Kyle’s Review: Poe and Terrex Find Their New Roles In Marvel’s Poe Dameron #14

marvelpoe14- cover

Marvel’s Poe Dameron #14 is a departure from the previous issues, in terms of pretty much every element the series has offered so far. Poe and the Black Squadron pause to reflect on fallen friends, with Poe himself reflecting on where his place in the galaxy falls in the uncertain time in which he lives. Terrex is also in limbo, and they will both have guidance from two very familiar characters. SPOILERS AHEAD….

 

 

marvelpoe14- leia's sad day

 

Everyone’s favorite general returns in this issue. Leia’s role in #14 is great, and if you know any hardcore Leia fans that want to get their hands on any new stories, this issue alone is great. The artwork by artist Angel Unzueta and colorist Arif Prianto especially shines when she’s on the page. #14 opens at the conclusion of L’ulo’s funeral back at Resistance HQ on D’Qar. The Black Squadron has gathered to send off the veteran pilot’s effigy casket. L’ulo has deep roots in the Rebellion, New Republic, and the Resistance; but, you’ll remember he was especially close to Poe’s parents, whom we met in Greg Rucka’s excellent Shattered Empire. It’s certainly the end of an era and a character who has seen a lot and whose knowledge and skills could have no doubt continued to benefit the Resistance for a long time. Call me crazy, but the small glimpse we got of The Last Jedi left me with the impression the Resistance is going to need all the help they can get, come this December.

 

marvelpoe14- the force is strong with this one

 

Poe concludes the eulogy recalling a memory Leia shared with him, about a certain Jedi she witnessed struck down, literally vanishing and becoming one with the Force. The eulogy by Poe also underscores how the Force is something that seems lost in the galaxy at this point. One gets the sense that the convoluted state of current galactic politics, coupled with no clear struggle of good versus evil, that it was easy for the Force to become something of a myth. We don’t yet know the whole story of what happened to Luke and the potential Jedi he would train, but I get the sense that the Force stayed far out of the big galactic picture for quite some time before The Force Awakens. Still, I wonder why Poe doesn’t remember the “Force tree” Luke gave his parents to plant on Yavin 4.

 

marvelpoe14- terrex's bad day

 

Well, there’s no other way to put it, other than Terrex is having a very bad day. I’m happy to see Captain Phasma again for so many reasons, not least of which is the ass-kicking I anticipated she would had the slimy Terrex. I don’t like Terrex at all, nor am I supposed to, but I really don’t like him. He’s one of those villains who is loyal to no one but himself and will bullshit anyone to get ahead. He fancies himself some sort of superior, intellectual when we all know he’s just a bucket-head that got lucky and survived the Battle of Jakku. As you can no doubt guess, he’s here aboard a Star Destroyer in the Unknown Regions, groveling to Phasma that he is instrumental to the success of the First Order. She does a great job of reminding him the First Order was doing just fine without him, but he reminds her that he brought the memory chip of C-3PO, which would contain the location of the Resistance Base.

 

marvelpoe14- phasma crunch

 

Except…the memory chip is worthless. Not only do we later find out that Threepio had it very well encrypted, we discover that the shock BB-8 gave Terrex a couple issues ago was also intended for the memory chip. The piece of silicon Terrex placed his hopes in is naught. Phasma suggests he will continue to serve the First Order, only in the mines, which judging by Terrex’s reaction are probably very unpleasant places. It doesn’t take a lot of imagination for that leap. Terrex grovels and begs, so Phasma tells him he can remain in his cell and she will grant him one more audience with her. It’s his only chance to convince Phasma he’s of some use to the First Order.

 

marvelpoe14- poe's grounded

 

I guess since she never got to ground young Ben she’s taking it out on Poe. I joke, but seriously though, Leia does not think Poe should get right back in his X-Wing and head out to continue his search for Lor San Tekka. Obviously, Leia recognizes much of herself in Poe, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she saw a bit of Han, too. Leia urges–much as Phasma compelled Terrex for some reflection to think about what value he has left to the First Order–Poe to see consider what his role is beyond being the best pilot in the Resistance. Poe’s never taken time to consider what there is for him in the galaxy aside from piloting his X-Wing and blowing up the bad guys.

 

marvelpoe14- terrex's pitch

 

Terrex doesn’t take much time to take Phasma up on her final audience. The man professes that the Empire failed because it allowed the galaxy a little bit of freedom to create the illusion of total freedom. He professes that the First Order will succeed in total domination of the galaxy because they will not trust citizens with freedom, because the people of the galaxy are too foolish to be trusted with freedom. We’ve seen Terrex wax poetic about the Empire, as well as his great nostalgia for it, and how his loyalty was exploited shortly after it’s end. This is the first time we’ve heard Terrex go all-in on the First Order, and Phasma does not forget about the last time she had to remind Terrex that the Empire and the First Order are as different as night and day. Terrex might get it, but you don’t get much over on Captain Phasma.

 

marvelpoe- leis's lessons in leadership

 

Poe, on the other hand, has a realization about himself and what Leia told him to reflect on. Poe realizes that one day he will have to lead the Resistance or Republic, and that Leia sees that in him. Poe realizes there is a time for heroics, but that ultimate leadership is seeing the cause for something that cannot be won by an individual, only as a whole group. A group needs a leader, and as he’s looked up to General Leia Organa, he knows that she needed to find someone like him she could trust if the day ever came she would no longer be there. Terrex’s realization is…a little different…

 

marvelpoe14- locutus of first order

 

No, the Borg did not get their hands on Terrex, but Phasma has outfitted him with some sort of restraint. No doubt there was a very unpleasant lobotomy that went along with it. Should be interesting to see where Terrex goes from here in his pursuit of For San Tekka or wherever the First Order send him next. I certainly like him better already, but I’ve got a bad feeling he’s going to be even more cruel than the smirking jerk I hated.

 

I hope Marvel is buying Charles Soule a round tonight, because this is by far my favorite issue of Poe Dameron.  You would do well to hurry on down to your comic shop and pick up a copy. As mentioned earlier, the artwork is gorgeous, and any dose of Leia and Captain Phasma is a welcome one. This just made me all the more excited for Captain Phasma’s own Marvel series due out this fall. My biggest criticism of The Force Awakens is that her screen time was far too brief. We’re going to be getting a lot more Phasma, but in the meantime, this is a great issue to tide her eager fans over, as well as please every other Star Wars fan.

 

marvelpoe14- next issue cover

 

 

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Kyle Larson lives in Portland, Oregon. When he's not running trails, he's reading and writing.

Kyle Larson

Kyle Larson lives in Portland, Oregon. When he's not running trails, he's reading and writing.

6 thoughts on “Kyle’s Review: Poe and Terrex Find Their New Roles In Marvel’s Poe Dameron #14

  • May 4, 2017 at 9:37 am
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    I surmise this issue was written or rewritten after the death of Fisher. Leia mentioning to Poe that someday she may not be around was poignant.

    • May 4, 2017 at 12:50 pm
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      I think that is the case when she said like ” someday sooner than we would like , I’ll be luminous”

  • May 4, 2017 at 5:07 pm
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    This felt like a bit of a Carrie Fisher tribute and I loved it. I was shocked that change of artists didn’t bother me either.

    • May 4, 2017 at 7:22 pm
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      I didn’t even notice the change of artists until later!

  • May 4, 2017 at 7:23 pm
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    I want to also add that the drawing and likeness of Fisher in this is great. And Leia is dressed and looks great in this, too.

  • May 4, 2017 at 7:27 pm
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    I expect you guys will review the second issue of the Rogue One adaptation, but I just want to add now: I’m also enjoying it. Since they’re inserting deleted and additional scenes into it, it feels like experiencing the movie again for the first time, with fresh eyes. The art is pretty good, too; the artist capturing the likeness of Felicity Jones well. This is certainly a far better adaptation than the one for The Force Awakens, which had not too great art and added nothing new to that movie’s story.

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