SPOILER SWNN Review: Poe Dameron #3

• 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.







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.







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.









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.







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.







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.







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.







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.







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:







• 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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Amazing review @LadyMusashi ! I just read this issue and had several questions about it! What was that inside the egg? How come the other dark one appeared?

My first thought was to have the Créche telling Poe about Jakku, but then I saw the preview for the next issue and of course I recalled about Grakkus the Hutt!! He was interested in the Jedi lore so it makes sense that Lor San Tekka went looking for him.

What you mention about the light colored monster being bad and the dark one being good was interesting. Agree with you, could it be like a hint of something to happen? Don't know but it would be interesting.

I liked the interaction between the other pilots. Snap acting as the leader when Poe is trapped with the First Order is really nice, especially since I have read Aftermath and can imagine the same young Temmin roaming around Akiva with Mr. Bones now piloting with the Black Squadron.

 

totally baffled by what happened with the egg monster, so thanks for the interpretation ~ that helps.
regardless, i love this series just for existing. Poe is so awesome and Soule writes him perfectly.

and nobody kicks BB-8 and gets away with it!

 

That issue was awful. A giant Mothman? Really? And where did it come from? Were there stormtroopers frying another egg off panel the whole time?
Yuck.

 

Here is some translations of BB-8 for this issue.



BB-8: “Wrrrrrrp beep beep? Woorp!” was “Can you believe it? The light one is evil, and the dark one is good!” BB-8: “B bleep brrro beep!” was “Get off him! I hate your mustache!” BB-8: “Wheeoooo!” was “Yeeowch!”


And an interview with more translations from the little guy.

http://www.starwars.com/news/what-bb-8s-really-saying-in-the-poe-dameron-comic

--- Double Post Merged, Jun 9, 2016, Original Post Date: Jun 9, 2016 ---

According to Heather Antos, the A.E., we will know a lot more about the pilots in upcoming issues. We know a little already about L'ulo when we saw him in Shattered Empire fighting with Poe's mama and probably will have a little backstory about the rest. And of course, with Snap in Aftermath.

 

My reaction when the creatures appeared

 

Yeah, I do not know either where the second creature came from. I am also not sure why Lor San Tekka had been there. I thought that following Lor San Tekka's footsteps would show us more about the Jedi and the Force (or the Church of the Force) but, unless the Creche was connected to the Church, I did not become any wiser. Maybe the significance will become clearer later in the story.

 

I think the two creatures were twins. That's the only possible explanation that I can imagine.

 

@Lady Musashi, great review.I am enjoying the growing and developing banter that the squadron has, and Terex feels like some sort of 50's esque villain, which I find cool. The twin beasts was crazy, not going to lie. I also hope that we get to hear a little bit more about Luke from Grakkus. Maybe he kept tabs on him?

 

The Kaiju attacking the Crèche, I could not help but be reminded of Prometheus; When the Engineer attacked Weyland and his team. It re-enforces that the 'savior' was the bad news... the parallels between the light and dark... The Engineer had no intention of leading Weyland and his team to a better world, however, all he caused was death. Once again great review, LM and thought provoking...

 

I wondered if the monsters light and dark were symbolic.

 

Bringing up this old thread because I can't stop thinking about this issue while reading something in Master and Apprentice.