Review: "Star Wars: Boba Fett – Black, White & Red #2"

“Boba Fett’s not a bounty hunter… he’s THE bounty hunter.”

I previously gave a glowing review of Boba Fett – Black, White & Red #1. I’m pleased to report that the trend will continue with issue #2 of this solid, rewarding anthology series, each by different writers. These comics are 2 and 0 when it comes to portraying Boba Fett both well and faithfully, something I’m very grateful and hyped about because I’m hoping it can lead to a comeback for him.

The plot for this one is simple, straightforward, but fun and classic when it comes to Fett missions: Boba is pursuing a bounty. However, this particular bounty is an exceptional thief who has a master of evasion- not your typical target. Also, as revealed in our recent interview with the author, the story makes sure to show us things from the bounty’s point of view. In other words, what does it feel like to be hunted by Boba Fett? This comic shows us well that it’s essentially dread, adrenaline, and nonstop running.

The beginning starts in a way that highlights these very things and takes me back to the Expanded Universe itself. One of the first panels is a looming shot of the Slave I. The way it’s shown is just so overwhelming and awesome. It must feel so daunting to have it bearing down on you, looking for you.
Samu the Scurrier, who is Boba’s target, admits to feeling fear. But he’s a slippery quarry. For starters, he somehow manipulated the information on his bounty puck to show a picture of the wrong person. This even causes a delay for Boba, who had to be told by a droid that this had been the case. While Boba gets more information on Samu from the droid, Samu is trying to call in favors from literally anyone he can on this planet. I imagine he has operated here for a while, because it’s obvious he has some sort of history with the characters showcased. One particular one, an Imperial officer, has some lines that I really liked because it once again demonstrates what Boba Fett is supposed to be. When Samu is discussing the possibility of simply paying off Boba, the Imperial scoffs and says “You don’t understand who’s after you, huh? Boba Fett’s not a bounty hunter…he’s THE bounty hunter.”

This is who Boba Fett is, at his best. The best bounty hunter in the galaxy, with no equal. A dedicated master who completes any job he takes on, even missions others consider “impossible.” In other words, that one line from the Imperial implies both his effectiveness and his reputation for not yielding for whatever reason, be it bribery or opposition. It is fitting that this line is said with an awesome shot of Boba hovering with his jetpack, looking down like a bird of prey seeking to swoop down on it’s target. Excellent. Kudos to both author Saladin Ahmed and illustrator Ramon Rosanas.

Another trick buys Samu more time- a homemade bomb of sorts, releasing a powder that scrambles the sensors used by Boba’s helmet. But Samu’s sister, who was also looking for Samu, helps point Boba in the right direction. She wants him to be captured alive by Boba, because he is apparently pursued by people who want him dead. We find out who a couple of pages later: a trio of Houk. Houk are a species of large…how do I explain this? Skadge from the Old Republic game. They’re his species. Imagine if something like a bearded dragon was transformed into a large, thick humanoid, large enough to compete with Wookiees. That’s what these Houk guys are.

I don’t know if this counts as a spoiler, but they are no match for Boba. One of the reasons Boba is the best is because of the devastating, versatile arsenal he uses in the Mandalorian Armor he inherited from Jango Fett. He puts this arsenal to good use, absolutely wiping the floor with all three of these guys easily. It was like making three Gungans fight an Acklay: just an absolutely vicious, thorough, and amusing obliteration. Boba 1, Houk 0. The flamethrower, in particular, shined here.

I don’t want to give away too much of the ending, because I think this comic is worthy and I want to encourage readers to check it out. But I will say this: Boba has, at minimum, a shred of honor despite his ruthlessness. This means a lot in a world like bounty hunting, where treachery is as abundant as oxygen in the air and no one can truly be trusted. Boba got this honor from Jango Fett, and I think his relationship with Boba played a role in what went down in this last encounter, not just Boba’s commitment to finishing his bounties. Just as Jango was Boba’s idol, Samu also plays that role for his child as well. It’s a touching way to send off a simple but excellent comic.

It’s hard to praise this comic in a way differently from the last issue, because it excels in a very similar way. I absolutely loved this issue because it’s like having the original Boba Fett back. The one from the Original Trilogy and the Expanded Universe, who was always on top of his game and presented a very real and overwhelming threat to his quarry. With this Boba, less is more. He doesn’t talk much, or move needlessly. But when he does, it absolutely counts. The hint of honor goes a long way for me too. He already had somewhat of a code from the very beginning, even before the Prequel Trilogy was released. But with Jango Fett added to his backstory, the honor was an overlapping way of reconciling the past novels with the ones released during the Prequel era. This idea isn’t flat out stated, but definitely implied in the ending.

Overall, this is proving to be one of my favorite Boba Fett comic series of all time. I would rather have shorter projects that are faithful in their characterization of Boba, than long projects that aren’t. Although I favor live-action and video games over comic books, the comics are still part of Canon and also a worthy medium of entertainment in their own right. These comics are worthy successors to the likes of Twin Engines of Destruction and Blood Ties. The plots of Black, White and Red might not be as deep, but they are nonetheless just as faithful in their handling of Boba Fett.

I highly recommend these comics to any seasoned Fett fans who want to relive “the good old days,” or to new fans who want to see Boba at his best, in a unique art style with minimal colors that suits him well. I hope issues 3 and 4 continue this trend. Imagine going 4 and 0? What a run that would be…fingers crossed.

The Pros

• Another faithful portrayal of Boba Fett
• Interesting point of view from the quarry, a likeable character in his own right
• Flamethrower turning a Houk into fried chicken
• Although short, comic tells a solid story from beginning to end

The Cons

• Enemies are typical cannon fodder – still no heavy hitters; I want Boba Fett vs Durge but maybe I’m asking too much

Rating

Star Wars: Boba Fett – Black, White & Red #2
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