Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #25
“RAID ON THE VERMILLION, PART TWO”
T’onga and her team of bounty hunters have gambled everything on a stealthy raid on the ”Vermillion”, the criminal syndicate Crimson Dawn’s flagship, in an effort to rescue the girl known as Cadeliah.
But unbeknownst to the crew, they have fallen into a trap sprung by the diabolical Dengar, one that has put them on a collision course with the Knights of Ren!
And while the team is distracted on their mission, a vengeful Vukorah is ready to strike!
Writer:Â Ethan Sacks
Artist: Paolo Villanelli
Letterer:Â Travis Lanham
Colorist: Arif Prianto
Cover artist:Giuseppe Camuncoli
Editor:Â Mark Paniccia
Publication date: July 13 2022
Our Bounty Hunter crew are aboard the Crimson Dawn flagship, The Vermillion, to locate and rescue the crime syndicate heir Cadeliah when their progress is stalled when they run into the Knights of Ren. Losha meanwhile is back on the Edgehawk as vicious prisoner Vukorah, now freed by Dengar, moves to enact revenge on her captors.
Ethan Sacks delivers another stellar and action packed issue that’s like nothing else in the Star Wars universe. It’s essentially one long fight scene where you feel the high stakes because of the wonderful character work done in this series since the start of Crimson Reign. The action is fluid and exciting and it avoids the failings of so many comics in that you can absolutely tell what’s happening in every panel. It’s a remarkable feat in such a ferocious issue, and an absolute testament to Villanelli’s vibrant art.
The dialogue is sharp and the banter between our crew and the Knights of Ren is whip smart and, at times, hilarious. I frequently found myself laughing at one panel and then gasping at the next. I’ve really started to genuinely care about these characters and T’Onga’s mission. She’s a leader it’s easy to root for as she’s quite obviously caring and kind of heart, but also an absolute badass. Unlike a lot of Star Wars series‘ there’s genuine stakes as these are mostly original characters that have no ties to the movies and consequently could be killed off at any given moment. Even classic bounty hunters like Bossk and Zuckuss (correct me if I’m wrong) don’t have any canon stories past this point so definitely aren’t safe either. It gives this series a certain dangerous edge that the others just don’t have.
We don’t get any additional insight into the Knights of Ren, but there’s an interesting moment where the usually unshakeable Bossk displays genuine fear when he learns the identity of his new adversaries. It’s in keeping with Vader’s almost reverence of the group in Crimson Reign #4. Again allow me to appeal to the Disney gods and request their inclusion and origins in The High Republic. The fight between the two groups is brutal and almost evenly matched, with the slight edge going to the Knights. The highlight being Tasu Leech self consciously reflecting on his physique compared to Ren as they go head to head. After being side-lined for a few issues, it’s good to see Leech have his moment, even if it doesn’t quite go how he’d like.
On the Edgehawk we catch back up with the benched and sullen Losha whose day becomes a little more exciting when she is stalked by the murderous, and now liberated, Lady Vukorah. Am I the only person terrified by Vukorah? She’s the most blood thirsty loose canon in Star Wars, and that’s saying a lot! Armed only with a knife that looks like it’s freshly fallen from the overalls of Michael Myers, she slowly hunts the mohawked wife of T’Onga through the ship with only murder in her heart. If you read my review for issue 24 I spoke about how all the signs were pointing to Losha’s imminent demise and whilst I won’t reveal what happens at the end of the issue (it’s a corker!) I can’t help but think I’m right. It would add a little more frenzy and heartbreak to the remaining issues for sure.
The end sets us up nicely for the next issue on a bit of a double cliff-hanger so I’m looking forward to seeing where we end up. its all to play for and honestly? I hope T’Onga wins and manages to rescue Cadeliah. What an issue, and I haven’t even gone into the Valance subplot that’s obviously building to something big!
Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #26 (Sprouse Choose Your Destiny Variant) @ ForbiddenPlanet.com
