Star Wars – The High Republic : The Blade is a 4-issue comic focusing on Porter Engle and his relationship with Barash Silvain.

The comic explains the attempts of both Jedi to solve an internal issue on the planet Gansevor. While the matter is ultimately resolved, Barash begins to doubt herself and her personal interpretation of the Force. Because of her species long-term memory, her experience with her real family influences her view of the world, and after the mission she decides to take a vow and recuse herself from the Jedi Order while she aligns her connection to the Force.

A major part of this issue is the appearance of General Viess, a mercenary who years later will become an integral part of the Nihil dominance, and a major thorn in the Jedi, especially Porter Engle.

But this also explains the origins of the Barash Vow, which we saw first in the 2017 Darth Vader comic series by the same author, and also earlier this year on The Acolyte.

A peculiar note is that the last issue of the series mentioned a follow up, called The Broken Blade, which has not materialized yet, and now that we enter the final phase of The High Republic, might get cancelled altogether. This series would explain Porter Engle’s nickname, The Blade of Bardotta.

In the end, this is a fantastic comic, and a must read if you are following The High Republic initiative. Recommended!

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