LucasFilm and Disney are constantly looking for new ways to tell the Star Wars story, and their recent comic book event is focused around the space-traveling criminals and rogues known as Bounty Hunters. It's an exciting era for any fan of the expanded universe, and these canon comics are only continuing to add some impressive depth to this fictional galaxy.

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There's a lot that audiences need to know about this event, from its premise to how they can read it all and who some of the incredible people behind these stories are. It's an exciting time to be a fan of the Star Wars universe, and there are now more ways than ever to interact with this new Boba Fett and Han Solo narrative.

The Premise

han solo carbonite unstable boba fett preview.

The basic background to this new story involves the events of The Empire Strikes BackAfter Han Solo is frozen in carbonite, Bounty Hunter Boba Fett has to transport him across the galaxy to Jabba's palace. The trouble is that Solo has made many enemies, and there's a price on his head.

The story, therefore, ties in between the events of Episode V and Episode VI, with Boba Fett squaring off with a number of other Bounty Hunters, all of which are trying to claim Solo for themselves—after Fett has actually lost the carbonite-encased smuggler, that is.

Publisher

Luke and Tula look lovingly at each other in Star Wars Marvel Comics

Disney and LucasFilm have made a few partnerships in the past when it comes to publishing their comics. Most notably, IDW has stepped up and produced some canon comics set within the Star Wars universe. This project appears to be in-house, though.

That means that all of the comics which are involved with this event are actually published by Marvel. Whether it's a book about chasing down Fett or based around the Bounty Hunter's guild, they will ultimately be available in print and digitally on Comixology and Marvel Unlimited.

Crossover

Star Wars Marvel Comics Leia Ashes of Jedha

The unique thing about this upcoming event is that it isn't simply about Bounty Hunters. The narrative is far more complex than that, and it is the first crossover event of this scale that Marvel and LucasFilm have ever tried to achieve within their comics.

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While there is a shared canon amongst all of Star Wars, and Marvel is known for their events within their comic book titles, something like this has never been attempted throughout Marvel's Star Wars comic books. It, therefore, makes it an exciting time for fans of the franchise.

Titles Involved

Doctor Aphra Comic Preview

There's already a list of titles involved within this event, and readers will surely want to get a hold of all of them to appreciate the full narrative. For starters, a mini-series titled War Of The Bounty Hunters is being published, which will help to portray the main story of the event.

Other ongoing comics including Bounty Hunters, Darth Vader, Doctor Aphra, and the main Star Wars title will also tie into the story, meaning that the majority of Marvel's current books within the Star Wars universe are involved in some capacity.

New Era Of Publishing

Marvel Star Wars comic Luke, Leia, Chewie, Han, C3PO

LucasFilm are significantly shifting their content strategy; their change to LucasGames for their video game division, which might have some Bounty Hunter stories of its own, was a big move in its own right, as was the creation of the High Republic initiative.

Clearly, The War Of The Bounty Hunters is the next stage in that plan and a test to see how effective a crossover narrative like this can be. If successful then audiences shouldn't be too surprised to see other storylines play out in a similar way in the future.

Talent Involved

Star Wars Darth Vader C3PO Head Comic

Considering the range of stories involved with this event, Marvel had to bring in some of their most premium talents. Many of these writers and artists were already working on the established titles and have a great deal of experience within the Star Wars universe.

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Writers working within the event include Charles Soule, Greg Pak, Alyssa Wong, Ethan Sacks, Justina Ireland, and Daniel José Older. In terms of artists, the following are the talents lending their pen: Steve McNiven, Luke Ross, Ramon Rosanas, Luca Pizzari, and Kei Zama.

Characters

Boba Fett and Black Krrsantan in the Darth Vader Star Wars comic.

Due to the nature of the story, a whole range of characters will be involved in the ongoing narrative. For starters, the main tale is based around the Bounty Hunter Boba Fett, one of the most formidable and professional in the whole galaxy.

Han Solo is naturally also involved in the story, as is Darth Vader and Doctor Aphra. A range of other Bounty Hunters are involved, although it wouldn't be fitting to spoil all of them here. However, IG-88 is one such contract killer who will be immersed in the story. Han's friends, Luke, Chewie, R2-D2 and the gang are also on the hunt for the smuggler.

One Shots

A promotional image of Doctor Aphra from Star Wars comics.

There's also a series of one-shots being produced exclusively for this narrative. The majority of them focus on characters who are a part of the event but don't have their own comic book titles traditionally. They will later be collected in a companion book.

The one-shots are War of the Bounty Hunters: Jabba the Hutt, War of the Bounty Hunters: 4-LOM & Zuckuss, War of the Bounty Hunters: Boushh, and War of the Bounty Hunters: IG-88. These of course tease some of the other famous Bounty Hunters that are involved.

The Timeline

Star Wars Comic Yoda To Blame For Sith

While the period of time that this story takes place is clear in terms of where it fits within the film chronology, in terms of the Star Wars universe, there are actually some specific dates that have been attached to this larger event.

The story is being written between 3 ABY and 4 ABY, which, as Star Wars fans will know, is a very significant period of time in franchise canon. Clearly a lot happened between Solo's freezing and the start of the next encounter with the carbonite statute in Jabba's palace based on the big time jump.

Release Dates

Star Wars Comic Vader Tarkin

The event began on May 12th, 2021 with Star Wars issue 13. It will continue to run throughout the year across the various comics and will therefore dominate many of the storylines that Marvel is publishing. The event comes to a conclusion in October of 2021.

The main title and the Bounty Hunters comic look to be the final installments of the comics. These will all be collected as part of larger collections, alongside the previously mentioned companion piece, or will be available on Marvel Unlimited a few months after their initial release.

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