The Star Wars universe has been expanding, thanks to Marvel Comics. Currently, there are more than a few comics to choose from, but the Empire Ascendant is taking place as the Rebellion starts to build their base on Hoth. We were being led up to this moment in the previous series finding Hoth, now we're right before The Empire Strikes Back takes place. As it turns out, Poe Dameron's parents were instrumental in helping to build the Rebel base on the icy planet, though things almost ended badly.

In the Empire Ascendant story, An Echo of Victory, Star Wars fans learn that Shara Bey and Kes Dameron helped to build Echo Base with some very limited resources. Instead of using regular mining equipment, which they did not have, the couple used a modified A-Wing laser gun to make the tunnels that eventually became the base. However, one of the blasts proves to be too powerful and it causes an avalanche, leaving the couple stranded.

It's at this time that Shara Bey and Kes Dameron send a message to their infant son, Poe. They fill him in on their goal with the Rebellion, which is ultimately to have him grow up in a world of peace, though Kes starts to question if the Rebellion will ever be able to pull it all off. When everything seems hopeless, Luke Skywalker and Chewbacca blast through an icy tunnel wall with a Lightsaber, saving Poe's parents. After saving them, it is revealed that Luke's heroic actions actually caused quite a bit of damage to the base, which will need to be fixed.

This is a clever way to bring Poe Dameron's story from the sequel trilogy into focus. As it turns out, Luke Skywalker, Leia Organa, and even Han Solo all knew Poe's parents, which would mean that Chewbacca, R2-D2, and C-3PO do too. While some Star Wars fans don't like to have to keep up with reading all of these comic books to get these stories, they really aren't going to be told anywhere else, especially now that The Rise of Skywalker is out in theaters. With that being said, one would hope that a Disney+ series could go back to some of these more intriguing stories and flesh them out.

Poe Dameron and Leia Organa's relationship makes a bit more sense when knowing that she knew his parents this whole time. It also puts Poe's determination to be the best Resistance fighter pilot that he can be into perspective. It's a shame none of this was explored on the big screen, but there's only so much time to tell a tight and compact story in only three movies. For Star Wars fans hoping to learn more about what happened right before The Empire Strikes Back, you can head over to Marvel Comics to purchase the comic book.

Star Wars Comic Poe Luke Skywalker #1
Star Wars Comic Poe Luke Skywalker #2