Published: July 13, 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;
BOUNTY HUNTERS VS. THE KNIGHTS OF REN!
• 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;
We have 3 covers for issue 25 and Giuseppe Camuncoli is assisted by Jesus Aburtov and they have done a wonderful job with the direct cover. Featuring a close up of Vicrul with the reflections on T’onga, Bossk and Zuckuss in his metallic face mask. Ken Lashley and Juan Fernandez’s variant shows T’onga’s crew surrounded by the Knights of Ren and really does highlight the tension of where were left at the end of issue 24. Lastly there is a cover from the Choose Your Destiny series by Chris Sprouse, Karl Story and Neeraj Menon. I know Kat was super excited when I sent over the image of this cover to her some time ago, so you know it features Kylo Ren!
I can’t believe we are at issue 25. The series has flown by, and you all know I have loved every issue. At the end of issue 24, T’onga and the team had infiltrated the Crimson Dawn flagship, Vermillion, in search of Cadeliah. In their path is the formidable Knights of Ren, so I’m sure there’s going to be plenty of action from page one.
The Knights of Ren block the path of T’onga and her crew and there’s only one way this is going to go. Bossk knows of them and their reputation, this is going to be brutal. He isn’t wrong, blasters rain fire and hand to hand combat ensues when Tasu Leech takes on Ren and his lightsaber in close quarters.
Back on the Edgehawk, Vukorah and Dengar’s plan is coming together. Alone with Losha, she springs her attack.
On Carida, Valance is undergoing repairs and treatments for his wounds picked up during the assassination on Garel. Although he is still at Vader’s beck and call, he no longer wants to be an Imperial. Lieutenant Haydenn tells him he is a hero and takes him to a room nearby to meet the civilians he helped save. She recognises his actions as those of an honourable man, not a mercenary. Haydenn is called to one side and is given some distressing news. The rebel base where Valance’s loved ones are hiding has been found and destroyed leaving no survivors.
The battle continues onboard the Vermillion. The advantage is passing between both sides constantly. They are evenly matched and both giving as good as they get. Zuckuss has a breathing pipe sheared and this hobbles him. He doesn’t breathe air, but a noxious gas and the severed pipe is placed under the helmet of Vicrul who collapses. 4-LOM manages to open the blast doors and the team squeeze through and separate themselves from the Knights.
Vukorah is stalking Losha, and she finds her. Losha closes the door behind them and Vukorah thinks she has the advantage without realising a Nexu peers down from the rafters above.
The crew are all carrying injuries. They need attention and patching up and head back to the Edgehawk. T’onga continues on her own deeper into the Vermillion to continue her search for Cadeliah.
Ok, where do I start to take all that apart and process it? Twists and turns, not just of the story, but of the knife Ethan Sacks seems to have in Valance’s back. I know he loves the character of Valance, as do I, but he is putting him through the wringer once more. Now an Imperial hero once more, who would potentially kill off his loved ones? This could have a profound effect on Valance if he finds out and it could get messy. Valance could end up going after Vader himself, now how could that end?
I love the way Sacks has built such insecurity into Tasu Leech’s character. This is really clever and subtle but adds a humour that lifts the moment. Humour has always been there from issue 1 of Bounty Hunters, and Sacks uses it in a great way.
The battle sequence on the Vermillion is just brilliant. It brings Paolo Villanelli’s artwork front and centre. I’ve talked about the energy and movement and this issue is just sublimely done, yet again. Arif Prianto has also added his trademark colours to Villanelli’s artwork. This really enhances those action sequences, but they are subtle when needed for more intimate moments. Travis Lanham is kept busy this issue and he does not disappoint. From WHAM! to VZZZYANG! to THOCK! and all those others in between, he has had to call on his whole repertoire just for this issue.
And then, there’s a beautiful twist. Vukorah has the advantage, locked away with defenceless Losha, I just can’t wait for when her pet Nexu gets involved!
When the Bounty Hunters series was announced, I was hoping that it would run for 15 or so issues before it finishes. Now, that is no reflection on anything we have seen, but is the nature of comic releases sometimes. So, to be hitting the milestone of 25 issues I must congratulate Ethan Sacks and the whole team for achieving this goal. The good news from this, is there seems to be no letting up with pace and scope for this series. So, here’s to the next 25 issues of Bounty Hunters!
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.
