Poe Dameron #17 Review

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Both the Resistance and the First Order plot their next moves in Poe Dameron #17.

This article contains plot details for Poe Dameron #17.

Poe Dameron #17

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

Resurrecting Old Story Lines

In Poe Dameron #17, the story returns to old story elements as both the First Order and the Resistance plot their next steps in their cold war. Despite Poe’s success in acquiring fuel on a previous mission, the Resistance suffers from a lack of funding. They look to a relatively new ally to resolve that problem. In addition, the Resistance has another loose end to resolve: Oddy Muva, the apparent traitor and double agent. Meanwhile, Commander Malarus of the First Order lays plans with the assistance of Agent Terex to eliminate Poe. The ground work for the “War Stories” arc begins with issue seventeen.

No Longer Mopping Floors

The Resistance has an image and money problem. General Organa figures who better to resolve such a problem than someone used to telling stories? Therefore, she turns to Suralinda Javos. A former Republic soldier, Suralinda briefly worked as an investigative reporter. In issue seven of Poe Dameron, she attempted to con the location of the Resistance base out of Poe to further her career. After seeing the First Order at work, Suralinda had a change of heart. She promised General Organa her service in any capacity. Suralinda got her wish, and she finds herself mopping floors in issue seventeen.

The Resistance’s problem is one Suralinda is well equipped to handle. She explains to Leia that the Resistance suffers from a lack of publicity. They are too secret. In addition, nobody takes the First Order seriously as a threat. Therefore, she plans on exposing the First Order in the act. Although Threepio was reluctant to reveal his role as a spymaster, he does so and provides Suralinda the location of First Order operations.

First Order Growth Hormone

While Suralinda plans her propaganda mission, Commander Malarus makes plans of her own. In her first appearance in this issue, she injects an extract from some unidentified alien creature into her eye. The natives of the moon it comes from use this extract as an anesthetic. However, when applied to a human, this extract promotes body mass, stimulates intelligence, and retards aging. It seems very much like human growth hormone. Considering her violent and abusive nature, one can’t help but wonder if an analogy to steroids is intended here.

Malarus and Terex

Once Phasma outfitted Terex with implants that made him docile and subservient, she assigned him to serve Commander Malarus. Terex seemed little more than a walking computer. In the prior issue, it appeared Malarus damaged those implants in a fit of rage when Poe Dameron and Black Squadron thwarted her plans. At least, that was what Terex’s reaction hinted. Even though she has a violent tempter, Malarus isn’t foolish. She tells Terex she isn’t sure she can trust him.

Regardless, Terex plays Malarus’s compliant servant in this issue. Malarus uses a manual interface to retrieve information from him. She declares her intention to fulfill Phasma’s orders to destroy Poe Dameron. Malaurs relies on her hunter’s instinct, something she learned as a child, and determines she needs to know what Poe wants and where he would go next. She finds the answer interesting, and sets a plan in motion for later in the book.

Malarus is developing as an adversary for Poe. In the last issue, Malarus appeared overbearing and a little too volatile. She demanded meaningless sacrifice from her subordinates. Malarus certainly failed at inspiring loyalty. This issue better develops her character. The “growth hormone” was an interesting choice in explaining her extremely muscular physique. Plus, she loathes failure. Her loss to Poe embarrassed her. That cannot stand. Her quest for revenge is paramount. If the design goal was to make her creepy, then they succeeded.

The Hunt for Oddy Muva

Jess, Kare, and Suralinda set out on Suralinda’s propaganda mission. Soule teases some of Jess’s backstory along the way. She prefers her own ship for one. With her own ship, she makes the modifications and gets under the hood. When Suralinda asks her why this is important, she has a flashback to her family and responds, “control.” Clearly a larger story remains for later.

While the ladies of Black Squadron fly with Suralinda, Poe and Snap begin the hunt for Oddy Muva. Suralinda asks who is and why he matters. Kare answers. At least to some of the members of Black Squadron, he is a traitor. In addition, they don’t understand or know his motivation.

Readers learned that Oddy betrayed Black Squadron because Agent Terex held his wife hostage in a previous issue. Somehow, Oddy avoided revealing the location of the Resistance base, but he still provided Terex with intelligence on Black Squadron’s activities. When he rescued his wife, he abandoned both the Resistance and the First Order.

Abednedo on the Run

Suralinda’s discussion with Kare and Jess gives way to a scene with Oddy. He knows it is only a matter of time before the First Order or the Resistance catches up with him. Just as his wife finishes packing, the First Order, under the command of Malarus and Agent Terex arrive. They haul Oddy away, but leave Sowa, his wife, behind with a secret message for Poe. Interesting, Malarus feels compelled to whisper the message. It is unclear who she thinks will hear. Maybe the reader?

The Propaganda Mission Begins

Suralinda, Jess, and Pava arrive at their first world. They set up camp as Suralinda expects a wait for incriminating First Order activity. However, nearby, the First Order rounds up citizens of this world while one lies dead at the feet of a First Order officer holding a smoking gun. With that, the issue concludes.

Concluding Thoughts on Poe Dameron #17

Although this issue was light on action, it was a good read. Charles Soule brought several older elements from the series back into the spotlight. Suralinda is unique and an interesting addition to an already interesting squad. Previously, L’ulo was the only non-human. Then he perished. One of the best things about Star Wars is the aliens. Suralinda fills that void, at least for now, on the team. Hopefully, she will stick around.

Soule also did a wonderful job bringing back older story elements. Oddy Muva appeared forgotten in the last story arc. Now, it just appears that Black Squadron had a more important mission at the time. Plus, Suralinda was the focus of a single issue. That issue is now important backstory for this story arc. Details matter in this series.

This issue had other strengths too. Angel Unzueta provided another great round of art for this issue. Poe, Leia, Snap and the others look like their onscreen counterparts. Newcomers, such as Suralinda, are visually appealing. Suralinda is perhaps the best part of this issue. Despite the reluctance and resistance of the pilots of Black Squadron, Suralinda presses ahead with her mission. She just keeps asking questions and does her job. The evolution of the Resistance and the pace of the cold war with the First Order seems very real in the pages of this book. Poe Dameron #17 was a great start for the “War Stories” arc.