In Phase I of Star Wars: The High Republic, Porter Engle was introduced as a venerated Jedi Master and master cook in Charles Soule’s Star Wars: The High Republic: Light of the Jedi. However, even from Porter’s first introduction, Soule hinted that Porter had a tragic past that sharply contrasted with the jolly Jedi Master he had become. As the second phase delves further into the past, a younger Porter’s adventures and heartbreaks provide more important connections between both phases of the subseries. Through Charles Soule’s writing, Marco Castiello’s artwork, Jim Charalampidis’ coloring, and Travis Lanham’s lettering, Star Wars High Republic: The Blade #1 begins to explore the Jedi’s past by focusing on character building and relationships to make the reader more invested in Porter’s journey.
In Star Wars High Republic: The Blade #1, Jedi Knights Porter Engle and Barash Silvain attempt to settle a dispute on Gansevor between a fortress city and an unnamed rival faction. They manage to secure transport to the planet with a Pathfinder team, a small group charged with exploring the outer reaches of the galaxy. Despite the lack of information provided and Porter’s reservations, Barash is confident they will be able to settle the dispute as they arrive at Gansevor.
Charles Soule takes his time to establish Porter and Barash’s bond throughout Star Wars High Republic: The Blade #1. In a flashback sequence, Soule shows how Porter befriended Barash despite her reticence when they were Younglings. Porter’s gregarious nature remains constant into his adulthood. Soule also emphasizes Porter’s confidence and resourcefulness. Whether he’s using the Force to aid in his cooking endeavors or fighting lightsaber battles telekinetically rather than physically, the Jedi is clearly a force to be reckoned with. Despite the duo’s comradery and strong skills, Soule still leaves some clues that this mission to Gansevor might not be as simple as Barash believes it will be. Star Wars High Republic: The Blade #1 gives the audience time to grow attached to the protagonists and sets the stage for a high-stakes adventure where tragedy could be lurking around every corner.
Marco Castiello’s linework throughout Star Wars High Republic: The Blade #1 elegantly shifts from the quiet character moments to more action-oriented sequences. From Porter’s kitchen escapades to his use of Sabacc cards as shields for blaster bolts, Castiello’s artwork captures Porter’s cool confidence. The artwork also conveys Porter and Barash’s close, sibling-like bond. Travis Lanham’s lettering also provides subtle characterization, using bolding for emphasis to help distinguish between different characters’ speech patterns and to show what each character thinks is most important.
Jim Charalampidis expertly uses different color palettes throughout Star Wars High Republic: The Blade #1 to distinguish between locations, with warmer tones for outdoor planetary landscapes and cooler tones for ships and offices. Castiello’s artwork and Charalampidis’s coloring also work together to hint that there is more going on beneath Porter’s genial surface. Porter is portrayed as a silhouette three times in the issue. While this artistic choice works to draw the reader’s eye toward other characters or text in the panel, the silhouette also places Porter in literal darkness. Thus, Castiello and Charalampidis use the art to foreshadow the possibility of darkness in Porter’s future.
There are some impressive action scenes, but Star Wars High Republic: The Blade #1 focuses on establishing Porter, Barash, and their bond to strengthen the audience’s investment in the characters. The issue also hints at some possible dangers the duo might face on Gansevor. Overall, the issue provides a strong start for the miniseries and firmly establishes Porter’s personality.
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