Warning! Spoilers ahead for War of the Bounty Hunters #5
While Star Wars' latest event War of the Bounty Hunters has come to an end, it's only the first chapter of a new trilogy set within the timeline of the original films. Taking place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, the event sees the galaxy come together in a massive battle, fighting over the infamous smuggler Han Solo whom Boba Fett lost to none other than Crimson Dawn. Led by Lady Qi'ra, the former love of Han Solo has big plans for the Dawn that will be featured across two more upcoming events set in the galaxy far, far away.
At the beginning of War of the Bounty Hunters, Crimson Dawn was revealed to be reborn, having become much bigger than the criminal syndicate it once was created by Darth Maul. In the event, Crimson Dawn's new leader Lady Qi'ra offered up Han Solo (still encased in carbonite) to the highest bidder, inviting all of the galaxy's major players to come together. However, it was soon revealed that Solo was just the bait, allowing Qi'ra to destabilize the relationship between the Hutt Clans and the Empire using Crimson Dawn's vast network of spies and agents. It also lets the whole galaxy know that the Dawn has returned, more powerful than ever before.
However, the finale of War of the Bounty Hunters from Charles Soule, Luke Ross, and Davide Messina is only Crimson Dawn's opening act. Lady Qi'ra is now ready to usher the Dawn into the recently teased Crimson Reign event in December, which will also feature the Knights of Ren, making this upcoming event their earliest appearance in the Star Wars timeline. However, the issue's final page also reveals that War of the Bounty Hunters and Crimson Reign will be followed by a final chapter in this new trilogy within the original trilogy of films known as The Hidden Empire, releasing in 2022.
It seems likely that while War of the Bounty Hunters saw Crimson Dawn's rebirth, Crimson Reign will see the organization at its height while The Hidden Empire will feature its eventual decline or possible destruction (given its lack of presence in the Star Wars galaxy during or after Return of the Jedi). Likewise, teasers for upcoming issues have already hinted that Darth Vader will be actively hunting Crimson Dawn, seeing as how the Dark Lord and Lady Qi'ra are not on very good terms after their recent duel. As such, if Lady Qi'ra is hoping to fill the void and position Crimson Dawn to become bigger than the Hutt Clans, she's certainly operating on some tense ground as far as a relationship with the Empire is concerned.
In any case, the idea of a trilogy within the original trilogy is interesting, and it's exciting to see the gap of time between episodes V and VI being fleshed out in some pretty dynamic ways thanks to these ongoing Star Wars comics. Furthermore, while War of the Bounty Hunters was an impressive event on its own, it looks as though even bigger things are on the horizon with the upcoming second and third chapters of this new trilogy.