Published: June 15, 2022
Rated: T
Writer: Ethan Sacks
Artist: Paolo Villanelli
Colourist: Arif Prianto
Letterer: VC’s Travis Lanham
Production Design: Nick Russell
Cover Artist: Giuseppe Camuncoli & Jesus Aburtov
The synopsis;
“Raid on the Vermillion, Part One”
• Dengar is leading T’onga’s bounty hunter crew on a desperate attempt to break into the Crimson Dawn’s stronghold – and he’s also leading them into a trap!
• Meanwhile, Valance has found new purpose as Darth Vader’s secret weapon. But how far will he be willing to go to protect an Imperial officer from assassins?
The review;
Giuseppe Camuncoli is assisted by Jesus Aburtov once more to bring us the direct cover. Featuring Valance disabling an Imperial AT-ST with his palm blaster, for long time Valance fans like myself, it is a brilliant cover. Only 2 variants for this issue, but we have 2 crackers! As June is PRIDE month, Jan Bazaldua and Anthony Fabela bring us a wonderful cover over Losha and T’onga. I’m loving the colour combinations on this with earthy and almost muddy colours on the main characters against the bright colours of the sky and moon. We also get another new series of covers start with this issue. Chris Sprouse, Karl Story, and Neeraj Menon are brought together again for the Choose Your Destiny series of covers. This will feature all the major lightsaber wielding characters and detailed artwork of the hilts. First out is General Grievous for what I think will be a very, very popular series of variants for many collectors.
This is the second issue in two weeks, so the story is moving thick and fast. Issue 23 felt like a bridging issue between arcs and the title “Raid on the Vermillion, Part One” reinforces that feeling. Dengar has finally joined, or should I say infiltrated T’onga’s group of bounty hunters. Vukorah is still in their grasp, Cadeliah is in the possession of Qi’ra and Khamdek is dead. Judging by the cover, Valance is coming back over to where it all started with this series after his sojourn with Darth Vader. We also welcome back Paolo Villanelli after a one issue sabbatical. So, let’s see what Ethan Sacks and the team have in store for us in issue 24.
Dengar is on onboard the Edgehawk and persuades T’onga to let him have some time to interrogate Vukorah. We all know that Dengar can’t be trusted, and he reveals his allegiance to Crimson Dawn and that he is an ally to her. This results in him setting Vukorah up with a weapon for a latter part of their plan.
Valance is on Garel in the Lothal Sector running a security detail to protect General Skarhorn from potential assassination during a public rally. A false alarm in the crowd causes confusion and an AT-ST starts to move towards the dais. Valance commandeers a speeder bike and sets off in pursuit. Blasters are no use, so Valance lines up the bike on a collision course to topple the rogue walker. His plan is successful, but a young girl is sent over the edge of platform and plummets towards the ground far below. Valance launches himself after her and catches her. He turns during their descent and takes the impact of the fall. Luckily, they both survive, but this attack was a decoy and Skarhorn has been assassinated by another.
The Edgehawk lands on Nal Hutta and Dengar is off to secure a path onto the Vermillion. They don’t trust Dengar, but he presents the only chance they have to rescue Cadeliah. Once out of sight, he contacts Manaroo, the payments have arrived. He is treading a thin line playing one off against the other, but it will be enough credits to retire from the bounty hunting game.
Losha is upset with T’onga as she has been left out of the team to board the Vermillion. T’onga asks her to keep the Edgehawk ready to go and to guard Vukorah. The team adorn disguises to get them past security. An explosion in the crowd helps their cover and they get aboard. Dengar leaves as his job is now done, but on his way out, he tips off security about them being onboard.
The team exit a turbolift only to be ambushed by Crimson Dawn guards. After a fierce fight, they are victorious, but something else is now blocking their path… The Knights of Ren!
I read this issue in what felt like the matter of a minute. It felt like I was in a time warp, as I was lost in the plot from the first second I started reading. I also can’t go any further without saying “Welcome back” to Paolo Villanelli. His trademark style is there for us to see from the first frame. The motion, energy and action bursting from the page is just a joy to look at.
Dengar: Love him or hate him, but what Sacks is doing with his character is masterful. The comparison with the other bounty hunters all working together, but not Dengar. He is the ultimate mercenary. We’ve even seen that Boba Fett is willing to compromise for the bigger picture, but Dengar is all about the job and the money.
The humour and banter between Tasu Leech and Bossk is there once more. The tension between them is always bubbling under, but when they are teamed up in a fight, it overflows, and they verbally shred each other while taking out their enemies.
Another welcome back goes to Beilert Valance. His Imperial realignment seems to be wearing off by the minute and we are getting the old Valance back and I love it. Earlier in the series the development of his character had been magnificent, and it is nice to see that shine through the reindoctrinating he has endured. There is also a great glimpse of the compassion he has. He was once an Imperial grunt, but the way he is now willing to potentially sacrifice himself for the young girl who falls, is a testament to who he now is.
In my last review, I gave a shout out to Travis Lanham for his excellent lettering work and that continues in this issue. His lettering and its layout really add to what Sacks and Villanelli are trying to achieve, and it is a team that has worked well together since the first issue.
Well, if that was Part One, what the blazes will we get in Part Two? T’onga’s bounty hunters versus The Knights of Ren… and Vukorah stalking Losha on the Edgehawk, I can’t wait!
Availability;
Bounty Hunters is an ongoing series available from Marvel Comics. This issue retails at $3.99 and is available via the Marvel App, ComiXology and all good comic book stores.
