Poe Dameron #24 Review

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Poe Dameron and Black Squadron regroup and carry on in Poe Dameron #24.

This article contains plot details for Poe Dameron #24.

Poe Dameron #24

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

General Organa and Black Squadron’s mission to Cato Neimoidia was both a success and failure. Poe Dameron #23 ended with Black Squadron freeing Lor San Tekka, but then he fell into the hands of Agent Terex. In Poe Dameron #24, Black Squadron reunites as a team, and they get to work on locating and rescuing Lor San Tekka from the clutches of the First Order. Even though they may be the heroes of this tale, Poe Dameron #24 largely focuses on their old nemesis: Agent Terex. Locked into eternal subjugation by implants to the First Order, the wily agent freed himself from their influence long enough devise a plan of escape. Now, he proposes to trade Lor San Tekka for his freedom.

Terex – Smarter Than He Looks

Terex’s plan has always had an obvious flaw: once he shows up at the First Order’s doorstep, they just have to wait until his implant takes back over. It is a glaring enough issue that Lor San Tekka feels compelled to remark on this flaw. Even Phasma remarks that Terex is at a disadvantage. Fortunately for Terex, he already thought of this problem. Therefore, he injects himself with a poison. If the implant isn’t removed, the poison will kill him, and the First Order will never learn of the location of Lor San Tekka, whom he left in an unknown location. This isn’t the first time this type of tactic has been used in a novel, comic, or movie, but Soule pulls it off remarkably well here.

Terex’s Revenge on Everyone

Once he has his implant removed, Terex leaves the First Order, with a shiny new suit of stormtrooper armor. He lives up to his end of the bargain and transmits the location of Lor San Tekka to them. However, this isn’t the end of his plan. He contacts Poe and the Resistance and gives them Lor San Tekka’s coordinates as well. His reason: he doesn’t care about the fate of the galaxy anymore. He reclaimed his own fate and destiny.

In addition, nothing would make him happier to see all or some of his enemies perish. Terex figures that with a little luck, both the First Order and Resistance will find San Tekka at the same time and destroy each other in the process. Or, at least one will perish. Either way, it suits him just fine. He has no allies in this battle any longer.

The Fate of Terex

So, what becomes of Terex now? Before departing the First Order, he demanded a set of stormtrooper armor be delivered to his ship. As he talks to the Resistance, he is seen modifying this armor. He adds some mohawk striping (to match his own hair one can suppose) and other external gadgetry. Readers might recall that Terex formerly lead the Ranc gang, a criminal organization that engaged in piracy and other misadventures. Perhaps he will return to that lifestyle. Alternatively, he’ll put his intelligence gathering skills to good use and become a bounty hunter, although that might be difficult if the First Order has a vendetta to settle with him. Regardless, Terex might be done with the First Order, but he has plans.

The Beauty of Space

So where exactly did Terex leave Lor San Tekka? Why couldn’t the Resistance track him down? Terex had a unique solution to this problem. First, he jettisoned Leia’s dresses. Admittedly, Terex did this out of spite for Leia as he figured it would cause her some amount of pain. But, he also knew that Leia is a crafty person, and she likely left some sort of tracking device with them. With that out of the way, Terex had a more sinister plan for Lor San Tekka: Terex dumped him in space in an EVA suit. Naturally, this is a frightening and lonely fate to contemplate. However, Arif Prianto’s coloring on the final page of the issue makes space look gorgeous. Colorists probably don’t get enough credit for the art in the pages of comics. Even the reflection of the stars off of Lor San Tekka’s helmet are spectacular.

Concluding Thoughts on Poe Dameron #24

In previous issues, Black Squadron began to demonstrate the strain of fighting a war, albeit a cold war, with limited resources. Then General Organa stepped in and rallied them together on a mission. Poe Dameron #23 saw the team victorious until the end when Terex snatched a successful mission out from under them. Poe Dameron #24 saw the team begin to rally around each other again. Jess puts her calculation skills to good use. Karé and Snap begin a reconciliation of their relationship. Finally, when all appears lost, General Organa and Black Squadron lift one another and refuse to give up. It is hard to say when this series might end, but Poe Dameron has done a wonderful job illustrating the existence of the Resistance in the years leading to The Force Awakens. Now, they just have to rescue Lor San Tekka.