Yoda's younger years revealed in concept art for 'Star Wars: The High Republic' series

The new Star Wars publishing series The High Republic will feature a younger Yoda, centuries before The Phantom Menace — and new concept art of the Jedi master has been revealed.

Yoda will be a major character in the comic book series Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures, created by Daniel José Older.

Read more: Weird concept art for Baby Yoda in The Mandalorian

Older told the official Star Wars website that this version of Yoda is already a respected member of the Jedi Council, working as “a journeyman out in the galaxy” training a group of Padawans.

The series depicts him at around 700 years old, rather than the 900-year-old veteran seen in the movies.

Lucasfilm art director Troy Alders said: “The goal was to update Yoda, but to be careful and be true to the Yoda that we all know and love.

“Also, to really make sure that the new look was believable, as this is really the first time that there has been an opportunity to update his look and his clothing.

“It felt like a daunting and enormous responsibility to embark on and get right.”

Read more: Pedro Pascal knew people would "lose their minds” over Baby Yoda

Spanning multiple comic series, young adult novels and children’s books, The High Republic will examine a totally different corner of the Star Wars universe.

The new publishing franchise is set to launch in January 2021, with The High Republic Adventures one of the titles due to be released next year.

Yoda first appeared way back in 1980 as a Jedi master in exile on Dagobah in Empire Strikes Back, who trained Luke Skywalker.

He died in the sequel Return of the Jedi, but returned in the prequel trilogy as the leader of the Jedi Council and in 2017’s The Last Jedi as a Force ghost appearing to Luke.

Read more: Explaining the Star Wars timeline

Another member of Yoda’s species became the surprise star of Disney+ spin-off series The Mandalorian, as “The Child” captured the attention of the internet.

Affectionately dubbed Baby Yoda, the character will return when the second series of The Mandalorian debuts on 30 October.