Star Wars Bounty Hunters #14: Wanna Buy Some Deathsticks?

“The War of the Bounty Hunters” rolls on, and things are really heating up. Dengar and Valance have teamed up to go after Han Solo, but for totally different reasons. Author Ethan Sacks continues to explore the seedier side of the Star Wars galaxy by introducing some new characters over the last few issues and I’ve gotta say, they fit into the SWG like a blaster in a holster. This issue is wall-to-wall action and you actually have to stop and think-none of these characters are actual heroes. It’s bad vs. bad vs. terrible vs REALLY bad. One of the things I enjoyed about this issue is that Sacks embraces some of the characters created in books and other media and puts his own unique spin on them so that they’re reimagined for this continuity and all things moving forward. 

Adding to the good time is Paolo Villanelli and his art. For my money, he’s one of the most talented artists to draw a Star Wars book in a long time. This issue his talent is undeniable as he draws aliens, creatures, architecture, ships, weapons, etc., all in a style that embraces Star Wars and all that’s in it. Not only that, but he’s created a “world” separate from the other Star Wars comics, and when you look at these pages, you KNOW you’re in the Bounty Hunters section of this endless Galaxy. A group of characters is introduced in this issue that I really loved, their designs are classic and fresh at the same time. Villanelli has a style that makes you look at something and immediately hope that someone in Lucasfilm sees it and it appears in an upcoming TV show or movie. Truly outstanding work.