upon Trymant IV.
Trymant IV is engulfed in blazing destruction! Zeen and Krix, who have been best friends since childhood, seek refuge, while Yoda's Padawans, Lula, Farzal [sic], and Qort, attempt to evacuate civilians. However, the Nihil's ship prevents anyone from boarding. As a massive conflict erupts, Krix and Zeen are forcibly separated!
Daniel José Older, the writer and bestselling author of Star Wars: Last Shot, along with artist Harvey Tolibao, introduce IDW to The High Republic, a vast publishing initiative that encompasses both comics and prose!
Lula Talisola, along with her companions Farzala Tarabal and Qort, and their new friend Zeen Mrala, find themselves encircled by Nihil. The Nihil demand the Jedi surrender due to their superior numbers and firepower. While Zeen searches for her friend Krix, Farzala inquires about their next course of action. Lula responds that they have no alternative but to engage in battle. A pirate brags about crushing the "tiny Jedi," only to be interrupted by a voice from behind. It's the diminutive Grand Master Yoda, who suggests that he might be of assistance if they are looking for tiny Jedi. Accompanying him is Chagrian Jedi Master Torban Buck, who loudly proclaims, "Buckets of Blood has arrived on the scene!" The Padawans are momentarily taken aback by the nickname, but all the Jedi swiftly join the fight.
Above, at the base of the Nihil Spider Cruiser, Krix, alongside Elder Tromak, expresses concern that Zeen is caught in the midst of the battle. Tromak questions whether Zeen actually used the Force moments ago, but Krix remains uncertain. However, Marchion Ro interrupts, coldly pointing out that they all clearly witnessed Zeen's Force sensitivity, which violates the rules of the sect Tromak belongs to, and that she has already sided with the Jedi against them.
Ro adds that Krix will be abandoned to the chaos because he continues to defend his "heretic" friend. Tromak interjects, insisting that the boy is his indispensable assistant and that the girl obviously means nothing to him. Krix hesitates, and Tromak adds that he will not be able to find the information Ro sought him out for without the boy's help. Down below, Krix sees Zeen calling his name.
Zeen informs the Jedi Masters that her friend has been captured by the Nihil and that she believes Tromak has sided with the pirates. Lula supports her, arguing that they must help her because she used the Force to assist them, and offers to sneak around and rescue Krix. Yoda overrules her, stating that he will find the boy, and orders Buck to get the apprentices to safety. Buck is uncertain, noting that he is a healer, not a combat Jedi, and was only along to teach the apprentices basic first aid. They are interrupted by a warning shout from Farzala, as a Gigoran pirate hurls a deadly projectile their way. Yoda swiftly dispatches the object, to Lula's amazement, before asking Zeen if he can borrow Cham Cham, her pet cru. Zeen warns the Grand Master to be careful with him, and Lula reassures Master Buck that they have "got" the situation. He hopes she is right.
However, Ro recognizes Yoda upon seeing him approaching and hurriedly boards the starship, ordering the forward team to crush the approach, since they have what they need and can leave. He also orders them to ensure Yoda does not get near the ship, as he could ruin Ro's plans. Tromak is ordered to follow, but he insists that they cannot leave Krix behind. Ro then receives a report from Zagyar that Yoda has vanished, and insists that if the boy is going to stay, he had better make himself useful and find the Jedi. Hidden, Yoda overhears the conversation as Krix wonders, "Where are you…?"
Buck and the Padawans, accompanied by Zeen, fight their way through a mass of pirates. Aboard the Spider Cruiser, Krix is surprised by Yoda. Despite his apprehensions about Jedi, he is told by the Grand Master that a friend of his sent him to help. Yoda, showing Cham Cham tucked in his robe, gives Krix a holoprojector and tells him to use it when he needs help, adding that he will give Zeen the receiver. Krix is shocked to see the Jedi with his friend's pet, proof that Zeen sent him, since she had lied to him.
Amidst the battle in Bralanak City, Farzala inquires about their progress, as the two Padawans wield their lightsabers while Zeen Force pushes pirates back. Lula comments that Zeen is a natural, which embarrasses her. Farzala is alarmed, pointing out that Buck is surrounded by enemies yelling about how much he hates fighting, suggesting that "Buckets of Blood" might need assistance. Lula calls on the Padawans to attack, and as the pirates retreat, Buck notes they have been saved: a Galactic Republic rescue fleet has arrived.
Aboard the Spider Cruiser, a conflicted Krix raises the alarm about the green Jedi, and Yoda notes that the child is stubborn as he runs off. While sneaking around, Yoda finds a box that intrigues him, remarking on the secrets contained on the ship. He opens the box to find something that glows purple and concerns him, before hiding again, deciding to escape quietly as there are too many pirates. However, Cham Cham foils that plan, to Yoda's exasperation.
Buck thanks the Padawans for coming to his rescue, and Farzala and Lula ask why he calls himself "Buckets of Blood" if he hates fighting so much. He explains that it is because, as a healer, he helps keep blood inside of the body to save lives. Lula and Farzala still do not get it. The Spider Cruiser takes off, concerning Zeen as Cham Cham, Yoda and Krix are still onboard. Buck notes they will not get far as the Republic is setting up a blockade to escort in the medical frigate.
Yoda appears behind them, stating that the ship must be stopped. Zeen and Lula are surprised by the Grand Master and Cham Cham's appearance, and Yoda reveals that the cru ate the fingers of one of the Nihil as he returns the pet. Yoda tells Zeen that she must accompany the Jedi to the Starlight Beacon. She asks about Krix, and Yoda tells her that the Jedi are only able to save those who wish to be rescued.
The Spider Cruiser approaches the blockade, which includes the frigate and Jedi Vectors. Ro orders the starboard cannons readied as they prepare to break through. The shields are raised, and as Krix expresses concern about the Vectors, Ro orders the frigate targeted with a full-powered blast. As the Vectors converge to assist the damaged frigate, Ro orders the cruiser taken into hyperspace. Krix is shocked that they are leaving the Trymant system, because he does not want to leave Zeen behind, but Ro coldly retorts that she lied to him and sent a Jedi who put half of Ro's crew in the medical bay. The ship enters hyperspace, and Krix lies that Zeen is no one to him.
Aboard the Star Hopper, Lula comforts a crying Zeen. The Mikkian admits that of all the places she has lived, Bralanak City was the only one she had ever called home, but given that the Elders of the Path never accepted her for who she really was, maybe she has never known what a home is. Lula says that she left her home so long ago she does not remember it, but she found a new home with her friends. Farzala and Qort back her up, saying that they have "got" Zeen. As the cruiser prepares to dock with the Starlight Beacon, Lula reassures Zeen that they are going to the best place in the galaxy.
At the conclusion of issue 1, Lula Talisola's lightsaber is activated as she and her comrades find themselves surrounded by the Nihil. This particular issue commences with Talisola activating her lightsaber in the second panel, where she declares that the Padawans have no other option but to engage in combat.
A previously-unseen model of medical frigate makes its debut in this installment. In one specific panel, the design of one of these vessels bears a striking resemblance to that of the Pelta-class frigate, a ship that initially appeared in the 2008 film Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
- UPC 827714020656; March 3 , 2021 ; IDW Publishing ; First printing [1] 00211; Cover A; Harvey Tolibao & Kevin Tolibao 00221; Cover B; Yael Nathan