Poe Dameron #9 Review

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Poe and Agent Terrex search for different things on Kaddak in Poe Dameron #9.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Poe Dameron #9.

Poe Dameron #9

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

Arrival on Kaddak

Poe Dameron and Agent Terrex established a rivalry over the course of this series. Terrex tracked Poe down time and again as Poe attempts to find Lor San Tekka. This has created two issues. First, Terrex’s success revealed the presence of a spy in Poe’s midst. Second, Poe keeps evading Terrex’s traps and assaults. Therefore, Terrex has much to answer for with the First Order. These men hate each other. Poe’s quest for Lor San Tekka recesses to assist C-3PO locate a missing droid operative. Meanwhile, Terrex reaches out to his past to gain strength. These missions bring both Poe and Terrex to Kaddak and the story continues in Poe Dameron #9.

An Evolving C-3PO

One of the notable developments in Poe Dameron has been C-3PO’s growth. Throughout the saga films, C-3PO fussed his way through one adventure to the next. However, in Poe Dameron, old Golden Rod becomes a leader and vital piece of the Resistance. After all, it is his droid network providing intelligence to the First Order.

This growth continues in Poe Dameron #9. For instance, Threepio reassures Poe that he need not be concerned about maintaining a low profile. Rather humorously, Threepio declares he is “the picture of stealth,” as if a golden droid roaming the streets is inconspicuous.

In another character moment, for both Poe and Threepio, Poe asks why C-3PO defers to others as “Master” so often. This confuses Threepio. Then Poe reminds him that C-3PO played a large part in bringing down the Empire. Therefore, Threepio deserves the honorific if anyone does. Threepio deflects the praise, and reminds Poe that his job is to protect him while Threepio finds the missing operative. In the past, such covert actions would have fried Threepio’s circuits. This scene reinforces Poe’s humbleness within the Resistance and open mindedness about all species and droids.

Gangsterland

Kaddak is a mean place, or as Poe says, “It’s a bad place.” The early panels feature an unfortunate individual plummeting to his doom. Nobody notices. Indeed, the Sliver, the dominate structure planet-side, is crawling with gangsters. Essentially, Kaddak is a less metropolitan Nar Shadda. It also happens to be the meeting place for the Guavian Death Gang and Kanjiklub. While discussing the present mission with Poe, Threepio refers to Han Solo. He notes that having Han around would make this mission easier.

If Threepio had stopped there, events in The Force Awakens might have come out different. However, Threepio describes Han’s estrangement from General Leia Organa and then notes that Han borrowed a significant sum from the Guavian Death Gang. Unfortunately, Kanjiklub overheard that. The two gangs have a brief confrontation and resolve it by apparently agreeing to track down Han Solo together. It is unclear exactly how close to the events of The Force Awakens this issue takes place, but it could mean this story occurs only days or weeks from the movie.

Terrex in Charge

The larger story in Poe Dameron #9 actually concerns Terrex. In fact, this story arc provides a deeper story for the villain than the hero so far. Terrex returns to Kaddak to resume control of the Rancs. After the Battle of Jakku, Terrex and Corliac (also known as TK-605) arrived on Kaddak with the goal of bringing back the Empire. Corliac’s plan was to establish an organization to recover abandoned Imperial ships from Rothana.

Prior to Jakku, Rothana was Terrex’s post. Rothana housed a large fleet of ships awaiting repairs. After the Battle of Jakku, it was abandoned. Corliac planned to use Terrex’s knowledge to recover the base, and recruited two ladies, Wenda and Bett, to assist. Wenda and Bett profited by acquiring whatever ships Terrex and Corliac couldn’t use. The Rancs were born to carry out this operation.

This issue does not detail what happened after Terrex, Corliac, and their gang salvaged the ships from Rothana. However, it appears the Carrion Spire, formerly Moff Tarkin’s ship and now the property of Terrex, was present at Rothana. In addition, at some point Terrex left the Rancs and Wispher, an underling of Wenda’s, took over.

This doesn’t last after Terrex returns to Kaddak. Given a choice, the members of the Rancs prefer Terrex. When presented with the choice, one of the Rancs guns down Wisper, and Terrex resumes control of the gang. Terrex’s motivation remains unclear.

The Lost Operative

After inadvertently tipping off the Guavian Death Gang and Kanjiklub about Han Solo, Threepio meets with another of his droids operative. From this operative, Threepio and BB-8 learn than their missing droid is in the clutches of the Rancs. With this knowledge, they arrive at a cantina where Threepio inquires after a droid the proprietor has for sale. The proprietor asks Poe if he is Poe Dameron, and when Poe responds in the affirmative, pulls a blaster and stuns him. With this, the issue concludes.

Conclusion

Poe, Oddy, Threepio, and BB-8 either unwittingly walked into a trap, or the proprietor, a member of Terrex’s Rancs, was extremely lucky. It is unclear which is the case. Regardless, although they appeared to be on divergent missions, Poe and Terrex appear destined to clash again on Kaddak. Threepio claims his missing droid operative holds information that will cripple the First Order. That seems unlikely. There are a few foreseeable ways this could play out. First, it could be part of a trap and there is no vital information. Second, the droid could meet a foul demise at Terrex or the Ranc’s hands. Third, the droid might have information on Luke Skywalker or Lor San Tekka. It seems likely that the droids information will alter events in the Star Wars galaxy much.

Overall, this was a fine issue. It seems to establish necessary backstory more than it does drive the current story. The Guavian Death Gang and Kanjiklub interaction was amusing. In addition, Soule and Noto conveyed exactly what that meeting accomplished with nearly no dialogue. Those panels were superbly written and illustrated. Ultimately, this importance of this issue appears to be the establishment of Terrex’s control on his old gang. Terrex has a reputation on Kaddak, and many of the locals paid him great respect or avoided him completely.  How he uses his influence remains to be seen.

Favorite Panel of Poe Dameron #9

The majority of Poe Dameron #9 contained panels featuring characters talking. Although important developments occurred, this issue seemed more like a set up for the third and fourth issues in this story arc. Therefore, there were not many action scenes. There were plenty of conversations, but the action was light. That by no means makes this issue boring or unworthy. My favorite sequence from this issue was the meeting between the Guavian Death Gang and Kanjiklub.

As for my favorite panel, I focused on Terrex. As previously mentioned, he is a big deal on Kaddak. Foolish children attempted to pick his pockets. Their wiser parents knew Terrex was nobody to trifle with. Soule and Noto established Terrex’s reputation with a single panel. Terrex stands in the street, hands on hips, and those around gawk at him. He has a presence. It comes right through the book. That is the favorite panel for Poe Dameron #9.