Age of Republic - Qui-Gon Jinn 1 is the first issue of the comic book anthology series Star Wars: Age of Republic. The issue was written by Jody Houser, illustrated by Cory Smith, and published on December 5, 2018 by Marvel Comics.
Set before the events of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, the comic features the story "Balance," which follows Qui-Gon Jinn as he questions his role as a Jedi Master.
Publisher's summary[]
JEDI ORDER…OR CHAOS? Considered one of the greatest Jedi Knights or the one who led them to their doom, maverick QUI-GON JINN is one of STAR WARS' most controversial heroes. The JEDI MASTER is known to bend the rules and it's gotten him into plenty of trouble with the COUNCIL. Now, in the face of a mission that goes awry, he's forced to confront his conflicting beliefs. What will Qui-Gon uncover about his loyalty to the Jedi vs his loyalty to the FORCE? Guest-starring MASTER YODA!
Plot summary[]
| "BALANCE" |
|---|
Escape From Bri'n[]
What starts as a negotiation mission turns into an escape. Qui-Gon Jinn and The Priestess of Wood, Mistress Th'er attempt to escape the Metal Clan on the planet Bri'n. After the failure to settle terms with the violent enemy, being surrounded, and realizing that there was no peaceful solution to the conflict at hand, Qui-Gon rescues the mistress by leaping onto his Interceptor and ordering his Padawan, Obi-Wan Kenobi, to fly them back to Coruscant, capital of the Galactic Republic.
Th'er, however, is not amused, and as they arrive at Coruscant, she reprimands Qui-Gon, stating that she was told of mythical warriors of legend, not cowards who run away from a fight. Qui-Gon tries to argue his position at first, but the mistress' words inspire a question in his mind: Are the Jedi straying from their original purpose?
A Talk With Master Yoda[]
That evening at the Jedi Temple, Master Yoda seeks out Qui-Gon, as he senses "great turmoil" in him. The two sit down to discuss said turmoil.
Qui-Gon argues that the Jedi have become warriors rather than men of peace, men of the Force. His concerns fall on deaf ears, but Yoda reminds him that when one has questions, one must seek a deeper understanding of the Force, Qui-Gon comes up with a plan to solve his growing doubts in his order.
A Beautiful Place[]
Stepping into his ship, with only his astromech droid for company, Qui-Gon lets the Force guide him through the inky depths of space until he reaches a charted but undesignated planet somewhere in the reaches of the galaxy. Landing, Qui-Gon traverses beautiful scenery full of nature, untainted by technological advancement. But not all is peaceful; the Jedi soon senses a cold area of corruption: The Dark Side has enveloped parts of the planet. Qui-Gon however is unsure: Was he brought here to stop it... Or to learn from it?
Reaching a dark monument, Qui-Gon decides to sit down and meditate, wondering if light could be found even in such a desolate area.
A Vision[]
Qui-Gon soon finds himself in a dream landscape, a vision. A desert underneath a sun-soaked sky.
Black roots grow out of the ground and transform into menacing red figures. Qui-Gon unsheathes his lightsaber and tears them apart, a grin materializing on his face. However, once dead, the red figures transform once more into fallen Jedi, motionless beneath his feet. A shocked Qui-Gon finds black roots on his own hands, which turn into red roots that envelope him until he succumbs.
Balance[]
Qui-Gon wakes up screaming, but soon finds that it was all a vision, and more importantly, the Light Side had still managed to find its way into the dark monument. Leaving the planet, Qui-Gon makes an important realization: Balance can be reached through non-violent means, and that left unchecked, the Jedi could become that which they fight against.
Returning to Coruscant, Qui-Gon finds Th'er admiring the little nature the capital has. He offers to find allies to fight on her behalf against the Metal Clan, to find balance to save her way of life, but also enrich it. Th'er decides to give it a try.
Later that night, under a peaceful night sky, Qui-Gon sits with Yoda to admire the view. Yoda asks him if he found answers, and Qui-Gon replies that he did, alongside more questions, as it so often is with the Force. While Yoda seems to not understand the new profound realization Qui-Gon had made, Qui-Gon is satisfied with what there is. A Jedi must not bend, but also must not be too rigid.
Balance is the path and purpose of the Jedi.
Media[]
Editions[]
- UPC 759606091997; December 5, 2018; Marvel Comics[1]
- 00111; Cover A; Paolo Rivera
- 00121; Cover B; Romulo Fajardo Jr., Cory Smith
- 00131; Cover C; Lucasfilm Ltd.
- 00141; Cover D; Iain McCaig
- 00151; Cover E; Guru-eFX, Mike McKone
- 00161; Cover F; Elia Bonetti, Giuseppe Camuncoli
- 00112; Cover G; Cory Smith
Cover gallery[]
 Cover A  Cover A, unused logo  Cover A, unlettered  Cover B  Cover B, unlettered  Cover C  Cover C, unlettered  Cover D  Cover D, unlettered  Cover E  Cover F  Cover F, unlettered  Cover G |
Appearances[]
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
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Organisms
Droid models
Events
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Locations
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Organizations and titles
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Sentient species
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Vehicles and vessels
Weapons and technology
Miscellanea
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Collections[]
Sources[]
SDCC 2018: Queen's Shadow Revealed and More from the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)- NYCC 2018: Alphabet Squadron Revealed and More from the Lucasfilm Publishing Panel on StarWars.com (backup link)
- The Galaxy in Comics: Age of Republic – Qui-Gon Jinn and the Nature of a Jedi on StarWars.com (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Star Wars: Age of Republic - Qui-Gon Jinn (2018) #1 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of Age of Republic - Qui-Gon Jinn 1 to 37 BBY.
