Written by Ethan Sacks
Art by Paolo Villanelli
Published by Marvel Comics
This week’s installment of War of the Bounty Hunters, Bounty Hunters #16, finds us taking another step back in time to fill some gaps to events that occurred in a previous issue. That issue, War of the Bounty Hunters #4. An issue I wasn’t so kind to.
We’re back to solid form here! Valance and Dengar are on their way to Jekara to rescue Han Solo from Crimson Dawn. At least Valance is.
It’s this straightforward conflict that makes this issue succeed where others have fallen short.
The multiple story threads this time around have clear focus and goals for all involved; Valance aims to rescue his friend Han Solo. Dengar is desperate to collect the bounty on Boba Fett to free his love from Jabba the Hutt.
Fett is hell-bent on reclaiming what is rightfully his; Han Solo. T’onga and Losha are in search of a girl who is the unknowing heir to two family factions that can unite to oppose Crimson Dawn. And she’s a rebel! Valance is their best lead.
The visuals are dynamic, effective and give perfect tone to this issue as a whole. Boba Fett’s introduction, or should I say, re-introduction, sets up his character succinctly with one image and not a word of dialogue from Fett himself. We get a simple, innocuous event on page 4 that pays off perfectly in the climax.
This issue also redeems what I consider a major failing of War of the Bounty Hunters #4, the simplification of Valance and Dengar, whom I’ve grown to like.
Dengar’s separation from Valance has much more meaning in this issue. And better yet, not only does Valance and Boba Fett’s uneasy alliance feel more motivated, it’s done with far less dialogue than in War of the Bounty Hunters #4.
And Boba Fett? He hasn’t felt this much like Boba Fett since, well.., this is the closest that the War of the Bounty Hunters series has come to capturing Boba Fett as a mysterious, mythical figure.
While the overall focus is the acquisition of Han Solo, it’s the conflict between Valance and Dengar that drives this story and gives it weight. And as much as I enjoyed their time together, it feels like Valance and Dengar are officially going their separate ways.
Dengar has a new objective that could earn him the credits to secure his beloved’s freedom. But, is this the end of Dengar in the War of the Bounty Hunters? I think not. Let’s not forget that he was there when Jabba the Hutt unveiled his favorite decoration – Han Solo.
The only disappointment with Bounty Hunters #16? Yet another Deathstick ending.
