Warning: Spoilers for Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures - Dispatches from the Occlusion Zone #4The latest installment ofStar Wars: The High Republic Adventuresbrings back a species of force users that could givePoison Ivya run for her money. The Republic Fleet has recruited the tempest breakers to investigate Dala - a planet destroyed by a failed experimental weapon that detonated inside its core. While exploring the caves below the planet’s surface, they encounter a rare Lonto plant mage named Vila.
The Lonto are a unique group offorce-sensitive beings with a deep-rooted connection to the natural world, which they use to control plant life through force.Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures - Dispatches from the Occlusion Zone#4 by Cavan Scott and Vincenzo Riccardi showcases just how strong these abilities are, as Vila is able to take on the tempest breakers single-handedly, wrapping up the entire crew in airtight cocoons made of vines.
The fact that she could take on multiple force users alone should be more than enough to earn her a jealous glare from DC Comics' Dr. Pamela Isley.
The Lonto’s Have a Long History in Star Wars Canon that Rivals Poison Ivy’s Tragedy
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures - Dispatches from the Occlusion Zone#4 by Cavan Scott, Vincenzo Riccardi, Jimmy Betancourt, and Tyler Smith
Although this may be the first time many readers have encountered the Lonto,they’ve actually been part of Star Wars canon for a few yearsafter first appearing in the story “Peace and Unity” from 2022’sStar Wars:The High Republic#1 by Cavan Scott, Andrea Broccardo, Frank William, and Ariana Maher from Marvel Comics. While they are natural light-side Force-users,they are not Jedi, but they have been equally persecuted. Their peaceful existence has been threatened for centuries.
Star Wars Has Secretly Brought Back A Dangerous Dark Side Race Older Than The Sith
A dangerous Force-sensitive species from the Star Wars Legends timeline has joined the modern canon - and this species has a connection to the Sith.
At first, the Lonto were persecuted by the Path of the Open Hand,a cult that disapproved of Force users. They harnessed the power of the Nameless, a beast that preys on force-sensitive creatures and created hallucinations that manipulated the Lonto into attacking their citizens. Those who survived continued to face tragedy, as many were abducted by Nihil pirates, who used them to create weapons for Jedi hunters. The Lonto’s tragic history makes Vila’s recent appearance all the more rewarding.
The Lonto’s Plant-Based Power Is More Than Just A Weapon
It’s an Early Form of the Force
While Vila’s abilities in this issue certainly showcase the lethal potential of these powers, they aren’t exclusively used as a weapon. The Lonto are light-side users, after all. The Lonto can use their Chlorokintic abilitiesto heal injuries through the controlled growth of Tragia leaves,which are essentially fancy Jedi space aloe. On more than one occasion, the Lonto have used Tragia to bring fallen Jedi back from the brink of death, andit could possibly be an early precursor to Force healing abilitiesthat Jedi use further down the timeline.
The Lonto has a rare perspective on the Force, and including them once again in the series further expands the nature-based Force abilities.
It’s exciting to see niche Force-users get the spotlight they deserve, especially as depicted by Riccardi. The Lonto have a rare perspective on the Force, and including them once again in thisHigh Republicseries further expands the nature-based Force abilities. ThisStar Warscomic set during the High Republic era delivers a thrilling battle that showcases the Lonto’s unique powers in action - and in a perfect twist on the classic DC villain,Poison Ivy.
Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures - Dispatches from the Occlusion Zone#4is available now from Dark Horse Comics.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
Poison Ivy
Inducted into Batman’s rogues gallery in the 1960s, Poison Ivy is a metahuman who terrorizes Gotham with her poisonous touch and control over plant life. A misanthropic eco-terrorist, Poison Ivy is also depicted as an anti-hero, using her powers in attempts to regrow the environment in the wake of pollution and deforestation. Together with her lover Harley Quinn, the two are always ready to wreak havoc in Gotham.
