Poe Dameron was billed as of the “New Big Three” introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. But, though he became a fan favorite, little was revealed about Poe in the film. He’s established as the greatest pilot in General Leia’s Resistance, and does get the chance to prove it on screen, but there was potential for so much more. Oscar Isaac should get the chance to explore with his role more in Episode VIII, but, until then, Marvel Comics has fans covered.
USA Today reports that Marvel will add Poe Dameron to their current slate of Star Wars comics. The ongoing book is scheduled to start in April, and will be written by Charles Soule and drawn by Phil Noto.
“…to see people reacting to him so strongly now just feels like we’re hopefully in a great position,” Soule says.
Adds Noto: “I’ve seen people on Twitter and Instagram looking for Poe Dameron in the comics. Now the pressure’s on us to deliver.”
The report states that the series will lead up to the opening scene of The Force Awakens, where Poe meets Lor San Tekka in order to retrieve the map to Luke Skywalker. The creative team looks forward to building on Poe’s character, and exploring the new corners of the galaxy:
“Sometimes it can feel like the Star Wars universe is so well trodden and so many stories have already been told,” Soule explains. “But the way the Episode VII galaxy is set up, there are opportunities for new archetypes almost, and the bad guy we’re working with is going to feel fresh and cool.”
The two are no strangers to the Star Wars comic universe. Soule has two miniseries under his belt: the completed Lando, and Obi-Wan & Anakin currently. Noto, meanwhile, was the artist for the Chewbacca miniseries, and also provided artwork for a number of Young Reader novels.
Marvel already scratched the surface of Poe’s backstory in Star Wars: Shattered Empire, a miniseries that takes place immediately after the end of Return of the Jedi. Poe’s parents are at the center of the story, revealed to be Rebel pilots who personally fought alongside Han, Leia, and even Luke. In fact, Luke gave Poe’s mother Shara Bey a Force Tree at the end of the series. Could this come into play during the new series?
Fans should rest easy, as it seems like Marvel has placed Poe’s character in the right hands:
“It’s silly not to explore the idea of a guy who grew up steeped in the Rebellion and the older Republic and all of those myths and legends,” Soule says. “If you think about it, he grew up the way we did, hearing all of these stories.”
