REVIEW: ‘Star Wars: Bounty Hunters,’ Issue #13

Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #13 continues the series’ participation in the War of the Bounty Hunters crossover event. The issue, published by Marvel Comics, is written by Ethan Sacks, with art from Paolo Villanelli, colors by Arif Prianto, and letters by VC’s Travis Lanham. The shaky alliance of Valance and Dengar continue their hunt for Boba Fett, who recently had a bounty put on his head by Jabba The Hutt. Valance is more concerned with saving his old friend Han Solo, who Fett seems to have lost.

This issue is so much more enjoyable than the last. The odd couple that is Valance and Dengar is actually very funny on a number of occasions throughout this issue and not annoying like it was previously. But really, the heart of this whole issue is somebody who has nothing to do with the series’ main cast: Chewbacca. Chewie and C3P-0 are on the Smuggler’s Moon just like Dengar and Valance, trying to get info on Fett and Solo. Chewbacca is without question my favorite character of the Original Trilogy; he’s the only character with emotional maturity, and the way he cares deeply and profoundly for his friends is the greatest. All of that shows astutely in Bounty Hunters #13.

The layers of backstory in War of the Bounty Hunters are still a bit confounding. Still, this issue does a good job explaining why Chewie has a gripe with both Valance and Dengar individually, as well as reminding the reader why Valance is so invested in saving Han. The previous issues of this series were not nearly as clear on explaining backstory, and if you ignore the B story, which will make no sense to those just picking up the series for the first time for the crossover, this book is a great example of how to explain what needs to be explained without it feeling shoehorned.

The fight sequence that makes up half of the issue is drawn with great intensity. You can see the passion and distress coming from both Chewbacca and Valance. A lot of the backgrounds are blurred to highlight the fast-paced, but the backgrounds in the B story are filled with disturbing images of death and destruction. I may not know what is going on, having not read the whole series to this point. Still, the art and the drastically different, darker color panels has me very intrigued and interested in reading the back issues to understand better what’s going on. The issue generally does fall into the common Star Wars comic trap of grey, brown, and red planets, but the action is drawn close up enough that you barely even notice the backgrounds.

I’m still not entirely sold on this series as it continues to partake in the War of the Bounty Hunters. However, if the emotional notes between Valance and Chewbacca, as well as the comedy Dengar, added continue, I can see it growing on me. Until then, Bounty Hunters #13 is not as strong as I hoped it would be as the second issue in this story arc, but it is certainly a step up from the previous issue.

Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #13 is available wherever comics are sold.