REVIEW: Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #17

Star Wars Bounty Hunters #17 is a fantastic ending to this book’s part in the War of the Bounty Hunters. This issue truly feels like a Star Wars adventure with a ragtag team on an insane mission facing off against the Empire.

Ethan Sacks has truly found his rhythm here with the characters playing off each other and the action hitting hard. The Empire is depicted in all its glory with amazing artwork by Paolo Villanelli. The Stormtroopers here might be the best ever depicted on the comics page. While they’re only around for a few scenes, the rest of the book is equally well done. The color art here is mind-boggling in how it perfectly complements the action in each panel.

More than anything, this is an issue that just keeps moving. Character develops as part of the action rather than as a break from it. Valance has been mortally injured, betrayed and left on an imperial starship by Boba Fett. He faces off in epic fashion against the imperial forces. Meanwhile T’onga and Losha has recruited other bounty hunters including Zuckuss and Tasu to help save Valance.

They attempt to storm Vader’s flagship the Executor while Valance starts to befriend a young imperial cadet. Unfortunately the cadet is lost when the empire blows the air pressure in an attempt to kill them both. Valance fights his way off the ship and reaches out to Zuckuss. But tragically is pulled apart as Vader uses the Force to drag him back. The issue ends with Valance’s death and rebirth into Vader’s service.

This is a great cap to an action filled arc. The story-telling here is clear and focused, the characterizations emerge strongly through the heat of battle and the art is just an absolute feast.

Writing: 4.4 of 5 stars
Art: 5 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.8 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.7 of 5 stars

Writer: Ethan Sacks
Art: Paolo Villanelli
Colors: Arif Prianto
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.