Canon Comic Review: Poe Dameron #26

– Spoiler Review –

Poe Dameron #26 provides readers with the first glimpse post-The Last Jedi, as Poe, Rey, and Finn pass the time on the Millennium Falcon by hearing Poe’s journey through the recent sequel trilogy films, all of which means “The Awakening” is off to a splendid start that’ll have fans grinning from ear to ear.

When the previews for Poe Dameron issue #26 came in, revealing Rey, Finn, and Poe finally get to spend some time together post-The Last Jedi as Poe recounts his journey so far, I was worried that quick glimpse would be all we’d get and the comic would focus on Poe’s tales. Thankfully, it was not the case, as Rey and Finn occasionally get a chance to interrupt or comment on Poe’s retelling, and damn did it really hit how little we’ve gotten to see them on screen together. Thanks to Charles Soule’s excellent writing (can this guy do any wrong?), the back and forth between the Big Three of the sequel trilogy sounds authentic, offers tons of humor, and really lets them rest and just be, for a little while at least. Rey calls Poe on his ‘best pilot in the galaxy’ shtick, Finn and Rey take delight in being considering notorious for blasting off Jakku with the Falcon, while Rey wonders if she’ll ever go back to Jakku and doesn’t seem to mind if she won’t (good job keeping that thread open, Soule!). Poe, despite all his cockiness about his flying, proves he’s changed after the events of The Last Jedi, as his narration proves hindsight is 20/20 since he sounds like someone who learned a bit more about what it means to be a leader, especially when he tells Rey and Finn about the qualities of Leia that make her such a special leader. I really hope the rest of the issues covering Poe’s retelling juggle the “present” and “past” as evenly as this one, because getting to bask in the dynamic of Rey, Finn, and Poe is a truly special and exciting thing here, easily overshadowing Poe’s fun take on past events.

Another strong point to “The Awakening” is how it’s not a direct play by play of The Force Awakens, instead rushing through the parts we know and focusing on those we didn’t get to see on screen as much. I had worried this was going to be almost like a second adaptation of the film, but instead it’s Poe’s adaptation of the film, which is inherently more interesting. Sure, the bonus scene of how Poe survives the crash landing on Jakku and finds his way back to D’Qar was already told in the novel adaptation, but that it’s sandwiched between the excellent post-TLJ set scenes and is instead Poe’s tale of the events (from an exciting writer with an always great art team), seeing the scene here is far more interesting than it being in the pages of a book. #26 also connects nicely to the Poe Dameron series as a whole, revealing the little droid which reports to the Resistance that BB-8 in is on Takodana is part of Threepio’s droid spy network, something which we’ve seen quite a bit of in earlier issues of the series, as well as how Black Squadron finding Lor San Tekka in issue #25 is why he even puts together a map leading to Luke Skywalker in the first place. The synergy is strong, and enjoyable, with this one!

Of all the people to be writing Rey, Finn, and Poe post-TLJ, Soule might just be the best writer for the job. He really captures the connections Finn and Poe have, as well as Rey and Finn, and manages to mash that together, making it, in nearly an instant, feel like they’ve been friends this whole time. The pacing of the issue, jumping back and forth between the two timeframes, is excellent and exciting, a real blast to flip through the pages. But, you’ll want to slow down so you can really enjoy the art team’s work, Angel Unzueta (art) and Arif Prianto (colors), once again bringing gorgeous panels to your eyeballs, be it the animated, lush faces, Poe’s high-flying antics, or one stunning panel of Poe awakening in the night of Jakku, a downed Star Destroyer in the distance. Joe Caramagna joins as letterer again and he, per usual, allows the art to shine while dynamically fitting all the witty dialogue in the panels. As was revealed back in March, the editing team of Jordan D. White and Heather Antos were both leaving the Star Wars comics for other positions, but they are still credited here because this was stuff they were working on before leaving, though an editor helping through the transition is mentioned as well: Christina Harrington (Assistant Editor).

Here are a few other things:

Whether you were or weren’t too hot on the series’ opening arc, which ended with mysterious eggs cracking open and giant creatures appearing, either side should appreciate the little joking reference those events.
I wonder if we’ll get to see, in a future issue, BB-8 mourn Ivee’s second death when Black One perishes aboard the Raddus, but for now someone made this funny and terribly sad video lamenting the end of Beebee and Ivee’s relationship. RIP.
As Marvel’s solicitations for July’s comics revealed, Poe Dameron‘s 29th issue will start covering the events of The Last Jedi from Black Squadron’s point-of-view, allowing us to see what the rest of the crew was up to during the film! Issue #31 is supposed to be the end of the arc, and they have yet to announce the Poe series is ending, so could it continue even further past TLJ? If so, it would certainly seem to point to a bit of a time jump between TLJ and the upcoming Ep. IX, but that’s not irrefutable evidence. We’ll find out where the Poe series goes next before the end of the year, of that I can be certain.
I’ll mention it again, like I did on the latest Darth Vader issue review, but Charles Soule just released his first novel, The Oracle Year. I picked it up and promptly finished it over the weekend, as Soule’s vibrant writing skills shine just as bright in prose. Do yourself a favor and consider getting a copy!
The Phil Noto covers have been excellent all series, but this one (and the ones coming up) looks like a freaking movie poster.

Poe Dameron #26 barrels into new territory, post-The Last Jedi, in exciting and funny ways, while providing readers with an enjoyable retelling/filling-in-of-the-blanks of the recent sequel trilogy films.

+ Rey, Finn, and Poe catching up on the Falcon
+ Poe’s slant on events
+ Dynamic and fun split between timeframes
+ Art continues to impress

Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website @MynockManor.

Canon Comic Review: Poe Dameron #26

+ Rey, Finn, and Poe catching up on the Falcon

+ Poe’s slant on events

+ Dynamic and fun split between timeframes

+ Art continues to impress

Check out the rest of our Canon Comic Reviews here!

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