Issue #29 - War of the Bounty Hunters #5 - “Attack at Dawn”
Did you know that the Hutt Armada once launched an attack on the Galactic Empire over the frozen body of Han Solo? I didn’t. It certainly seems like something that a rich 10-year-old with too many action figures would dream up in his basement. But, why not throw the kitchen sink into this giant Marvel crossover series? That is the entire point of crossovers, is it not?
The War of the Bounty Hunters ends where it began. Boba Fett is delivering the frozen Han Solo to Jabba’s Palace. And yet according to the final page, The War of the Bounty Hunters mini-series is only the first installment of a trilogy which (apparently) will continue with “Crimson Reign” and conclude with “The Hidden Empire”. Keep those wallets handy, fans.
Issue #30 - Doctor Aphra #15 - “Party Favors”
Aphra is being pursued by agents of the Crimson Dawn which included the Bounty Hunter, Deathstick. Fortunately Aphra is being pursued in a space museum and she is, afterall, an archeologist. Aphra is able to ID a deadly weapon cherished by The Ascendant, which was apparently a group of dark force users even darker than the Sith. She uses the weapon and manages to escape. Yet what she discovers about Crimson Dawn foreshadows the future of the Marvel Star Wars line. And the future is Crimson.
Issue #31 - Darth Vader #17 - “Just Rewards”
Ochi of Bestoon was sort of a throwaway character from “The Rise of Skywalker”. Marvel, however, seems to really like the character and has made him a big part of the “Darth Vader” line as well as the Marvel Star Wars lines as a whole.
From the beginning of this crossover I was skeptical that the story would have no lasting impact on Star Wars lore. And yet as “War of the Bounty Hunters” wraps up it becomes clear that the story is not a one-off, it is a set-up for things to come. So on one hand, the crossover is not just a gimmick and on the other hand… I guess I have to keep reading. I can’t just put down the comics just yet.
Issue #32 - IG-88 #1 - “Born to Kill”
And as much fun as a huge interconnective crossover event is, sometimes small one-off stories are the real heart and soul of the comics industry. Stories like this one. IG-88 lies dead, sliced to pieces by Lord Vader. IG-88 is resurrected and programmed with a mission. IG-88 is defeated by Boba Fett and again left for dead. IG-88 ponders his place in the universe.
Comics can do many things that other mediums can’t. A giant sprawling crossover is one. A small examination of characters that wouldn’t otherwise have a voice is another.
Issue #33 - Star Wars #18 - “Collision Course”
Han Solo had one great love in his life: The princess that turned the scoundrel into a hero. This is what we all used to believe. But Han Solo had two great loves, many of us do. The princess he ended up with and his first great love- the love he met when he was still a scrumrat.
In “Collision Course” both of these women come face to face. Each with vastly more power and galactic influence than Han will ever have. Qi’ra boards the Millenium Falcon without weapons- only wanting a conversation and for 20 pages that’s what this issue delivers, a simple conversation between two women… about a man. Technically it does not pass the Bectdel test, but as I mentioned earlier the two women in question are no damsels in distress. They are two of the most influential people in the galaxy, they just happen to love the same man.
Issue #34 - Bounty Hunters #17 - “Escape From the Executor”
Beilert Valance lies in pieces, defeated, betrayed by Boba Fett.
Valance is not the most popular Star Wars character. He’s not as recognizable as Boba Fett or Bossk. And yet he’s been around longer than any of them. A Bounty Hunter. Once lost to obscurity and now with his own comic line.
Or does he?
Valance the Hunter is now… Valance: Servant of Lord Vader? Interesting if true...
This blogpost was meant to be a conclusion but after those six issues there is only one way to conclude: To Be Continued…
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