SWNN Review: Poe Dameron #3

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  • The First Order has caught up with Poe’s X-wing squadron!
  • Agent Terrex has them boxed into a corner!
  • Then…the egg starts to hatch.

 

 

Story by Charles Soule

Art by Phil Noto

 

Spoilers for issue #3 ahead

 

Last time we left our heroes, they were cornered by the First Order: Poe by Agent Terex and Black Squadron by overwhelming number of TIEs. That is exactly where we find them at the beginning of this issue. Black Squadron is fighting for their lives. While they cannot win, they decide to buy Poe some time.

 

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When he appeared in the previous issue, Terex left quite an impression: not only because he was flying Tarkin’s ship, but also because of the way he treated officers (Phasma) and stormtroopers of the First Order. This time, we get to see why, among other things, they don’t like him. He is a smug bastard and he likes the sound of his voice. While he pontificates to Poe, the egg of the Crèche starts to hatch.

 

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As I predicted the last time, their ‘savior’ was a bad news. Though it appears as a being of light, obviously it has no intention of leading the Crèche into a better world. What I couldn’t predict is that we will get Kaiju in Star Wars. I wasn’t the only one whose jaw dropped – the appearance of the monster allowed Poe and BB-8 to get the upper hand over Terex.

 

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On the surface, the acting leader of the Squadron, Snap Wexley, decides that the fighters will be better off fighting together and orders them to return to the open air. I liked that Soule is giving us little insights in the pilots. Last time it was L’ulo. This time we witness how good of a pilot is Jess Pava as well as a relationship between Snap and Karé Kun.

 

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I admit that I had a bad flashback to The Force Awakens novelization and parting between Leia and Han, so much so that I was convinced that Karé was going to die (because Snap can’t). Luckily, the pilot dodged the bullet. I hope the comic continues to give us more about the pilots.

 

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Back on the planet, the hatched monster wreaks havoc and is just about to eat the elder of the Crèche when another Kaiju appears! Out of nowhere. This one is black with glowing red eyes. I admit that Legends are weak spot in my Star Wars knowledge so I don’t know if these creatures appeared somewhere, though I don’t think so. The black monster defends the elder and fights the light monster. They influence one another in some way and begin growing.

 

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Agent Terex tries to use the situation and fight off Poe. He is certain that Crèche has the information First Order is looking for which is why Poe is still there and Terex doesn’t need him anymore. Combination of luck and BB-8 once again helps Poe. The monsters break through the cave to the surface and BB-8 zaps Terex which gave me so much pleasure. I was ready for that guy to shut up.

 

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The dark monster wins. It destroys the hatched Kaiju and seemingly incorporates some of its attributes into itself as demonstrated by red glowing streaks. Once the dust settles, Resistance clearly has the advantage. The Crèche has its savior. When asked if they had any idea what was in the egg, the elder says that never was the point.

 

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The Resistance fighters get the needed information. The Crèche will keep Terex and his men occupied while they get away. Then they will inform the First Order to pick Terex up. We learn that they are heading to prison. From the description of the next issue we can conclude that they are also looking for a specific person – Grakkus the Hutt. We have met him in Marvel’s Star Wars run when he captured Luke and showed that he was a collector of all things Jedi. It makes sense for Lor San Tekka to try and get information from him.

 

What to say about this issue? To say that it wasn’t what I expected will be an understatement. I like creatures of Star Wars but this one came out of left field. Literally. It appeared out of nowhere. Though Zillo Beast of The Clone Wars set precedent for giant monsters in Star Wars, we knew where it came from and what its powers were. Not to mention that these monsters turned Star Wars symbolism on its head – light monster being the bad one and dark monster being the protector. I am not going to go into the rabbit hole of speculation (What is Soule trying to tell us? Is it significant that the monster becomes combination of both?) as interesting as it would be. I hope that these creatures aren’t just a throwaway and that we will see them (and learn more about them) in the future. The fact is that faith of the Crèche was rewarded in unexpected way.

 

I’ll say that after his entrance in the previous issue (on speeder bike, in the middle of action), I expected more from Terex. I hope he doesn’t turn into monologuing, posturing villain from James Bond. It is certain that Terex will continue to pursue Poe and company, so I hope we get to see his background. I want to know what he was in the Empire and how he got hold of Tarkin’s ship.

 

While Noto’s art continues to be one of the highlights of this comic, I also liked that Soule gave the spotlight to the pilots. The comic bears Poe Dameron’s name, but it is clearly author’s intent to show us the ensemble cast. Very rarely we get to learn more about these pilots and I want to get to know them better. Also, the dynamic between Poe and BB-8 is fantastic and it serves as one of the great promises of Episode VIII – I want to see it on the big screen.

 

What you think about this issue will greatly depend on your expectations. After the exceptional last one, mine were, I’m afraid, too high. I was entertained, but I felt that the story hit the snag. Still, the first three issues of Poe Dameron have hit several marks they needed, most importantly the character of Poe and the promise of more galactic adventures. And if this issue demonstrates anything, it’s that Soule and Noto have some surprises up their sleeves.

 

Next time:

 

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• The next stop on Poe’s mission is Grakkus the Hutt…
•  But Grakkus has been in Republic Prison for years.
•  You know what that means-
•  POE DIRECTLY TO JAIL!

 

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Staff member, comic and book reviewer. Cheers for the Light Side, but would drink with Grand Admirals.

Jelena Bidin (LadyMusashi)

Staff member, comic and book reviewer. Cheers for the Light Side, but would drink with Grand Admirals.

16 thoughts on “SWNN Review: Poe Dameron #3

  • June 8, 2016 at 11:27 pm
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    meh this comic aint doing it for me, poe is already such a strong archetype already that it feels like he needs more character devellopment

      • June 12, 2016 at 1:12 pm
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        I know right?!

        It’s soooo cool! 😉

        Kiddinh

        Honestly though, I thought that lady’s all black demon eyes was the best part about that whole tribe thing going on. The monsters were random but what else was going to pop out of a giant floating egg? A little kid with force powers up to 11? Monsters fit in Star Wars but I felt like these ones were a little too Godzilla like.

    • June 12, 2016 at 1:08 pm
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      Don’t strong archetypes not need more character development since we basically already know their stories based on previous characters fitting the same archetype? I’m confused here.

  • June 9, 2016 at 12:25 am
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    Those monsters belong in a Godzilla cartoon, not in Star Wars.

    • June 9, 2016 at 1:55 pm
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      there were already a couple of clone wars episodes about a giant monster called “the zillo beast”, basically the godzilla of Star Wars.

      • June 9, 2016 at 2:22 pm
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        I remember it. I’m not saying there isn’t a place for giant like creatures in Star Wars (Also thinking back to the space slug in ESB) just the look of the creatures is so off. Much like the Rathtars in TFA, they didn’t look like they belonged in the universe at all.

    • June 12, 2016 at 1:16 pm
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      No! They belong in a museum! 😉

  • June 9, 2016 at 12:51 am
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    I like how the two guardians fuse into a single entity,

  • June 9, 2016 at 1:24 am
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    I’ve enjoyed this comic so far, it’s been a fun ride. Looking forward to more space adventures. I will say that given this is a Poe centric series, it could use a little more character focus on Poe (thinking of his bit in Before the Awakening).

  • June 9, 2016 at 3:58 am
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    Got to watch the new X-Men flick this week & must say, Mr. Isaac did a great job as Apocalypse – highly recommend, and looking forward to more Poe in Ep. VIII. (I still think he’s a pilot extraordinaire b/c he grew up on Yavin IV near that replanted Truffula Force tree from the Jedi Temple that his Mom & Luke rescued in the ‘Shattered Empire’ comics & replanted outside the Dameron homestead…)

    • June 12, 2016 at 1:07 pm
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      I need to watch that at some point, and Warcraft. How was Sophie Turner in X-Men: Apocalypse?

      • June 12, 2016 at 4:31 pm
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        As one who rolled his eyes at the thought of Sansa Stark being Jean, I have to say, she really held her own in scenes w/ Xavier, Magneto, (mystery spoiler cameo), and the fight scenes as well. They also planted some interesting Jean DNA for future X-Men films; still prefer Famke Janssen, but then again, she’s had >1 decade playing the character in films…thumbs up!

  • June 9, 2016 at 5:35 am
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    All I want from this comic (other than it being totally kickass) is for Poe to casually drop a reference to his evil ex-boyfriend. Stormpilot forever.

    • June 12, 2016 at 1:04 pm
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      If Poe is the new Han, but a new generation version of him. Does that mean we’ll see a black guy pop into his life out of nowhere much like Sana Solo did with Han in the Star Wars Marvel comic?

      Hahaa kidding.

      I don’t know why so many people want Poe to be gay, I mean it would be fine if he is confirmed to being gay in the future but to me he just seems like your typical cocky but knows he’s good American ace pilot archetype. Like the Top Gun guys.

      Where did this Poe has to be gay thing come from? His seemingly close bromance with Finn? Or was it because Oscar said if he could choose his lightsaber color, it would be a rainbow? Lol
      Also, most gay guys are more feminine and once they come out they speak with a lisp or higher pitched voice which Poe doesn’t have at all. Not saying they all do, but every gay guy I’ve met in real life has and you can tell immediately. I think it would be more appropriate to make Poe bi or straight. Just my two cents for what it’s worth. 😉

  • June 12, 2016 at 12:54 pm
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    Anybody have J.K. Simmons fancasted as agent Terex?

    No…. just me….. oh well lol

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