Review: Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters #2

War of the Bounty Hunters is the Star Wars crossover we never imagined was possible. Charles Soule and Luke Ross give us a cacophony of amazing characters gathering together to form a chaotic crescendo.

This issue is a massive buildup with a gathering of titans on Jekera as seemingly half the characters in the Star Wars universe gather for the auction of Han Solo’s Carbonite body. Crimson Dawn lead by Lady Qi’ra have captured the prize from Boba Fett and have invited every major operative to bid. Black Sun, the Hutts, the Pykes, the Rebellion, Aphra, the Empire, Bounty Hunters, Boba Fett and, by issue’s end, Darth Vader himself all gather together plotting to gain the Carbonite Solo.

This issue is heavy on buildup but lower on action than prior. There is a fantastic sequence where Boba burns off Bossk’s limbs, reminiscent of Anakin’s fate battling Obi Wan. Boba then crashes the gala in disguise, and recruits Sana and Aphra to agree to create a disruption.

The bidding begins and showcases the sheer power and wealth of the Hutt Cartel. In spite of all the forces gathered in the room the Hutts stand out in girth, power and willingness to invest. Fett moves to grab Han but runs into Leia, Chewy and Lando. All seems lost to the Hutts until Vader arrives to claim Han as his prize and bait for Luke Skywalker.

The art gleams with all the grandeur deserving of this massive occasion. The art by Luke Ross shines especially in the action sequences and the hope is that as this book transitions to even more action we see more of the detailed, gritty art of the battles and a bit less of the broader, simplified art of the gathering. The simpler style may be needed to give due justice to all these characters but it just doesn’t hold a candle to the artist at his very best.

This book gives us so many potential face offs, Leia versus Qi’ra, Aphra versus the bounty hunters, Aphra versus Vader, Fett versus Vader, Chewy versus the Hutts, Crimson Dawn versus the Empire. The possibilities are endless and it will be fascinating to see what Soule and the entire Star Wars team brings to us as this crossover moves back into big screen action territory.

Writing: 4.7 of 5 stars
Art: 4.1 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.2 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.3 of 5 stars

Writer: 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.