Star Wars: Poe Dameron Vol. 4-Legend Found collects issues 20-25 and Annual 1 of Star Wars: Poe Dameron. The regular issues were written by Charles Soule with art by Angel Unzueta; the annual was written by Robert Thompson with art by Nicole Virella.
Synopsis
This exchange between Poe and a stormtrooper pretty much sums up the Sequel Trilogy
In the aftermath of the Clone Wars, Cato Neimoidia has become a haven for rich people who want to secure their most priceless valuables. Various Barons now operate secure facilities, vying with each other for high profile clients. It is here that Lor San Tekka has come, wishing to examine an object called the Kazerath, an artifact said to be crafted by both the Light and Dark sides of the Force. When Leia gets word that Lor has been caught breaking in to the vault and is set for execution, she assembles Black Squadron and concocts a plan to get him out. The plan is basically A) watch Ocean’s 11, and B) do what they did. Leia goes to the planet under the guise of wanting to store her mother’s (Padme) dresses. Black Squadron stages an attack, Poe gets Lor out. I’m not going to go into a lot of detail here because it is worth experiencing first hand. The plan actually goes off without a hitch, until Malarus and Terex come out of nowhere. Terex takes control of the transport with Lor on it, and Malarus jacks Poe’s X-Wing. Several pew pew pews later, Malarus is shot down but survives and Terex escapes with Lor. Terex, still fitted with cybernetic implants, has been shocking himself with a stun baton in order to be able to exert his own will. He contacts Phasma and says the FO can have Lor if they get the implants out of his head. Phasma relents and afterwards Terex gives her the location where he left Lor drifting in open space in an EVA suit; however, Terex, having no desire to continue his relationship with the First Order, also gives Poe and the Resistance the same info. A classic showdown in space follows, and the FO almost gets Lor, but then the Resistance gets him instead. Yeah, they actually do get him, and take him back to the base on D’Qar. He tells Leia he doesn’t know where Luke is, but he’s got some suspicions. She gives him a ship and tells him to contact her when he knows something. I wonder how that’s going to turn out.
Review
Leia contemplates the state of the Resistance
“Legend Found” brings to a conclusion the series main storyline begun in issue one. The series was originally scheduled to end with issue 25, but was continued based on its sales. The final storyline that follows is really an addendum to The Force Awakens and an epilogue to The Last Jedi. The search for Lor San Tekka, the conflict with Terex, they all come to an end here. It’s a fitting end. “Legend Found” starts off on a bit of a pessimistic note, with Leia bemoaning the complacency in the galaxy that has led to the threat of the First Order, Snap and Kare putting their relationship on hold, and Jess struggling to find an astromech willing to fly with her because she has gone through so many it has earned her the moniker “the great destroyer”. The story does not allow itself to become weighted down by all of this, however; and really takes off when the heist starts to go down. Soule and Unzueta plot the whole thing very cinematically, with the story alternating between the scam actually going down and flashbacks to Leia explaining the plan to the group. Leia gets some great time in the spotlight and really shines in this story. Her remarks about spending time with smugglers, schemers, and thieves; hearing their stories and seeing them operate is really nice. The references to Padme and other PT/CW era events is a great treat. Leia and the other legacy characters tie the Sequel Trilogy back to the Original Trilogy; but Lor San Tekka, even though he is a “new” character, feels like someone who ties all three trilogies together with his knowledge both of the Jedi & Sith in general and the Skywalker family in particular. It seems only fitting that this final storyline in the quest to locate him should pretty heavily callback the Prequel Era.
Lor San Tekka imprisoned on Cato Neimoidia
As has been the case throughout the series, Agent Terex comes very close to stealing the show here. He and Malarus come out of nowhere in the story; but that’s for the best, because when he does show up he pretty much becomes the prime mover. The depictions of him shocking himself in the head with a stun baton over and over again are a testament to the character’s sheer force of will. We have seen Terex as a stormtrooper, a criminal, a First Order agent, and as a slave. What is Terex by the end of this story? I’m not sure; and I’m not sure he’s meant to know that either. He says that the key to happiness it to stop worrying about the fate of the galaxy. On the one hand, we can interpret that as a statement of selfish individualism, which would seem fitting for this character. On the other hand, by the end of the story, Poe and some of the other characters seem to learn that you can’t let yourself get lost in the galaxy wide struggle at the expense of caring about the person next to you. Terex would seem to err in his belief that one should not spare any thought or effort for the fate of the galaxy, however he’s right that you shouldn’t lose yourself in the struggle; but we’re probably not supposed to be taking life lessons from Terex anyway. Terex’s interactions with Lor when they are on the ship together are very well done. Terex does not taunt or torment him; they actually bond a little over being two old men who yearn for the return of days past. In the end, Lor San Tekka gets a chance to spend some quality time with both of his pursuers, and that’s not something I would have predicted when the series began. If you liked Lor in TFA, and felt he didn’t get enough screen time, this story is for you.
Notes
Terex and Lor San Tekka
Annual 1 is not directly related to the above described storyline. It was not written by Soule and seems like it just re-treads ground already covered in the series.
The capture of Cato Neimoidia, being one of the final battles of the Clone Wars is mentioned.
Snap Wexley and Kare Kun get married at the end of this story.
As of the end of this story, Malarus and Terex are both alive. Terex is footloose and fancy free, and Malarus is presumably in the custody of Neimoidian authorities.
Comic Pack Wish List:
Leia Organa in Naboo dress, Lor San Tekka.
Score:
An action packed and satisfying conclusion to the storyline begun in the first issue. Like I said when I reviewed Vol. 1, keep your eye on Terex; he’s what makes this series go from good to great: 4 Skulls.
