In Review: Star Wars: Bounty Hunters (2020-) #9

Synopsis: This month on Bounty Hunters. Trapped on a REBEL transport under attack by pirates, VALANCE must make a desperate gambit to survive. But little does the cyborg bounty hunter know he’s on a collision course with his old rival, DENGAR! Plus, a familiar face makes a shocking return with a plan that will change the underworld forever.

The Story

With bounty hunters still hunting him. Valance has accepted a mission to rescue some rebels but finds that they are not wanting to be rescued. First off, he gets into a bit of a ding dong with Rebel Commander Hill Purpura who doesn’t truth Valance’s intentions and sends him to the brig. Meanwhile, on the Pirate vessel, Denger tells Skragg that he recognizes Valance and can best him. Skragg isn’t entirely trusting of Denger, but reluctantly gives him some rope.

On the planet Ruusan. Losha Tarkon. The wife of former Bounty Hunter Nakano Lash has landed and learned that Lash just about survived the battle, which Valance helped her fight. I have no doubt we’ll learn the implications of this in future issues.

So, back in outer space. Valance having sweet-talked a foxy Engineer Chick has managed to secure an X-Wing. His own ship is badly damaged due to a forced landing. In order to try and help the Rebels. Valance takes on a bunch of the pirate ships and hyperspaces out of the sector. Or does he? I guess we’ll have to wait and see in the next issue.

The Artwork

Paolo Villanelli’s art continues to be a real high point of this book. As he continues to draw dramatic battles and space dog fights that really immerse you in the book’s world. He also gets to draw a rather younger-looking Han Solo during a flashback sequence where Han along with some other Imperial Cadets goes against orders to help Valance. Hopefully, we’ll see Han again but in the present day in terms of this story.

The high point of this issue for me is when Valance flys the X-Wing. The observant fans will notice that the Fighter has the blue sash on it as opposed to the red. Which makes it look more like a sequel era X-Wing. But other than that. It’s an awesome visual that had me whooping for Valance to open a can of kickass.

Overall

A fantastic issue that left me wanting more.

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