Written by Ethan Sacks
Art by Paolo Villanelli
Published by Marvel Comics
PRELUDE TO WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS: “THE THREAT IN THE SHADOWS”
I’m going to say it right out of the gate. This is the first issue of War of the Bounty Hunters I genuinely enjoyed.
In this third story, some classic The Empire Strikes Back bounty hunters enter the fray to acquire the Carbonite block of Han Solo and claim his bounty. Ironically, the hunt is also on for the most infamous bounty hunter of all, Boba Fett, who now has a bounty on his head himself.
However, this is really the bounty hunter Valance’s story, a cyborg character nearly as old as Star Wars comics themselves. With Dengar tagging along, Valance is desperate to find Han, but not for the reasons you think.
That’s why I like the story.
We’re given a believable and relatable reason to root for Valance.
Another prelude issue, this works perfectly as such, setting the objectives and establishing the character’s motives, making me eager see what happens next.
A great teaser.
Where I’ve been critical of previous releases from this series for the questionable dissemination of information, this issue seems to address my previous criticisms in a smart way.
For instance, in a flashback, when Han mentions that the Falcon made the Kessel Run in less than twelve parsecs, not only was he saying this to a new character, he also didn’t finish the boast because, well, he didn’t need to.
I’m normally incredibly forgiving of the art because I admire artists in general. Here, the artwork is mostly spot on as usual. However, two things bugged me that I’m compelled to note.
First, Valance’s stolen ship looks the saucer section of a Star Trek Federations starship.
It does.
It’s distracting.
Lastly, the closing panel features a buff Boba Fett.
The entire issue maintains a consistent “normal” look to the characters making the buff Fett feel like he belongs to a different issue by a different artist. Being a ravenous Star Wars toy collector, buff Fett also reminds me too much of Kenner’s 1995 Power of the Force 2 “He-Man” Boba Fett action figure.
That’s not a good thing.
That said, since story trumps all, I’m sold and give this issue a hardy recommendation.
