Star Wars: Poe Dameron #26 - 31

Prior to Poe Dameron #26, all the stories in the title happen before The Force Awakens and we never see Rey or Finn.  These stories center on Poe Dameron and his Black Squadron carrying out missions for General Leia to counter the growing threat of the First Order.  With issue #26, the stories shift focus and take place during The Force Awakens and The Last Jedi.  Even better yet, the framing sequences show our heroes on the Millennium Falcon interacting as Poe is telling these tales.  These framing sequences occur just after our heroes escape the First Order on Crait.

Poe Dameron #26 has Poe telling a tale of his mission to Jakku and how he survived his and Finn's crash there to Rey and Finn.  The story is intermixed with events from The Force Awakens, giving a new perspective on familiar events from the movie.

Star Wars: Poe Dameron #26a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (April 2018)

The story continues in Poe Dameron #27 as Poe recounts his leading the X-Wing Fighter attack at the Battle of Takodana.  Poe then starts talking about Black Squadron and a mission they undertake to learn more about Starkiller Base.  Many pages of this issue show the interaction of our heroes on the Falcon and the opening with Leia and Chewbacca in the cockpit of the Falcon are touching as they both are thinking about the recently departed Han Solo.

Star Wars: Poe Dameron #27a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (May 2018)

Issue #28 picks up where the last issue left off with Poe leading the attack on Starkiller Base.  After this, the issue contains a nice interlude with C-3PO helping Rey translate the old Jedi text and Poe and Finn checking up on an unconscious Rose Tico.  Finn asks Poe about what happened after Starkiller Base is destroyed and before he wakes from his coma.  Poe explains that the First Order regrouped and was headed toward the Resistance Base on D'Qar.  Poe volunteers to fly out to distract the First Order while the base is evacuated and Leia sends Black Squadron, led by Snap Wexley, on a mission to ask for help from allies, explaining their absence from The Last Jedi.

Star Wars: Poe Dameron #28a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (June 2018)

The next 3 issues all tell stories of Black Squadron's attempt to gather help from Leia's allies.  These stories are framed by BB-8 playing transmissions received by C-3PO to Poe from Black Squadron member Jessika Pava giving an update on their mission's status.  The first ally they solicit help from is on the planet Pastoria.  Black Squadron is tricked into killing the rival faction's leader by the current leader King Siroc.  With his rule over his people assured, Siroc tells Black Squadron he has no plans to help the Resistance.

Star Wars: Poe Dameron #29a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (July 2018)

After the failed mission to Pastoria in Poe Dameron #29, Black Squadron head to the planet Ikkrukk in issue #30.  Ikkrukk is under siege by the First Order and the shielded Grail City is sending out distress signals to the Resistance.  First Order sympathizers are sabotaging the shields while the First Order cruiser Fortitude, commanded by Colonel Barrut, is bombarding the city from orbit.  The four members of Black Squadron decides to lend assistance.  Their plan is to have Snap and his wife Kare Kun engage the First Order above the city while Jessika and Suralinda Javos head to the surface to repair the faltering shield.  The issue ends with Poe playing another transmission from Jessika who is badly battered next to a fallen Suralinda.

Star Wars: Poe Dameron #30a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (August 2018)

The final issue has Poe asking Leia if he can fly out to help Black Squadron.  Just a Black Squadron is about to succumb to the overwhelming First Order attack, Poe appears and helps turns the tide of the battle.  There is a nice scene where Poe tells Barrut that Snoke is dead, but she is in denial.  In the end, the First Order's attack on Ikkrukk is defeated and Ikkrukk agree to help the Resistance.

Star Wars: Poe Dameron #31a - Marvel Comics, U.S. (September 2018)

These are strong issues with beautiful art and the covers contain a trade dress that helps separate them from other issues in the Poe Dameron title.  I particularly like the cover to the final issue; Black Squadron is framed by visages of prominent characters throughout the title's run.  Now that The Rise of Skywalker has been released and the sequel trilogy is over, Marvel has plans to tell even more stories with the sequel trilogy heroes and these 6 issues are a glimpse into the potential these future stories hold.