SWNN Review: Marvel’s Poe Dameron #1
After a year of Star Wars comics that were primarily set in the timeline of the original trilogy, Poe Dameron brings a welcome change to Marvel’s Star Wars lineup, being the first series so far set in the timeline of the sequel trilogy. Charles Soule’s Poe Dameron takes its place alongside Jason Aaron’s Star Wars and Kieron Gillen’s Darth Vader as the third ongoing Star Wars series from Marvel. Read on for the full review of the first issue. Spoilers ahead…
The premiere issue of this brand new series finds its titular character, Resistance pilot Poe Dameron, on his first mission with the newly formed Black Squadron alongside his trusty droid BB-8. The series (at least the first arc) seems to be a direct prelude to The Force Awakens as Poe and his team set off to find the explorer Lor San Tekka (Max Von Sydow’s character in TFA), who may have information on the whereabouts of the General’s missing brother, the famed Jedi Luke Skywalker.
Along with Leia Organa and BB-8, a few minor characters from the film also make an appearance, like the human X-wing pilots Snap Wexley and Jess Pava, as well as Duro A-wing pilot L’ulo – a Galactic Civil War veteran who fought alongside Poe’s mother at Endor (Shattered Empire) – as members of Poe’s Black Squadron. Karé Kun, a female human pilot who first appeared in the Before the Awakening junior novel, also joins Poe’s team, along with newcomer Oddy Muva, an Abednedo technician.
The squadron’s first mission takes them to an unnamed location in search for the whereabouts of Lor San Tekka. Upon his arrival, Poe happens upon a group of religious acolytes known as the Crèche, who have been charged with protecting a mysterious egg that they believe holds the “Savior Unborn” who will eventually emerge from the egg to bring salvation to the Crèche or their descendants. In return, they are content to bathe in its radiance as its presence guides their daily lives.
Apparently, Lor San Tekka had spent quite a bit of time with the Crèche in the past, but although they have information about the man, they are very wary of Poe and are unwilling to trust him with their secrets. Unable to make any progress whatsoever with the Crèche, in a twist of fate, Poe finds a tracker on his ship that could only have been put there by the First Order, the sworn enemies of the Republic and its unsanctioned band of Resistance fighters.
Poe tries to convince the Crèche that he is not the bad guy, and he regretfully informs them that the real villains, the type that would boil their sacred egg and eat it for breakfast, are on their way to their location. He then resigns to attempt to earn the trust of the Crèche by defending them from the impending First Order assault. Regretfully, Poe’s team informs him over the comm that the First Order is not on their way – they’re already there.
I have really enjoyed Soule’s contributions to Marvel’s Star Wars comics so far with the Lando and Obi-Wan & Anakin mini-series, and Phil Noto’s art on Chewbacca may have been one of its very few redeeming qualities. That being said, the pair seem to make a pretty good team and I am very much looking forward to seeing where this series goes in the issues ahead.
Although not groundbreaking by any means, this introduction to Poe Dameron was nicely done and bodes well for the rest of the series. Noto has his own unique art style with his bold lines and vibrant colors, while remaining true to the classic Star Wars feel and faithfully representing the characters from the film. Likewise, Soule succeeds in writing Poe’s character, bringing the character’s strongest attributes to the forefront, namely, his bold arrogance and his undying loyalty to the mission and his love for his friends. Poe’s dialogue is especially well-written and fits in perfectly with his portrayal in the film by Oscar Isaac.
As an introduction to a brand new series that has yet to firmly establish its footing in the Star Wars universe, it’s hard to find anything overtly negative about its first issue. My opinion on the series will be further formed as it progresses in the issues to come, but so far, I like what I am seeing. The series does run the risk of being limited in its storytelling as it takes place so close to the sequel trilogy, but whether or not this will be a problem moving forward remains to be seen.
Even though this first storyline seems to lead right into the events of The Force Awakens, who says that the next chapter will not take us back in time to explore Poe’s childhood much like Weisman did with the Kanan series? There are so many different directions this story could take moving forward, and the next couple of issues should help solidify its significance. It’s definitely worth checking out though, especially if you are a fan of Poe or, like me, are experiencing some fatigue with the OT timeline.
There is also a bonus mini-comic included in the issue where BB-8 plays matchmaker for a couple of Resistance soldiers at the base on D’Qar. This lighthearted comic was actually a fun read, and although I don’t think I’d invest in a series like this, it works great as a bonus feature in the back pages of an ongoing series like Poe Dameron. We need more stuff like this.
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Jordan Pate is Co-Lead Editor and Senior Writer for Star Wars News Net, of which he is also a member of the book and comic review team. He loves all things Star Wars, but when he's not spending time in the galaxy far far away, he might be found in our own galaxy hanging out in Gotham City or at 1407 Graymalkin Lane, Salem Center, NY.
is that FO thing a base or a vehicle? Becuase I was looking forward for something of that size.
Looks like a Star Wars version of a S.H.I.E.L.D Helicarrier…
That’s basically what it reminded me of. This is the only panel in the issue where you see it.
Hardly surprising considering who owns the franchise.
No way! It’s the C.O.B.R.A. mobile tactical battle platform!!!! http://www.yojoe.com/vehicles/85/battleplatform/
“COOOOOO-BBBRRRRAAAAAAA!!!!”
And a bonus – maybe the funniest thing ever written by anyone. Anywhere. Period: http://www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/journal-of-a-new-cobra-recruit
shield helicarrier was bigger, but, yes, not that great.
I do believe this is the first time a SW comic has ever come out before the film adaptation has.
What do you mean?
Every other film the film adaptation was out before the EU material was. Backwards here.
They really made Leia look BAD. Granted, Carrie’s had a hard life & all, and her face now has that botoxy, stretched quality, but this artist probably will see a flaming present in a paper bag from her dog Gary on their front porch some time REALLY soon, I’ll wager…
Was that an OitNB reference?
Nope! Never seen it (but the wife watches). Which bit?
There’s an episode that contains a running gag about a flaming bag of shit (AKA my 8th grade teacher).
That last part was a joke.
Interesting reveal that Snap Wexley fought at the battle of Jakku – I don’t think that’s been mentioned before has it?
No, I don’t believe so.
I assume this will happen in the 3rd Aftermath novel, which is probably also where Temmin will get the nickname Snap.
Just don’t see this series having legs. Rogue squadron already treated this ground and featured much more interesting characters. Poe isn’t quite there yet and certainly not the supporting cast. I mean snap Wexley is basically the new porkins. The art looks decent but soule’s lando started good then good very week toward the end… About the time the bounty hunter revel ears herself to be yet another one of landos ex-flings. Haven’t read obi wan and Anakin yet but it doesn’t look that excited to me either.
I think this Poe series might be another short term thing and not the long term think people expect… Unless Poe gets more interested and they tie this to episode 8.
As far as the plot of searching for lor San tikka… I always thought him being in jakku same as try was too much of a quincidence… Just assumed that was part of the reason she got out there is because he was there and knew he family. But what would be interesting is of lor San tikka being part of a force cult felt a calling to go to jakku and the reason was because Rey was there. Now that would be awesome and hopefully this series address this. Otherwise too much of a coincidence if lor San just happens to go to jakku where Rey just happens to have been dropped off.