Comic Book Review: Marvel Comics' Star Wars: Poe Dameron #1 by Charles Soule and Phil Noto

  Hello Fellow Book Worms and Book Dragons!

  My Star Wars obsession was definitely fueled this week with the release of Star Wars the Force Awakens on video. But Disney-Lucasfilm had another awesome debut this week: Poe Dameron #1. 

  Set before the events of Episode Seven, Poe Dameron is the first new canon comic book series to emerge from the post-Return of the Jedi era. When General Leia Organa begins to form the Resistance against the First Order, she knows that finding her brother, Luke Skywalker, is the first step in creating an Alliance that will topple Supreme Leader Snoke's forces. She sends Poe Dameron on several missions that finally lead to her acquiring a holo-projection of Lor San Tekka, an old traveler who has studied the Jedi for decades. If anyone knows where Luke is, it would be Lor. She asks Poe to assemble a fighter squadron to travel to Lor's last known location, and to hopefully get his help in finding Luke. But when Poe and his new squadron arrive to find Lor San Tekka, they are intercepted by forces that wish to stop them at all costs.

From page one we are set on an adventure that is filled with multiple canon references. We are reintroduced to many new canon characters who join Poe as his new Black Squadron:

1. Snap Wexley- first introduced as a fifteen year old son of ace pilot, Norra Wexley, in Chuck Wendig's first Aftermath novel. It is also revealed that he was part of a major battle in the Galactic Civil War. Most likely this will be touched upon in one of the next Aftermath novels.
2. Kare` Kun- first introduced in the Greg Rucka novel, Before the Awakening. This one time member of the New Republic's Rapier Squadron joined the Resistance with Poe and fellow pilot, Iolo Arana. She is a trusted ally of Poe's.
3. L'ulo- A long-time friend to the Dameron family, L'ulo fought in the Battle of Endor alongside Poe's mother Shara Bey. L'ulo is of the Duros species of which Cad Bane from the Clone Wars was also.
4. Jessika Pava- first introduced in The Weapon of a Jedi novel by Jason Fry, Jess is an excellent and fearless pilot. She would go on to be a major part of the Battle of Starkiller Base as seen in the Force Awakens.

    This over-sized issue was jammed-packed with amazing art by Phil Noto (Marvel's Chewbacca series and Disney-Lucasfilm's middle grade novels, such as Before the Awakening). The narrative was handled expertly by Charles Soule (Superman/ Wonder Woman, Death of Wolverine), who never once made this story boring. Soule wrote this issue with what seemed reverence for the Star Wars legacy. This is a magical creative team that was definitely chosen wisely by Marvel Comics.

  There is also an adorable back-up story featuring BB-8 trying to get two pilots who like one another to finally connect. Entitled Sabotage, it is written by Chris Eliopoulos and drawn by Jordie Bellaire. We see little BB-8 do his best to make sure that Theo Meltsa and Peet Deratalia get together. This is an excellent story for younger Star Wars readers. And it is very charming for adults, as well. I hope this is a reoccurring back up story feature.

  I give issue one five out of five stars. It was like watching a new Star Wars movie. And the reintroducing of new canon characters gave the story a sense of history. Bravo!

 Because there is always time to read,
  Xepherus3   
 

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All written content and top logo (c) Copyright 2016 by Thomas Bahr II
Cover of book (c) Copyright 2016 by Disney-Lucasfilm and Marvel