REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: Bounty Hunters,’ Issue #3

Star Wars: Bounty Hunters is back with an action-packed third issue. Published by Marvel Comics and written by Ethan Sacks, with art by Paolo Villanelli, colors by Arif Prianto, and letters by Travis Lanham, Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #3 brings a healthy helping of bounty hunters and violence (the perfect combo).

Lash, after betraying her bounty hunter crew by killing their client and initiating a war between two rival gangs, has recently emerged after years of hiding. Now, all the bounty hunters Lash crossed are out to get her, including her cyborg protegé Valance. Star Wars: Bounty Hunter #3 picks up after the previous issue, following Valance’s discovery of Lash’s coordinates which she hid at her parents’ gravesite knowing that Valance would know just where to look. However, a handful of other bounty hunters know of Valance’s discovery, including Bossk, who isn’t above killing Valance to get the information he wants.

It’s been a while since the second issue has graced our bookshelves, but Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #3 picks up as if it hasn’t, which is both a boon and a bane. Issue three continues the plot and theme of the previous two issues without a hitch in its step and it just feels like part of the series. However, it may take a second or two to get back up to speed because issue three plunges readers immediately back into the plot and action. Thankfully, there’s a short synopsis at the beginning of the issue to bring readers back up to speed.

Although the past two issues have dealt with more characterization, focusing on building the backgrounds of its characters along with their personalities, this issue stumbles in this area. Previous issues have excelled in taking old, well-known characters and divulging their backgrounds and motivations while introducing new characters, both integral to the plot and not. But we see very little of this characterization done in this issue. The saving grace here is that the current state of the plot just doesn’t support the wide cast we’ve seen in past issues, so this lack of character development is understandable but does make this issue less exciting than the previous.

We do, however, get some more characterization with Bossk, mostly through the dialogue. His personality seems to align with what most fans should recognize from other media. There is also some background building, including how Boba Fett ended up on the bounty hunter crew,  but still much less than other issues.

Unfortunately, my worry from the last issue still hasn’t been rectified. I was concerned that T’onga would be isolated to a basic story of revenge despite being a physically strong and interesting character. We don’t see much of T’onga in this issue, but hopefully, with how this issue ends, T’onga will finally get the spotlight she deserves and we’ll see her evolve into something more than just a plot device.

The highlight of this issue is primarily its action. Villanelli draws fight scenes and choreography in a way that is extremely visually appealing. The action scenes flow from one panel to the next with seemingly very little effort. The colors by Prianto only accentuate these scenes while reflecting the tone of the dialogue. The lettering by Lanham is simplistic but effective.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #3 brings fans a healthy helping of action and bounty hunters. Although this issue contains much less mystery, character development, and background building than previous issues, it’s entertaining enough and leaves off on a hopeful note that T’onga will finally receive more development.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #3 is available now wherever comic books are sold.