Jordan’s Review: Marvel’s Poe Dameron #7

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A brand new arc begins this week in the ongoing Poe Dameron series with issue #7 by writer Charles Soule. This new story adds Spanish artist Angel Unzueta, who brings something fresh of his own to an already excellently illustrated book. In the wake of his encounter with Agent Terex and the First Order, Poe makes a social call to the planet Pheryon to meet an old friend, but not all is as it seems. Spoilers ahead…

 

 

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The story begins with Poe staring through a large glass panel out into the stormy landscape of Pheryon.  Floating islands can be seen in the distance as Poe awaits the arrival of his friend.  As Poe continues to stare out into the skies, his old friend and navy comrade, Suralinda Javos surprises him from behind.

 

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The two exchange small talk and sit down to catch up over drinks while preparing to enjoy the stormsail race that is about to begin outside. Suralinda is a blue-skinned Squamatan, a reptilian humanoid with pointy ears, a forked tongue, facial scales, and a Klingon-esque ridge on the top of her head that works as a natural part for her long hair. Sura left the Republic Navy in order to pursue a career in investigative journalism, a job that has garnered her a reputation, as well as a few enemies.

 

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Sura uncovers secrets for a living, and she exposes them to the galaxy for profit.  Naturally, this puts quite a target on her back, and this time, she finds herself facing the wrath of the First Order. Sura claims to have uncovered a huge secret that the First Order is hiding.  Apparently they are building something big (which I assume to be Starkiller Base).  Sura wants Poe to take her to Senator Organa so she can sell the information to her.

 

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During their meeting, some bounty hunters show up and open fire at Poe and Sura, forcing them to leave in a hurry.  Poe “borrows” a stormsailer and outruns their predators. Unfortunately, the First Order Security Bureau shows up and captures the pair, killing everyone around them to cover their tracks.  The First Order is desparate to remain under the radar at this point and they’ll do anything to keep their big secret from getting out.

 

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Unknown to Lieutenant Weel of the FOSB, the Squamatan species has a unique defensive capability. They can spit an acidic venom from their mouth to incapacitate their enemy, which is exactly what Sura does to Weel before rescuing Poe and escaping with him in a First Order transport.

 

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Poe then takes Sura to the hidden Resistance base on D’Qar to meet with “General” Leia.  In a twist of expectation, it is revealed that Sura actually hired the bounty hunters and paid off the Pheryon security forces in order to manipulate Poe into revealing to her the location of the Resistance base so she could deliver the information to her editor.

 

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However, after her run in with the First Order, and realizing how much of a threat they are to the galaxy – resembling the Empire that once enslaved her people – she decides to quit her job instead and join the Resistance.

 

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After a great first couple of issues in this series that ultimately led to a moderately good finish to the first arc, this issue gives the ongoing book the jumpstart it needed, moving the story in a new direction. This entry proved to me that Poe Dameron could still have a lot of a lot of really cool stories down the line, for however long the run may last.  Soule continues to capture the essence of the Poe Dameron that we saw in The Force Awakens and to flesh out the cold war between the complacent Republic and the rising First Order.

 

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While this issue didn’t do much in the way of continuing the larger story (we still don’t know if there is a traitor on Poe’s squad or anything else about Lor San Tekka’s whereabouts), it did introduce us to a promising new character in Suralinda Javos.  It will be interesting to see what part she may play down the line.  Does she really know anything about what the First Order may be doing in secret? Time will tell.

 

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If you like this series, definitely check this issue out. If you didn’t like where the story went in the last couple of issues and are questioning whether or not to hang on – give this one a read – you may like where it’s heading.  I for one am hoping that this series does for the Resistance what Star Wars: Rebels  has done for the rebellion. After a rocky finish to the first chapter, chapter 2 looks like it’s off to a good start.  We’ll see where it goes next month when Poe and company come face to face with Terex once again.

 

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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.

Jordan Pate (Hard Case)

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.

6 thoughts on “Jordan’s Review: Marvel’s Poe Dameron #7

  • October 27, 2016 at 10:45 am
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    This comic started out great but had such a weak ending. Suralinda looked to be an intriguing villain, and then for no apparent reason suddenly had a change of heart. Like, the whole character buildup and background built her up to be a cynical, ruthless villain. She went from an acid spitting demon to a half hearted altruist in a matter of moments. It really feels like the ending wasn’t what was originally intended, they just slapped it on last minute. Really wasted opportunity, IMO.

    • October 27, 2016 at 11:21 am
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      I disagree. I, just like Poe, trusted her from the beginning and really hoped she won’t become a traitor, so I was glad she didn’t. The only problem is that this issue is such a simple and standard story, but I like simple and beautiful things so I enjoyed it)

  • October 27, 2016 at 12:17 pm
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    The biggest issue of the Poe comic to me is the stretching of the story just to get more issues. Only 7 issues in and only about 3-4 have had legit story all the way through. With this issue in my opinion, it was more of the same. The action was cool, Poe was great, but this Suralinda character didn’t work for me at all. The issue gives the impression we are going to find out how the Resistance found out about Starkiller Base, but nothing like that ever happened. Ultimately the ending was anticlimactic since we had no attachment to that character. I wasn’t super high on this comic before and this one didn’t help at all.

    • October 27, 2016 at 3:19 pm
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      Who says she doesn’t actually know more and isn’t just playing her cards wisely? This is the first in a new arc, not a one-off.

      Everyone, like in every situation these days, is too quick to judge before being presented with all the information. I get the critiques, but is it fair to judge these stories before they’ve even finished? Be it comic, movie, book series, or TV series, many people want to whine as soon as stuff starts. Give it a rest. Let the stories play out, then beat them up if you feel the need to. But making a judgment call on something that hasn’t even finished yet is just plain stupid.

      • October 27, 2016 at 4:08 pm
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        I’m sure they are not done with the character, but this particular issue is a one-off according to everything I’ve read. It doesn’t even have a part 1 with it’s title, just “The Gathering Storm.” Next issue dives back into the Agent Terex storyline and Poe trying to figure out if there is a mole. There is no reason to believe Suralinda will be involved. If she becomes a staple of the series going forward, I’ll eat my words.

        My big issue with the ending wasn’t the fact it was a judgment call on a story that isn’t finished. I know how series work. My issue is that the issue made it a huge deal that she was turning to the Resistance. The reveal that she was just using Poe was interesting, but until I see more of the character and see what they do with her, I simply don’t care. The point is, first impressions are important and this wasn’t a good one to me.

        I was supposed to feel something, that’s what cliffhangers or any ending like this are supposed to provide, and I felt nothing besides disappointment. That’s my issue.

        I agree we judge too quick these days before we know where they are going, but saying we can’t judge an incomplete story is just as closed-minded as anything in my mind. Individual parts make up a whole and if an individual part doesn’t work, I’m calling it out. The prequels aren’t a whole. We judge Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones for being bad. But Revenge of the Sith is arguably great. Does that make the other two good and make up for the bad? No.

  • October 27, 2016 at 5:00 pm
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    Not reading this book anymore, but would like to know something…

    (Put on your ‘Shattered Empire’ hats…I’ll wait)

    What was the point of showing the 2nd ‘Force Tree’ Poe’s Ma & Luke stole back from the Emperor? (which was planted on the grounds of the Dameron homestead on Yavin IV) Are they saying Poe’s piloting skills can (in part, at least) be attributed to him growing up, getting a contact-high w/ The Force through this tree, originall located in the Jedi Temple?

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