In a War of the Bounty Hunters tie-in issue with the subtitle “Found,” we learn the secret origin of Leia’s “Boushh” identity from the original trilogy classic. There are plenty of spoilers, so scroll down to the verdict and the Rapid Rundown, featuring X, Y, and maybe even Z!

If you want something less spoiler-y, check out the Rapid Rundown. And be sure and let The Beat know what you thought of this week’s issues in the comment section, or over on social media @comicsbeat!


Written by Alyssa Wong
Illustrated by David Baldeón
Colors by Israel Silva
Letters by Ariana Maher
Cover by Mahmud Asrar & Matthew Wilson

It’s a sequence that’s probably coded in your DNA if you’re bothering to read this review: in the opening scenes of Star Wars: Episode VI – The Return of the Jedi, a bounty hunter calling themselves Boushh arrives at Jabba’s Palace with a high-ticket quarry: the notorious wookie warrior Chewbacca! But viewers soon discover that under Boushh’s identity-concealing helmet is Carrie Fisher’s Princess Leia, arriving alongside Chewie to rescue the carbonite-frozen Han Solo – the subject of the ongoing War of the Bounty Hunters crossover event.

In War of the Bounty Hunters: Boushh #1, we’re introduced to the bounty hunter whose identity was appropriated by Leia in the opening scenes of the classic 1983 (or notorious 1997) Star Wars movie. The original Boushh is an interesting character that has a whole crew to back him up.

Like the Knights of Ren, the outfit Boushh runs with seemingly knows the value of aesthetic considerations: visually, their costumes are visually similar to one another, save for the differentiation by Silva’s colors. But this Power Rangers style conceit only becomes more interesting when we learn that their sartorial choices are actually a shameful mark they wear in their collective exile from their homeworld of Uba IV.

(However, do note that, unlike Din Djarin, this group has no issue with removing their helmets around one another during meals… although the panel limits the view of the reader so as to keep their visages obscured.)

Then there’s their ship, the Landing II. Rendered perfectly by Baldeón, this craft is one of the most interesting-looking ships in recent Star Wars memory thanks to the fact that it sports an unusual and distinctive design: it matches the helmets worn by each of the Ubese exiles. And Maher’s lettering (predictably) offers an effortless reading experience.

Boushh #1 folds into the ongoing War of the Bounty Hunters narrative nicely thanks to its close connection to the subplot involving the Tagge Corporation that is unfolding in Doctor Aphra’s tie-in issues, which are also each written by Wong.

As far as the issues role within the larger War of the Bounty Hunters narrative, it’s hard to rate as this junction: it seems pretty clear that this is Boushh’s introductory overture, and the role the character will play in the event (not to mention just how that distinctive helmet winds up in the hands of the Rebellion) remains to be seen.

If you have not been following the event narrative, some of the plot elements in this issue will lack context. However, the core “origin” of Boushh that is revealed only requires that you have seen Jedi in order to be effective.

If you aren’t following War of the Bounty Hunters at all, you might consider passing on this issue – unless you’re exceptionally invested in the secret identity of Jedi’s Boushh. However, if have been following the event, this issue – along with 4-Lom & Zuckuss #1 – have both been completely wizard one-shot tie-ins.

VERDICT: STRONG BROWSE.


Rapid Rundown!

  • The Last Annihilation: Wakanda #1
    • Dormammu is using Ego the Living Planet as his personal Death Star in concert with his army of Mindless Ones, attacking strategic planets throughout the galaxy. Desperate for help, S.W.O.R.D. Agent Brand reaches out to the Wakandan Empire for help defending the Shi’ar Empire. Getting help is a political hot potato as the Shi’ar and Wakandan Empires have a fragile peace in place but the Black Panther chooses a team of agents to help hold the line until a strategy can be conceived for beating Dormammu’s forces. In the middle of an event that really hasn’t been talked about, Evan Narcisse and Germán Peralta have found a way to grab the baton of Ta-Nehisi Coates’ The Intergalactic Empire Of Wakanda storyline and keep the momentum going, showcasing the re-invented M’Baku, while still adding to the event and its story. Fast-paced, full of political intrigue, action, and character this one-shot is a solid read. — GC3

Next week: Reptil’s 5th (and final?) issue arrives; plus Ari Agbayani arrives in The United States of Captain America #4!