Charles Soule teased his upcoming Marvel comic series for Phase II of The High Republic, The Blade, during his High Republic panel at Star Wars Celebration. The Blade is a 4-part series set ~150 years prior to all Phase I High Republic comics and give us the origin story of the famed Ikkrukkian Jedi with interior art by Marco Castiello. We first are introduced to Porter Engle in the first adult novel of The High Republic, The Light of The Jedi through the eyes of rising star Padawan Bell Zettifar in his POV chapters.
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Bell is an constant awe of Porter’s reputation. Now a simple cook in his old age, Porter was a legend in the Jedi order for his combat skills. Earning him the nickname “The Blade of Bardotta.” While we don’t know the story behind that nickname at the moment, I imagine we will after reading Soule’s series this winter.
Soule described Porter as a “gunslinger Jedi” and mentioned being excited for us all to learn more about what that means. He also described this as a tragedy but one of the most epic stories that he’s ever written.
Here’s what we know about the story.
Porter Engle is an absolute unit who travels with his sister.
It’s not clear if she’s a Jedi, a force user, or simply his Ikkrukkian sister. Him being described as a “gunslinger” makes me feel like he’s going to be impulsive. Taking risks or making decisions based on his gut that are almost always right. Or Porter is able to fight his way out of those mistakes informing the reader why he’s earned his high reputation as a warrior.
Charles this says that we are also going to learn the origin of the Barash Vow, an oath taken by Jedi who then ioslate themselves away from anything other than the force to better connect with it and find their true purpose.
This was first introduced by Soule in his Star Wars Darth Vader (2017) series when Jedi Master Kirak Infil’a refrained from all Jedi activities and only to eventually be hunted down by Darth Vader. We also see Dez Rydan take the vow after being overwhelmed by the Drengir and the dark side in Into The Dark by Claudia Grey.
So we know the following…
- Porter Engle is a badass who is considered a “Gunslinger Jedi”
- He travels with his sister
- This is a tragedy
- Someone takes the Barash Vow
- Porter leaves this story a legend but effects seem to linger on him into his elder years.
Sounds to me that something bad/unfortunate is going to happen with his sister.
Regardless it’s going to be a fun to find out.
Porter Engle First Comic Appearance
Porter Engle’s first comic appearance was in The Star Wars High Republic Adventures Annual #1 from this past December. This issue is packed full of first appearances including the first appearance of Bell Zettifar, first appearance Loden Greatstorm, and the first appearance of Indeera stokes.
In regards to open covers, while Cover A is still fantastic, I prefer Cover B for speculation purposes as it has Porter Engle’s first comic cover as well as his first full appearance. Also as a variant there is an implied lower print run (although that’s not always the case.)
Variants:
This is my most anticipated comic series of the 2022 right now.
Not only am I a huge fan of Porter and the High Republic but I love myself a mini-series.
I’ll be sure to update you with more info as we get it!
For light and life!
~ Grand Admiral Frik
