Star Wars: The High Republic appears to be giving Marchion Ro, leader of the Nihil, a deadly new lightsaber-based weapon. The future of Star Wars lies in the past - specifically, in the exploration of the High Republic Era. Lucasfilm has recently launched a bold new transmedia initiative set some 200 years before the events of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace, at a time long before the shroud of the dark side fell across the galaxy.
This was an age of exploration, with the Republic pressing on to explore the Outer Rim. Unfortunately, there are shadows gathering in the Outer Rim, notably a group of scavengers who call themselves the Nihil. They were originally simply raiders, but in Charles Soule's novel Light of the Jedi the Nihil were transformed into something a lot more dangerous - a predatory group who promise to use their knowledge of hyperspace and their fanatical devotion to chaos to cause as much death and bloodshed across the galaxy as possible. They are led by a ruthless, Machiavellian figure called Marchion Ro, who aims to make his mark on the entire galaxy.
Now Wanted Comix has unveiled its exclusive variant covers for High Republic #3, featuring art by Will Sliney. It's a stunning image of Marchion Ro, perhaps teasing the leader of the Nihil will himself appear in the issue, and intriguingly he is bearing a very distinctive weapon - clearly based on lightsaber technology.
In Light of the Jedi, Marchion Ro successfully captured Jedi Master Loden Greatstorm, and was particularly pleased to acquire his lightsaber - which has an orange blade, exactly the same shape as the weapon Marchio Ro is shown holding in Will Sliney's image. It's possible this is a lightspear, an ancient weapon developed by the Sith and only ever mentioned before, or perhaps is somehow related to a lightsaber pike. Marchio Ro would not pursue any technology if he did not believe it gave him an edge in combat, so it will be interesting to learn more of this new weapon.
Star Wars: The High Republic is a fascinating transmedia initiative, primarily taking place in a range of novels and comics. So far, the comics seem to predominantly be concerned with another emerging threat, a dark side race known as the Drengir, and with hyperspace disasters that are scouring the galaxy. But it is possible Marchon Ro and the Nihil are about to become a lot more important to the comics as well.
Source: Wanted Comix