Published: January 25, 2023
Rating: T
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Marco Castiello
Colourist: Jim Charalampidis
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Cover Artist: Giuseppe Camuncoli & Frank Martin
The synopsis;
UNMATCHED!
• Jedi Master PORTER ENGLE has journeyed with his sister, Barash, to a planet far on the Republic frontier in response to a desperate request for aid.
• They are certain they will succeed. No one in the galaxy fights like Jedi Porter Engle. No warrior can stand against him. No one even comes close.
• They are certain…until they see what awaits them.
The review;
Poised in battle, yet with a serene expression on his face, the Force is flowing through Porter Engle on Camuncoli and Martin’s direct cover. It captures the Jedi Master in a beautiful moment of stillness while blaster bolts spark all around. Lopez’s variant takes a similar approach, though instead Porter is completely relaxed, looking like a Renaissance portrait with the intricate guard on his lightsaber. Finally, Suayan’s variant captures both siblings in a bold composition that’s only made more dramatic by the very moody colour palette.
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?
After looking through the petitions for aid at the Office of the Frontier, Barash Silvain leads her brother, Porter Engle, to the war-torn world of Gansevor. Ruled by different factions it is facing civil war that is leaving the people of Firevale besieged without access to supplies or communications. As the Jedi step in to try and peacefully resolve the situation, allegiances become cloudy as differing stories don’t add up. And before either can untangle this web, an army of mercenaries arrives.
Although Porter Engle is basically a retired Jedi in Light of the Jedi, he immediately steps back into action when the Nihil pose a threat, teaming up with the much younger Knights on Elphrona. He sees the strength when Jedi work together, even letting Ember the charhound support the group. That’s what Soule is exploring here in The Blade #2 as Porter works with his sister Barash to try and find a peaceful solution to the civil unrest on Gansevor. Though he’s confident in his own abilities, he’d much rather have his sister by his side.
The two complement one another. Porter is more reckless and headstrong, diving into a situation with a witty comeback. Meanwhile Barash is calmer, sensitive to the thoughts and feelings of the others surrounding her. They are like the ying to each other’s yang, truly striking a balance in the Force. Now usually this balance is seen in a Master and their Padawan, and that relationship typically has teething issues. Yet this is two adult Jedi Masters working in perfect harmony together, which is not something fans have seen much of in the modern Star Wars canon.
However, it’s this attachment that Soule is also hinting could be the pair’s downfall. Porter is clearly deeply protective of Barash, with his sister admonishing some of his aggressive outbursts about her safety. In Jedi lore, the Barash Vow (which Soule introduced in his Darth Vader (2017) run) is taken when a Force user feels they’ve strayed into the dark side. It could be though that Barash will distance herself from the Jedi in order to protect Porter rather than herself. With Soule’s love of red herrings though, it’s anyone’s guess!
So much of the civil unrest on Gansevor is misleading as well. Envoy Seleen, who originally sent the petition, seems extremely cagey with her information. Then there’s the people of Firevale themselves, who claim to have done nothing wrong, while their neighbouring territory is blaming them of kidnap. It’s a mess that’s woven into an amazing plot because it’s impossible to tell who’s being truthful and whether it all just depends on a certain point of view. Helping to distinguish these different factions is Castiello and Morales’ beautiful artwork. Each territory has a distinctive visual style which makes the comic easier to read. This older time in the galaxy is also enhanced by the rougher lines and simpler designs for the locations and characters, really helping to make this a believably lawless frontier.
The Blade #2 is setting the scene for the trials that Porter Engle has to face in order to become the renowned Jedi Master he is later in the High Republic. Soule is creating a very humble Jedi who is so nuanced and complex underneath his bantering and joking. Next issue sees Porter and Barash having to defend Gansevor with no idea who’s side they should be on!
Availability;
Star Wars: The High Republic – The Blade 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.
