Maz Kanata joins The High Republic Adventures comics

Maz Kanata was one of the most intriguing characters introduced in the Star Wars sequel trilogy. As a Force-sensitive pirate queen who’s been alive for more than 1,000 years, Maz is a unique character who has lived through many of the most important events in galactic history.

Given her background and her age, she was one of the few previously established characters who could show up in the High Republic era alongside the likes of Yoda and Jabba the Hutt.

Thanks to Daniel José Older and Comic Watch, we now know that Maz Kanata will join the High Republic in issue 9 of The High Republic Adventures comics. The preview released by Comic Watch and by Older on Twitter shows that Maz had a role in raising the lovable Jedi Padawan Qort when he was an adorable baby.

In addition to these flashbacks, Maz is featured in the present storyline of the comic issue. She is overjoyed to be reunited with Qort and to see how he has grown and matured.

The High Republic Adventures

Maz’s involvement in this story makes a lot of sense as her home planet Takodana was attacked by the Nihil in issue 8 of The High Republic Adventures. While Krix and the Nihil failed, they will strike again, and Maz will now team up with Qort and the other Jedi to defend her home.

As a Force-sensitive individual who is not a Jedi, it will fascinating to see how Maz works with the Jedi and what role she’ll play in their defense of Takodana.

It is interesting to know that hundreds of years before the First Order attacked Takodana, the Nihil also attacked the planet. Back then, Maz was able to defend her home alongside accomplished Jedi Masters and Padawans.

When the First Order attacked, there were no trained Jedi to help Maz, as Rey was not yet ready to go down that path and Finn fought with a lightsaber for the first time without any training or any idea about his true abilities. The contrast in this Jedi presence and experience shows one way in which the galaxy changed significantly between the High Republic and the sequel trilogy.

Maz helps create a bridge between these eras. She influenced Qort’s path in the High Republic and greatly influenced the paths of Rey and Finn during the sequel trilogy.

A larger role for Maz has long been overdue. It is great to see her entering the High Republic, connecting distant eras of Star Wars and playing what appears to be a prominent role in issue 9 of The High Republic Adventures.

The High Republic Adventures #9 releases on Oct. 6, 2021. And for more, follow the Star Wars comics category on Dork Side of the Force.