The Resistance has barely escaped total destruction at the hands of the evil First Order following the Battle of Crait. The remnants of Leia Organa’s band of rebels, including famed pilot Poe Dameron, now flee through hyperspace aboard the Millennium Falcon.
Poe has finally received word from the missing team members of Black Squadron who have been tasked by Leia herself with recruiting new allies for their cause.
But Black Squadron’s transmission is incomplete and Poe fears the worst after learning of their mission failure on Pastoria. Black Squadron, Poe’s closest friends, could be in serious trouble….
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Angel Unzueta
Colorist: Arif Prianto
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Artist: Phil Noto
Editors: Tom Groneman; Mark Paniccia; EIC: C.B. Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Retail Price: $3.99
Release Date: August 22, 2018
As we await the series conclusion of the series, the penultimate issue starts us off with a bit hope but leaves us with….well, less so. Charles Soule has taken us on quite a trip since the series started back in 2016. The breadth of the series covering the pre-The Force Awakens search for Lor San Tekka and wrapping it up with events following The Last Jedi appears to open the door to a whole new realm of adventures as we await Episode IX.
In my opinion, one of the greatest achievements of Charles Soule’s Poe Dameron is how close he wrote the character as depicted on screen. Despite having little background to the character, we realize Poe has a lot to offer to the Star Wars Universe. Mr. Soule has added a lot of substance to the character which furthers endearment. As I read an issue, I hear Oscar Isaac in the dialogue and sense the quirky, yet passionate, personality of the character. A subtle example in this issue is Poe’s interaction with C-3P0 as he anticipates the recording he is currently viewing while awaiting the decryption of the next message. The interplay is so spot on that it feels like it’s cut from a film.
The artistry of Angel Unzueta and coloring of Arif Prianto furthers that illusion of watching the action jump out of the of the pages. Everything is captured in raw detail from scenes of aerial combat to the emotions that are charging through the pilots. It is an exquisite package that furthers seamless storytelling topped off with a Phil Noto cover that portrays a story in itself.
It is with bittersweet reluctance to see the series go but it may speak for itself that the story closes with an “Awakening”.. Whereas, one tale ends and another begins.