The High Republic Adventures Free Comic Book Day 2021, a single-issue comic book, functions as a preliminary story to the canon comic book series titled Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures. This specific issue was penned by Daniel José Older, brought to life visually by Nick Brokenshire and Rebecca Nalty, and released by IDW Publishing on August 14, 2021 as part of Free Comic Book Day. The story within is titled "Attack on the Republic Fair".
Accompany Yoda, Buckets o'Blood, along with their Padawan students, as they embark on a quest to uphold peace during the Republic's golden age, serving as an introduction to IDW's Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures series! Crafted by Daniel José Older, the series' main writer, this serves as the perfect gateway into the High Republic universe-and is an essential read for dedicated fans!
Jedi Padawan Ram Jomaram feels assured that he will one day change the galaxy. In the past 24 hours, his city experienced an attack, he befriended new people, and he fully grasped the vastness of the galaxy. The issue remains that Lonisa City is still being attacked by the Nihil, necessitating the safe evacuation of as many individuals as possible. Lula Talisola inquires if everyone is prepared. With affirmations from Ram, Tip, and Zeen Mrala, Lula states their plan to proceed to the Jedi temple, gathering all those they encounter to bring them to safety there. The three teenagers ready their weapons, gearing up for action.
Amidst the city's ruins, Ram is taken aback by the extent of the devastation and suffering. As the group assembles civilians affected by the catastrophe, he considers that they can only assist one person at a time, yet it feels insufficient. Lula is in the process of informing the rescued individuals that they will assist them all to safety when a Nihil member on a speeder bike appears, announcing their claim over the city.
The trio unsheathe their weapons as Lula declares that the pirate must first overcome them, with Ram adding that the city is, in essence, his home, before instructing V-18 to engage them. The sight of the droid's missiles prompts the biker pirates to scatter, although Zeen points out their return trajectory and Lula reiterates the need to safeguard the civilians. However, Ram draws attention to a recent sighting: Ty Yorrick — who aided them in reaching Crashpoint Tower — riding a sanval while under attack by Nihil scav droids. They decide to provide assistance.
Lula proposes that she and Zeen can fend off the Nihil on the ground, and Ram mounts V-18, inviting the Bonbraks Tip and Breebak to join him. As the droid takes flight, Ram reflects on his confident tone and hopes it proves justified. Lowering his goggles, Ram has an idea. Using Force pulling to bring one of the scav droids closer, he employs the Force to analyze its mechanics. Achieving the desired result, he flies toward the aerial conflict, intending to gain their attention. Ty is taken by surprise upon seeing Ram and demands an explanation for his actions, but the Padawan launches the scav droid into the air, shouting for the other droids to "fetch" it. The droids promptly pursue the scav droid as it departs, much to Ty's astonishment.
She questions Ram about his actions, and he clarifies that he activated a mechanism in the droid, causing it to perceive itself as Ty and the sanval, before transmitting a signal to the other droids conveying the same information. Impressed, Ty infers that they all pursued it, and commends Ram's performance for a Padawan. As they part ways with the mercenary, Ram calls out to her, "May the Force be with you!" Back on the ground, Lula and Zeen repel some pirates using the Force. Noticing the retreat of the remaining pirates, the two girls exchange a high-five as Ram and V-18 return. Ram muses to himself that while he may not yet know how he will change the world, it will commence with the present actions, assisting one individual at a time and gaining deeper self-understanding along the way.
Despite the publisher's description of The High Republic Adventures Free Comic Book Day 2021 as a prequel to Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, the comic's events actually transpire immediately following those of The High Republic: Race to Crashpoint Tower.
Illustrations within Race to Crashpoint Tower depict Zeen Mrala wearing an ensemble consisting of a grey jacket paired with brown pants. However, despite Attack on the Republic Fair being set directly after the novel, Mrala is portrayed wearing the blue-and-tan robes she donned in the comic's initial story arc.