I have described Star Wars fans as the easiest group to bilk of their money, and Disney seem determined to prove me correct with their latest foray into the Star Wars universe, the High Republic.
Set centuries before the Star Wars trilogy we know and love, in the period when the Galactic Republic was at its peak, these are interconnected stories that will be printed in books and comics. Or will be, if there’s even a print industry in six months time.
In keeping with Disney’s focus on providing female role models for nobody to look up to, the main Jedi — the bestest Avar — Avar Kriss was depicted like this.
Now, if all you want is a Karen to ask to speak to your manager, then this is adequate, but comics are a visual medium inhabited by handsome masculine men, and beautiful feminine women, and Avar simply doesn’t fit.
Her hair is drab. Her skin is drab. Her clothes are drab. The pose is uninspired.
Indeed the character hardly looks female at all.
Certainly she in no way compares to the Disney blurb for her.
Avar is the brightest, most noble example of Jedi-hood. She always tries to see the good in people and situations, and never puts herself first. She is invigorated about life on the frontier and the challenges it brings, and is an inspiration for those who work with her. She is compassionate, not dogmatic, and always ready to sacrifice herself over others. Avar Kriss is the best of the best.
Faced with the conflict between her description and her depiction, artist Steve Wayne decided to redraw her.
I just had to fix Avar from #StarWars #TheHighRepublic (the bestest Jedi Avar!) because her original design is boring, uninspired, and way too masculine.
I mean, if your lead character is basically an overpowered and flawless goddess, at least make her look like one, right? pic.twitter.com/FIUweJiSE0
— S T E V E N – The Fandom Menace Illustrator™ (@StevenWayneArt) April 8, 2020
Here the character is now clearly feminine and attractive, and more than that this image is far more dynamic. Stepping forward, cape and hair flowing in the wind, saber ready to punish evil. This picture actually conveys excitement, whereas the original is just sad and boring.
Of course we all know that Disney is not going to hire anyone with this much passion for his work, so the High Republic will just be more of the same trash they tried to feed us with the sequel trilogy.
“The more things change, the more they stay the same.”
