Character of the Week: Avar Kriss
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Avar Kriss is one of the featured characters in the new Star Wars multimedia project, The High Republic. The High Republic era is set in the Star Wars Universe about 232 BBY (Before the Battle of Yavin). This era is said to be the height of the Galactic Republic and the golden age of the Jedi Order. The Jedi are significantly more active throughout the galaxy during this time. The High Republic era was also a time of exploration in many outer rim territories. Avar’s character was created for the upcoming book by Charles Soule, The High Republic: Light of the Jedi.
Who is Avar Kriss?
Avar Kriss was a Jedi Master during the time of the High Republic. She served on the Starlight Beacon, a space station based in the frontier of the galaxy. She naturally possesses qualities that all Jedi strive to hold. She always puts herself last, thinks about others first, had compassion for others, and tried to find the good in all people and situations.
Avar was also a model Jedi for the upcoming generation. She achieved remarkable accomplishments during her time as a Jedi, which inspired a young Keeve Trennis.
Other Appearances
Avar Kriss does make one other appearance in Star Wars Canon in The Rise of Kylo Ren comic miniseries issue #3, written by Charles Soule. In a flashback cut scene, one of Ben Solo’s Jedi training classmates, Hennix is studying a Jedi Holocron and suddenly it opens. A hologram of an unknown Jedi appears and says “Hello searcher, I will guide you on your way.” Later the comic’s writer, Charles Soule, confirmed that the unknown Jedi is Avar Kriss. As mentioned, Soule is also writing Light of the Jedi and is one of the architects of the High Republic project. Soule has snuck High Republic mentions into a few of his recent comic issues.
Overall Thoughts
Avar Kriss seems very familiar and I think most Star Wars fans will see a lot of Obi-Wan Kenobi’s characteristics in her. Just like Obi-Wan, Avar tries to be the best of the best. She seems to hold herself to a higher standard than most Jedi. We do not know much about her right now but I’m curious to find out how alike the two characters end up being.
Obi-Wan always put himself above everyone else. He never let his emotions overtake him and cloud his judgment. Even when things got emotional for him like when he fell in love with Duchess Satine Kyrze during his time on Mandalore, he was able to put his feelings aside and continue his training. He regretted leaving her but he did what had to be done. He followed the Jedi code and stayed true to its teachings.
The Obi-Wan comparisons are also important if Kriss ends up having a deep connection to Keeve Trennis, who we’ve speculated may end up turning villain by the time the High Republic stories are over. Could an Obi-Wan/Anakin style relationship be in order? Only time will tell.
I have been a serious fan of Star Wars for a few years now and like most fans, I am looking forward to exploring the High Republic and learning about these new characters. I want to see how these new stories unfold and if the characters are at all like the ones I am familiar with. I also want to know if any of their stories are distantly connected to the ones we already know.
Light of the Jedi is our first chance to see Avar Kriss in action. Pending delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the novel will release on August 25th, 2020.
