Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Star Wars: Jedi Knights #1
After decades of seeing theJedi Orderfacing corruption with compromised values during theClone Wars, it’s nice to see a series that shows the Jedi as true guardians of peace and justice in the years just beforeThe Phantom Menace. Starring an impressive ensemble of Jedi Knights both old and new, Marvel’s newJedi Knightsseries is already an excitingStar Warsread after just one single issue. However, it also highlights a Jedi’s true role in the galaxy before the manipulations of Palpatine and the needs of the Republic tainted their mission before their fall.
In the newJedi Knights #1by Marc Guggenheim and Madibek Musabekov, Chancellor Valorum has sent several Jedi to deal with a pressing conflict between two worlds in the Outer Rim. While the battle initially begins with the Jedi entering the fray with lightsabers drawn ready to defend one side over the other, they soon learn that the truth of the conflict is more complex than they were led to believe.To that end, the Jedi Knights shift gears and adopt a new tactic, one that perfectly highlights their role as the guardians of peace and justice they were always meant to be.
Star Wars' New Jedi Series Opens With A Major Galactic War
Verkuna vs Syrinx Prime
At the onset of this first issue, several Jedi are shown right in the middle of the action on Syrinx Prime. Meanwhile, other Jedi Knights are shown attempting to broker peace talks with the leaders of Verkuna who’ve seemingly come to invade Syrinx Prime after years of tension and mistrust. After a failed attempt byQui-Gon Jinn and Berem Khanato convince Verkuna’s general to withdraw his forces, the Jedi convene on Syrinx Prime after Adi Gallia and Seera Longa discover a prison camp on Syrinx Prime full of civilians from Verkuna.
As a result, the Jedi quickly deduce that neither Verkuna nor Syrinx Prime has revealed the full truth of their war. There is no primary aggressor, and both sides carry blame for the violence and ongoing warfare.This changes things for the Jedi significantly, as their mission becomes less about defending one side from the other, and to instead achieve peace for both.
The Jedi Discover The Truth, And Adjust Accordingly
Forcing Peace As The Only Viable Option
Realizing that Syrinx Prime is just as much to blame for the war as Verkuna, the Jedi agree that they reacted to the conflict far too swiftly before they had all the details about the conflict.This is quite impressive in and of itself, as it shows that the Jedi Order was still capable of recognizing their own mistakes as opposed to years later during the Clone Wars which saw open warfare across the galaxy. In the face of the Republic falling apart and the Separatists fighting to create a new galactic government with the Republic’s destruction, the Jedi Order’s pride and hubris were manipulated by Darth Sidious from the shadows.
12 Jedi Who Were Padawans During The Clone Wars & Order 66 (& What Happened To Them)
The Clone Wars were one of the most trying times in all of Jedi history, and growing up as a Padawan during this time could not have been easy.
The Jedi agreed to become generals and commanders for the Republic, fighting in a war that lasted for years, all while Sidious continued to work toward his ultimate plan of revenge that resulted in theJedi Purge known as Order 66by the war’s end. The Jedi Order had largely come to believe that it was infallible and too big to fail, a mindset they paid dearly for when the time came for the Sith to strike.As such, it’s nice to see in this new issue that the Jedi are still willing during this period to reexamine and pivot, maintaining their core mandate as keepers of the peace, rather than soldiers fighting in war like they became during the Clone Wars.
Jedi Knights Is Showing What A Guardian of Peace and Justice Is Supposed To Look Like
Before Palpatine and The Clone Wars Compromised The Jedi Order
The primary narrative about the prequels' Jedi Order is that they were full of pride and it led to their demise. However, it’s been refreshing to see stories like Marvel’s newJedi Knightsseries,The Living Forceby John Jackson Miller, as well as the multitude of High Republic novels and comics that have all shown the Jedi at their very best.While Luke Skywalker failed to learn from the mistakes of the past, perhaps Rey will be able to bring back the Jedi as they always should have been before they were compromised by the Clone Wars.
Star Wars: Jedi Knights #1is on sale now from Marvel Comics.
