Published: December 7, 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;
MISSION TO BESTINE IV!
• BOSSK VS. TANKA
• Forced to take on a job for Crimson Dawn, the bounty hunters take on the Empire!
• Valance has a mission of his own, one that will put everyone he cares about in danger!
• What is the dark secret that threatens them all?
The review;
A full on Trandoshan on Trandoshan claw fight is just what the doctor ordered and judging by the cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli, with vibrant colour from Jesus Aburtov, that is what we are going to expect from the pages inside. Only one variant available for this issue, and the is the first 20th Anniversary variant for Attack of the Clones. This is beautifully created by Caspar Wijngaard and features Jango Fett standing on top of the Reek and readying to face off with Mace Windu in the Geonosis Arena.
Well, the Accretion Disco seemed to go a little awry, but what else can you expect with the havoc that Ethan Sacks thinks up week after week? With the prospect of Bossk facing off with Tanka in issue 29, things can’t go any more sideways for the crew of the Edgehawk… can they? With this arc is entitled Bedlam on Bestine, so I think we know the answer before we’ve even flipped a page!
Dispatched on a mission by Qi’ra for Crimson Dawn, the crew of the Edgehawk have arrived on Bestine. Their old colleague Beilert Valance is also on Bestine to undertake an operation for his Imperial masters to thwart a Crimson Dawn mission. Neither know of what and who lies in wait for them. Soon after landing, T’onga and the crew make quick work of getting onboard their target ship, but Valance is hot on their tail.
At Son-tuul Spaceport, the Son-tuul Pride Syndicate are going about business as usual, despite the threat of an Imperial bounty of their heads. A huge explosion announces the arrival of IG-88, and the non-complying Son-tuul Pride are picked off one by one. Bounty request 435 now complete, he receives bounty request 436 and the holo image reveals Vukorah.
Back on Bestine, Tasu Leech is getting bored, then out of nowhere a scaly clawed hand knocks him clean overboard. The second blow takes Bossk by surprise as Tanka lays into him. Tanka drives home his advantage, but Bossk has other plans. In true Indiana Jones bullwhip style, he uses some cable to snare Tanka by his neck and tethers it to the guard railing, then with one brutal effort he hurls Tanka over the same railing he had ejected Leech. Leech had managed to cling on the side of the ship, and he slowly pulls himself back to the deck. Bossk now knows their element of surprise has gone, they must warn the others.
The situation changes very quickly for T’onga, Losha, Zuckuss and their Crimson Dawn guards. They are pinned down by heavy fire from Shore Troopers. They turn to flee, and the Crimson Dawn guards are cut down by a familiar weapon with a familiar voice. Then the reality of their situation becomes clear to both T’onga… and Valance!
Okay, before we start to breakdown bits of the story, I need to salute Paolo Villanelli and Arif Prianto. There work in this issue is some of the best I have seen in this series. The one pager if IG-88 is stunning, but the 2-page spread of the Imperial Transport Ship in the storm is just sublime. The way they collaborate to bring the colour and art together, I felt like I could actually hear the rain bouncing off the hull of the ship.
The last page is also so well portrayed. The expressions of shock and realisation on the faces of both T’onga and Valance is amazing. Just from looking at that page, you can see the emotions running through them and the realisation of what they may have to do to a friend to achieve their own goals. I’ve spoken many times about the way Villanelli, and Sacks have gelled over this series, but Prianto is one of the unsung heroes of the success Bounty Hunters has had.
I also need to tip my hat to Travis Lanham. His lettering throughout is perfect, especially the overuse of “PEW” in one frame, I loved it!
Yet more twists from Sacks. Pitting the crew of the Edgehawk up against Valance is Sacks at his cruellest (… and best!). I get the feeling he’s been plotting way too much with Greg Pak (Darth Vader series writer), especially now the storyline for Valance is reconverging with Bounty Hunters once more.
One thing doesn’t change from issue to issue and that’s just how good every issue is. It consistently hits the right note for me every time. Story, artwork, layout and lettering very rarely show any hints of dropping from the top level. 29 issues in, Bounty Hunters is running strong. I know there will be an end at some point, but please Marvel, don’t let it be any time soon!
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.
