Published: January 19, 2022
Writer: Daniel José Older & Vita Ayala
Artist: Jo Geyong & Toni Bruno
Colourist: Jo Geyong & Rebecca Nalty
Letterer: Jake M. Wood
Assistant Editor: Riley Farmer
Editor: Heather Antos
Cover Artist: Jo Geyong
Synopsis;
Torban “Buckets of Blood” Buck and Kantam Sy face off in a brutal, intense, ruthless… bake-off!
Lightsabers and Jedi robes are put aside in favor of whisks and aprons as the two competitors bake Master Yoda’s special pastry recipe. But the recipe requires one extra special ingredient: a story! “Buckets of Blood” and Kantam recount the tale of an epic battle as they whisk away, both hoping to win the prize of Padawan approval.
Daniel José Older and Vita Ayala team up in this heart-warming one-shot. Plus, bake Master Yoda’s pastries yourself, with the recipe included in the back!
Introduction;
Mark: The High Republic Adventures has been my favourite comic series for the last year. Daniel José Older has created a series and characters with such depth, with such insight and (most importantly) with so much fun, that you can’t help but fall in love with everything that he has done with this story. Every issue has gone from strength to strength. This special, Older has decided to do something a little different along with writer Vita Ayala. Ayala’s work can be recently seen in the regular Star Wars Adventures series with the story Trade Relations.
Now as an avid baker, I’m very excited to see what this duo will come up with based on The Great British Bake-Off. However, in the Jedi News virtual offices, there was a bit of a problem. And that problem was my fellow reviewer Kat Rees-Jauke. Now you would think, having reviewed the ENTIRE series of The High Republic Adventures, it would be assumed I would review the special, but Kat, as a huge Great British Bake-Off fan, didn’t see the logic in this. Words were spoken, GIF’s were sent, and finally after a lot of arguing, we settled on doing the review together as if we were judges in our very own Bake-Off. So as my back stabbi… – I mean co-pilot on this review, I’d like to introduce you all to Kat…
Kat: A big thanks to my fellow reviewer Mark Alders for letting me jump on board for this review! I’m glad the aggressive negotiations didn’t get too out of hand. In true Bake-Off style we thought that having a pair of reviewers would compare perfectly to the pair of judges on the actual television show. To collaborate properly, and make sure this doesn’t end up an Eton mess, we’re doing the review in sections with our thoughts each on characters, story, art, and overall thoughts. So, without further ado, on your marks, get ready… and REVIEW!
The review;
The characters, well what can I say? There is an even amount thrown into this mix of Kantam and Buckets of Blood, which really makes for a really delicious concoction. In the series, Older often uses the comparisons of two different flavours – I mean characters, to really express the true meaning and understanding of his product. Buckets of Blood is a character that is a true example of how we should all be, he always thinks positive and keeps the positivity of the rest of the Jedi high, even at their lowest points. He helps to sweeten any story to stop it from being too bitter. Kantam is just like Buckets, they don’t let fear take them over as that really would spur the fruit! I couldn’t not mention Ram, I mean, he’s just sooo wizard, right Kat?
I loved Ram’s enthusiasm for baking with his fellow Jedi. He’s exactly like a young kid in the kitchen, excited to help and make something for everyone. While baking doesn’t seem like a very Jedi activity, Older writes it in such a way that it makes perfect sense. All the Padawans and Master’s come together to share their knowledge about what is being baked, with different tasks spread evenly amongst them, and everyone lending a hand, or hands. Except perhaps for Porter Engle. The wizened Jedi Master was introduced in The Rising Storm by Cavan Scott as an incredible fighter and cook, so it’s great to see him in comic format. What kind of eggs take two hours to crack though is anyone’s guess.
As part of the recipe they’re cooking, Yoda’s sweet story custard cakes, a tale has to be shared whilst baking. And isn’t it so awesome that Yoda actually has a special recipe that all the Jedi know and love! The story is then split between the past of Buckets of Blood and Kantam during The Great Disaster, alongside the events in the kitchen. What’s striking about this past mission is it introduces a completely new side to the Jedi. There’s a ship, the Voyager Dawn, that acts as a retreat for older Jedi who can no longer actively participate in the Order. It’s something that wouldn’t cross the minds of most fans, as ever since the Empire, Jedi haven’t been able to live that long, but during the High Republic it’s clear that elder Jedi were treated well. Older’s invention just adds to the realism of the galaxy, yet also a beautiful moral message as the younger Master’s come to the aid of the older ones, carrying their things or helping them reconnect to reality. For fans who have seen Chapter 3 of The Book of Boba Fett, then this team-up of young and old will be familiar.
That’s such a good point about the elderly Jedi, the fact the young ones still revere them, that they still believe in them says a lot. I also found it interesting that the one elderly Jedi Fambola has begun to form attachments to items, as if they don’t need to follow their teachings anymore. For me, the strongest flavour of the story was about despair. You have these two characters that know what they’re trying to do is impossible, yet they still cling to hope, even in their darkest hours of despair. It resonates so much with the time of history we find ourselves in. There is so much to despair over, in terms of the pandemic, political issues, climate change, but through it all, there is still life and a belief that anything is possible. The faith of these two characters in that explains why they can be so positive and is such a tremendous lesson for us all to follow. Stay positive and good things can and will happen. It’s why I love this pair so much.
Well, no cake is good without it being a feast for the eyes and this issue is certainly that. The artwork is by two different artists, Jo Geyong and Toni Bruno. This is Geyong’s first foray into a galaxy far, far away but my goodness does she really make this meal look appetising. Toni Bruno is no stranger to Adventures, a very different style to Geyong but that’s why it works. Rather than conflicting with each other, the two blend together brilliantly for the story. Geyong’s work is bright, airy and colourful as opposed to Bruno which feels dark, claustrophobic and leached of life. It suits each part of the style perfectly for me.
That’s a very good point about the two visually very different tones. It suits the story as Geyong’s kitchen scenes are so light-hearted and fun, bringing in typical kitchen utensils but with a Star Wars twist. Yoda’s custard tart in the finale also looks very authentic. I loved how she interpreted Porter Engle, and he looks like a fantastic mix between Odin from Thor meets Vesemir from The Witcher. Meanwhile Bruno’s darker style works for the flashback story, conveying the sense of a cruiser dead in space, along with the danger of the mission. Having some panels with simpler linework puts more emphasis on the feeling of the scene, rather than the details, and it makes for such fluid storytelling. The dark blue and black colours by Geyong and Nalty only further define this drama, really setting the scenes in what looks like pitch-black.
Of course, where there’s darkness there is always hope and that’s what The Galactic Bake-Off Spectacular is all about. Even though Buckets of Blood and Kantam must face a situation that pushes them beyond their comfort zones, they trust the Force, and more importantly each other. Even amidst disaster and terrible odds, they push through to get everyone to safety, not worrying about themselves. It’s a true moral lesson, which could have been quite dark on its own, but Older has paired it with this funny, unexpected baking storyline to balance it.
Trusting each other, working together to make anything possible and having hope is definitely the message. It works on so many levels, but not the least that Older is writing this Ayala, the two working together to create a fantastic issue surrounding a very wizard concept (too soon?). Perhaps what is even stranger, is Kat and me working together on a review all about cooperation, sunny how these things turn out! High Republic Adventures has always been deep meaningful messages, examining the nature of the Force, wrapped in fun, understanding and topical issues, heck, it’s the foundations of Star Wars. The fact this is also set at the start of The High Republic means not only will this satisfy fans, but it is also a great jumping on point for newer fans. And Kat? Did you see the actual recipes at the end?
I think even Yoda would be impressed that the recipe is included – clearly, it’s not a secret one. It’s got to be better than his Dagobah Stew…right? Older and Ayala are definitely a recipe for success together, writing this so cohesively, and I would gladly see more domestic settings like this in a Star Wars story. While watching dogfights and lightsaber battles is fun, slowing down and appreciating the smaller things is also very important for storytelling. Older always seems to be able to get that timing very well, and I agree more moments like this would be great! Well Kat I think we can say this is a clear winner for both of us? Absolutely – after much discussion and deliberation we have agreed that Star Writer can be awarded to both Older and Alaya for cooking up this winning one-shot!
Availability;
The High Republic Adventures: Galactic Bake Off Spectacular is a one-shot available from IDW Publishing. This issue retails at $5.99 and is available from all good comic bookstores in the USA and from Forbidden Planet in the UK.
