Warning! Spoilers ahead for Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #13 and Darth Vader #15
In the latest tie-in issue to Star Wars' War of the Bounty Hunters event, Crimson Dawn's true endgame is beginning to be revealed beyond selling Han Solo to the highest bidder. The biggest criminal organizations in the galaxy have all been assembled at Crimson Dawn's auction that marks its return and rebirth, though it seems the syndicate's leader Lady Qi'ra has grander plans that exceed simply rejoining the galaxy's underground in the event from Marvel Comics.
Thus far in War of the Bounty Hunters, a real who's who of the galaxy's seediest corners have all gathered to bid on Han Solo, who's still encased in carbonite after the events of Empire Strikes Back. However, due to his high value beyond the monetary, Crimson Dawn's auction has also attracted the attention of both the Empire and the Rebellion, not to mention Boba Fett who's determined to take his bounty back after Crimson Dawn stole Solo from him while en route to deliver him to Jabba the Hutt.
However, War for the Bounty Hunters' latest tie-in issues feature some rather interesting details, hinting at the Dawn's greater endgame now that it has returned. In Star Wars: Doctor Aphra #13 from Alyssa Wong and Minkyu Jung, Aphra and Sana Starros knock out a member of the criminal organization Black Sun, only to discover she has a hidden tattoo of Crimson Dawn's sigil. The issue also reveals that the Canto Bight-based crime organization known as the Sixth Kin have traitors and spies for Crimson Dawn as well. Furthermore, Darth Vader #15 from Greg Pak and Raffaele Ienco confirms that the Hutt Clans likewise have a Crimson Dawn agent in their midst in the form of Bokku the Hutt, whom Darth Vader himself has also influenced as the crossover event has gone on. Clearly, Lady Qi'ra is quite persuasive, managing to gain loyalties and having agents within some of the biggest crime organizations in the galaxy.
Qi'ra and the Dawn have big plans with all of these moles and spies, and they likely have more within other syndicates beyond those shown in these new issues. It's very possible that Crimson Dawn could be looking to dismantle and weaken its rivals from within, wanting to become the dominant criminal power in the galaxy. However, it's also just as likely that Qi'ra's ambition will be her undoing, seeing as new previews have teased that Darth Vader will be seeking revenge against the syndicate first formed by Darth Maul.
In any case, it's going to be interesting to see where Crimson Dawn goes next, especially after War of the Bounty Hunters concludes. Marvel has recently announced the new miniseries Crimson Reign, which will see Crimson Dawn's operations in the aftermath of the event while also connecting it to the Knights of Ren. Regardless, the fact the Crimson Dawn has eyes and ears everywhere among its rivals certainly makes it a force to be reckoned with in the Star Wars universe.