Review: Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters #1

War of the Bounty Hunters is such a massive game changer that it not only alters Star Wars comics forever but it also alters the entire Star Wars Universe. The twist at the end of this issue is so massive that it’ll have any modern fan picking their chin up off the ground. This is a book that every fan of Boba Fett needs and it checks all the boxes with intrigue, action and massive twists.

The art in the book is much more of a classic Star Wars comic look with a simpler style and clear storytelling under the able hand of Luke Ross. The colors have a faded look that supports this callback to old school story-telling. This is a large shift from the prior issue and is a bit jarring but it is solid work and situates us nicely in the classic era.

The setup for the war itself is simple, Han Solo’s Carbonite body has been stolen from Boba Fett and the big question is who stole it and why. Add to this that someone has placed a bounty on Boba Fett himself and you have a set up for some massive battles. The issue begins with Han Solo’s captors planning a massive gathering with Solo’s body as bait. Given the large bounty on Han as well as the important friends and enemies he has made the mysterious group know this will lure in all the key players.

Boba Fett scrambles to find where Han’s body has been taken and who is behind the abduction. But his investigation is interrupted quickly by others unexpectedly attacking him. This even includes his former allies Zuckuss and 4-Lom. The battle is massive but Boba Fett gains the upper hand, and 4-Lom’s head.

He uses the droid to discover who’s put a price on his own head. Discovering its Jabba himself, Fett travels to Tatooine and makes a bloody introduction before Bib Fortuna tells him Jabba is on his war barge. Jabba is meeting with the other leaders of the Hutt cartel to discuss the return of an old player to the game.

Bib reveals the invitation that Jabba received that inspired him to feel Boba cheated him and thus placed a price on Boba’s head. The captors of Han Solo are revealed to be Crimson Dawn itself, the criminal empire from the Solo film. On Jekara, Crimson Dawn prepares for their guests from accross the Star Wars universe and the mastermind behind the entire plot is revealed to be Lady Qi’ra herself.

Bringing in such a major player from the Solo film and allowing Crimson Dawn and Qi’ra to be a key part of the classic era is a major change and has ramifications across potential future projects in every medium. This is a well written easy entry point for new fans and stalwarts, showcasing the grand action scenes and twists we’d want from the largest comic crossover in Star Wars history. The characters all ring true, the dialogue feels genuine and the book flies by fully immersing us in the world of bounty hunters and cartels. This is the classic Star Wars underworld we love combined with the newer underworld introduced in the modern era, and it’s all done so well that it feels seamless. The excitement is just beginning and the galaxy is unlimited.

Writing: 4.7 of 5 stars
Art: 4.2 of 5 stars
Colors: 3.9 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.3 of 5 stars

Writing: Charles Soule
Art: Luke Ross
Colors: Neeraj Menon
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.