Poe Dameron #10 Review

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Poe attempts to escape while Agent Terex’s history with the Ranc gang and the First Order unfold in Poe Dameron #10.

Warning: This article contains spoiler for Poe Dameron #10.

Poe Dameron #10

Writer: Charles Soule | Artist: Phil Noto | Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna | Cover Artist: Phil Noto | Assistant Editor: Heather Antos | Editor: Jordan D. White

The Situation on Lawless Kaddak

Poe Dameron #10 begins with the concluding action from the prior issue. Poe, Oddy, and C-3PO found themselves in a desperate situation. They arrived on Kaddak looking for a stray droid operative. After tracking the droid down to a local cantina, the proprietor revealed himself as a member of Terex’s Rang gang. Even more unfortunate, the proprietor of the cantina blasts Poe in the chest with a stun blast. However, Poe and his friends have allies. Threepio activates his droid network and quickly extracts them from danger. Then their wayward droid reveals himself.

Agent Terex’s History

Meanwhile, the narrative further develops Terex’s history with the Rancs and the First Order. Terex returns to the Carrion Spike with members of his gang. The First Order officers on board are perplexed. After all, Terex deactivated the entire ship then left the crew aboard. Now, he returns with ruffians. Before that issue is answered, the story shifts to Terex’s past.

Terex and his partners recovered a large cache of Imperial ships and weaponry from an abandoned base. Among the ships was the Carrion Spike, the former flagship of Grand Moff Tarkin. While Terex repairs the ship, his comrades discuss dispatching him. Unfortunately for them, Terex eavesdropped on their conversation. He then wasted no time in destroying them. Thereafter, he was the undisputed leader of the Ranc gang.

Death of the Empire

Terex was an Imperial idealist. At long last, Terex realized the Empire died. Perhaps, as he put it, he had been in mourning. When he realized that, he knew it was time for him to move on. Therefore, he took control of the Rancs. With the fleet he salvaged, he became Lord Terex with the Rancs as his personal army. In a few brief panels, Soule and Noto illustrated how he created a criminal empire. Men bowed to him.

The First Order Discovered

However, it wasn’t long before Terex found a new cause. Apparently, his criminal empire paid tribute to him. After one raid, some of his underlings presented him with a meager collection of armor and credits. Although it seemed pitiful at first, it became more on closer inspection. Among the items of tribute was a stormtrooper helmet. And, not just any helmet. It was a First Order stormtrooper helmet. Terex had his introduction to the First Order. Finally, his long absence from the order of the Empire could end.

The Trap is Set

After recovering their droid, Poe, Threepio, and Oddy raced to get off world. Before they made it far, Terex broadcasted to all Kaddak his desire for Poe’s capture. In response, the ruffians began their attempts to capture him. Despite his reluctance to do so, Threepio called in his droid network once more. With the assistance of the droids, Poe and his friends returned to his ship. The spy droid points out this freighter is ill suited to escaping from Kaddak. However, Poe has a surprise. His black X-wing sits in the freighter’s cargo hold. With the X-wing they should escape Kaddak easily. There are two complications. First, Oddy disappeared. He seems to have his own idea of infiltrating Terex’s ship. Second, the entire setup was a trap by Terex to flush Poe out. Terex unlocks a salvaged fleet set to chase Poe down as the issue concludes.

The Rights of Droids

This issue continues an ongoing discussion of droids. In a previous issue, Threepio explained that droids make ideal operatives. Nobody notices them. They are everywhere. Yet, Poe clearly values his droid companions. He always treated BB-8 as a friend. In the last issue, Poe remarked on Threepio’s distinguished career in service to the Rebellion and the Resistance. Despite this, Poe had no issues with forcefully removing the data the droid spy carried if it would have worked. This was unfortunate. Given attitudes expressed by many characters towards droids in recent Star Wars comics, Poe seemed progressive in this regard.

Threepio’s Droid Operatives

Threepio’s system of droid operatives has become cumbersome. Granted, Threepio explained the anonymity of droids in previous issues. That is not to be overlooked. However, his operatives were everywhere on Kaddak. If there were so many droids in Threepio’s employ on Kaddak, why did they even need to look for their missing spy? Furthermore, the sheer number of droids responding to Threepio on Kaddak made non-operatives seem like the exception and not the rule.

Terex’s Complicated Past

Terex has a peculiar hold on his position with the First Order. This issue makes clear that Captain Phasma, Hux, Snoke, and Kylo Ren regard him as a criminal. This begs the question, what exactly does Terex bring to the First Order? The lieutenant on Terex’s ship is not fond of Terex. That attitude seems to prevail among the First Order. Therefore, he must have an unseen value. Whether that is Terex’s contribution to the First Order fleet or something else remains to be seen.

Conclusion

Poe Dameron #10 has more to say about Agent Terex than Poe. In fact, the current story arc devotes more time to Terex than anything. The droid Poe and Threepio recovered allegedly has information on Supreme Leader Snoke. It seems unlikely this droid will survive a return trip to D’Qar and Resistance headquarters. Alas, this droid doesn’t even have a name beyond a model type (N1-ZX in case you were wondering). Nothing suggests this droid is more than a McGuffin designed to bring Poe and Terex into conflict once more. Although, it seems like a huge coincidence that Poe and Terex ended up on the same planet. If Terex had a sinister plot, whatever it was is not apparent.

Despite the criticisms, this story is enjoyable. Terex is an interesting figure. His backstory could contribute to the lore of the First Order significantly depending on how the final act plays out. Speaking of the final act, this story needs a significant ending. Even though Terex instructed the Rancs not to make it look easy, at some point Poe must realize this is a trap. This mission has trap written all over it.

Favorite Panel of Poe Dameron #10

Noto’s art is always a pleasure to take in. The art in this issue is no exception. Without a significant story panel to cite, I chose to focus on the art. I’m very fond of the N1-ZX unit. It appears the perfect blend of Clone Wars era construction with modern developments. I don’t expect this droid will be around much longer. Therefore, I’ll appreciate his appearance while we have it. That is this the favorite panel for Poe Dameron #10.