Published: December 28, 2022
Rating: T
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Marco Castiello
Colourist: Jim Charalampidis
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Cover Artist: Giuseppe Camuncoli & Frank Martin
The synopsis;
PART I
Hundreds of years before the Skywalker Saga, witness the rise of a legend—the mighty Jedi PORTER ENGLE, perhaps the most skilled lightsaber wielder in the High Republic. With his fellow Jedi Knight Barash, he travels the galaxy, serving as a guardian of peace and justice. But even Porter Engle has enemies he cannot defeat.
The review;
Almost entirely hidden by the wrappings of his cloak, Porter Engle’s striking blue eyes practically gaze into the reader’s own in Camuncoli’s direct cover. It’s a very bold composition only made better by its simplicity. Panosian takes a similar approach, focusing solely on Porter who’s again swapped inside his cloak. Meanwhile Mayhew’s variant is more action-based, highlighting Porter’s Jedi robes and the elegant hilt of his blue lightsaber. Finally, both Villanelli and McCrea depict the Jedi Knight in motion, lightsaber drawn and in fantastic dramatic poses.
Introduced in Light of the Jedi by Charles Soule, Porter Engle is a Jedi Master with a lot of history in the High Republic. Celebrated as the Blade of Bardotta and renowned for making nine-egg stew, he provided wisdom and guidance to the young Padawans at the remote Jedi Outpost on Elphrona. Porter is an Ikkrukkian with a long lifespan to rival a Wookiee, and in The Blade mini-series his earlier years as a Jedi Knight are being explored. Just how did Porter become so famous amongst the Jedi? And why did he learn to cook?
Cooking is exactly where this comic begins and in the hundred and fifty years before the events in Light of the Jedi, it turns out Porter was still practicing his recipes. In fact, his stew is currently inedible, so he’s got a lot of improvements to make. This is what makes his character very grounded though. It’s hard to imagine the subsequent Jedi of the Prequels cooking. Mace Windu making breakfast? Not a chance. Porter is using the Force for something relatively basic, but which he wants to perfect. Every setback for Porter is a chance to learn and improve.
This is a personality trait he’s had for a long while, as he admits to at first being a terrible lightsaber swordsman, ranking poorly as a Padawan. Yet he didn’t let it get to him or stop him from trying. Porter practiced becoming more adept. Soule writes his character as someone who is deeply humble and with a permanent sense of calm, embodying the truest values of a Jedi. When he steps in to settle a civilian dispute on a Wild West type of world, Porter only resorts to his lightsaber at the last minute, diligently trying to talk the disputing parties down.
It’s during this encounter that Porter’s ‘sister’ is introduced. Related by choice and not by blood, Barash Silvain isn’t even the same species. Yet Porter and her are clearly very close, a relationship that will hopefully be explored more in upcoming issues. Eagle eyed fans may have also noticed the significance of Barash’s name. Soule introduced fans to the Barash Vow in his Darth Vader (2017) run, and it’s when a Jedi renounces every activity relating to the Jedi Order, and only believing in a connection to the Force. It’s not the same as the Jedi who leave the order, but rather an isolation from it. It can’t be a coincidence that Barash’s name is what it is, and it’s very likely that she will be the creator of this vow.
It seems that the Jedi of this early era of the High Republic have much more freedom, with Porter and Barash picking their missions by themselves, rather than being ordered by the Council. At an Office of the Frontier they look through a list of active petitions for Jedi assistance for a new mission, with Barash trusting the Force to guide them both. It’s a wilder and less organised time in the galaxy, and the Jedi are more like rangers patrolling it all. It’s also suggested by Marco Castiello’s incredible artwork. There’s a looser, freer style to the line-work, making everything seem just a bit rougher around the edges. There is no sleekness to this time in the galaxy, so the characters and locations are very organic. It’s really interesting how Castiello has also taken inspiration from medieval and early American history, with hints of both found throughout the comic panels.
The Blade #1 is a fascinating beginning to Porter Engle’s origin story, showing a Jedi who isn’t perfect and doesn’t try to be. He’s trying to be the best that he can while not being afraid to admit his own weaknesses. It will be exciting to see where Soule takes this character and also the importance of Barash. Next issue sees the pair trying to bring peace to the fortress city on Gansevor!
Availability;
Star Wars: The High Republic – The Blade #1 is a 5-part mini-series published by Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via The Marvel App, ComiXology and from all good comic book stores.
