Clearly we all underestimated the upcoming War of the Bounty Hunters crossover, as the June 2021 Star Wars comics solicitations reveal it not only has the prelude issues in May, but it’ll have both the miniseries and tie-in issues going forward, through October! And here I was originally assuming this would lead into a Shadows of the Empire-type event, but it seems this is that big event itself! So read on below to learn about Chewbacca battling Valance (expect limbs to be lost!), Vader and Ochi going up against IG-88 (is there enough ‘man’ left in Vader to defeat this machine?), and Doctor Aphra and Sana Starros come face to face with….DURGE?! Yes, that Durge! Also coming in June, Pride Variant covers, which is a nice touch though I wish they could’ve offered more, like a full issue of Pride-related Star Wars tales…but I’ll take this for now!
MARVEL
The High Republic #6 (on sale 6/30)
Cavan Scott (Writer), Georges Jeanty (Artist)
Cover by Phil Noto | Variant Cover by Peach Momoko | Pride Variant Cover by Javier Garron
HEART OF THE DRENGIR!
- The REPUBLIC FRONTIER in crisis! The JEDI of STARLIGHT BEACON join forces with their most feared enemy to face the terror of the unstoppable DRENGIR horde.
- AVAR KRISS and her new allies fight nightmarish creatures on a harsh lava world. Can young Jedi KEEVE TRENNIS save her former master from the darkness?
- And, who or what is the GREAT PROGENITOR?!
The official site has begun releasing parts of the solicits a few days earlier than their “official” release, so part of me is curious if the full release will have different writing, as this solicit is the same as issue #5’s. I imagine we don’t have new copy due to a spoiler, so they’re avoiding it by reusing the same content, which I’m totally fine with. In fact, the two stunning, gorgeous covers are more than enough to tide me over until we learn more because Peach Momoko’s Keeve Trennis is art on a wall worthy, but so too is the awe-inspiring Phil Noto cover of AVAR KRISS ON A RANCOR. A Jedi on a Rancor. And it’s Avar Kriss. Wow; That’s all we need to know about this issue anyways. But now that the official site has given us the correct solicit, it looks like the Drengir are only beginning to spread and even the Nihil will help the Jedi to confront them, while Kriss gets to ride a rancor on a lava world…can’t wait to see the visuals on that. Otherwise, I am looking forward to whatever this Great Progenitor happens to be and what it means for the rest of the era. Cavan Scott’s The Rising Storm, the second adult novel for Phase 1 of The High Republic, will be out a DAY before this issue (hence why it’s at the end of the month and not at the beginning, like the last few issues) so we might learn more or be introduced to this Progenitor there as well.
War of the Bounty Hunters #1 (On Sale 6/2)
Charles Soule (Writer), Luke Ross (Artist), Rachelle Rosenberg (Colorist)
Cover by Steve McNiven | Variant Cover by Leinil Francis Yu | Variant Cover by Pepe Larraz | Variant Cover by Sara Pichelli | Wraparound Variant Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli | Pride Variant by Babs Tarr | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher | Trading Card Variant by John Cassady
AT WAR FOR THE GREATEST PRIZE OF ALL: HAN SOLO!
THE HUNT BEGINS!
- Nobody. Steals. From BOBA FETT! The notorious bounty hunter will not stop until he gets what’s rightfully his. For the thief, no corner of the galaxy is safe. Good thing for them that the REBEL ALLIANCE, THE EMPIRE and every bounty hunter in the galaxy is standing in Boba’s way.
- With a last-page reveal that will blow this Death Star–sized story wide open, Issue #1 is just the beginning. The biggest crossover in STAR WARS history will continue raging through the pages of the WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS event miniseries and tie-in to STAR WARS, DOCTOR APHRA, DARTH VADER and BOUNTY HUNTERS through October.
- Only one hunter will be left standing, and the STAR WARS galaxy will never be the same!
As I said above, myself and many others totally underestimated the scope of this crossover! In May, it has an “Alpha” issue, then the other series have tie-in “Prelude” issues, and now in June not only does the miniseries begin, but tie-in issues continue across the other series! This really is the next big comic story and far bigger than any previous crossover we’ve had in the past, so I’m hoping they can pull this large, interconnected story off! This solicit mentions a “thief” steals the frozen Han Solo from Boba Fett and I appreciate how they keep their identity under-wraps to preserve the surprise; I’m looking forward to learning who it is and how they did it!
You can see the Wraparound Variant cover to the right and wow does that look very cool! It’s a great way to incorporate everyone who is being mixed up in the events of the crossover.
I’ve arraigned the solicits for this crossover according to release date, as I assume that denotes story progression, so it begins with the first issue of the miniseries and spills into Bounty Hunters #13 next, and so on:
Bounty Hunters #13 (on sale 6/9)
Ethan Sacks (Writer), Paolo Villanelli (Artist), Arif Prianto (Colorist)
Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli | Pride Variant Cover by Jacopo Camagni | Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse
THE WOOKIEE ALWAYS WINS!
- Hot on the trail of BOBA FETT, VALANCE and DENGAR run into a rather large obstacle—the mighty CHEWBACCA!
- Will T’ONGA escape the trap set by a mysterious organization out to upend the underworld?
- And who is the figure in the shadows hunting them all?!
This solicit isn’t lying: the Wookiee does always win! And with Valance mostly cybernetic, I assume we’ll get some classic limb-pulling as only Chewie loves, but I bet they’ll all make peace once this “figure in the shadows” makes themselves known; remember this “shadow” as the solicits below will mention them again. As for T’onga, it’s awesome to see her name mentioned, as she was at the center of the still controversial shock introduction of Boba Fett (I haven’t read the series since) and having her back in small, but important step in the right direction.
Star Wars #14 (on sale 6/16)
Charles Soule (Writer), Ramon Rosanas (Artist), Rachelle Rosenberg (Colorist)
Cover by Carlo Pagulayan | Pride Variant Cover by Stephen Byrne | Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse | Variant Cover by Javier Rodríguez | Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher
WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS TIE-IN!
- The REBELS finally have a lead on the location of HAN SOLO!
- It’s time to save the captain of the MILLENNIUM FALCON from his frozen carbonite tomb!
- A general, a Jedi, and a Wookiee will mount a desperate rescue mission… But they have no idea what actually awaits them.
As I said above, the Wookiee does win because it looks like Lando, Luke, and Chewie are together on this rescue mission! As for this warning about what will await them, I bet this is a reference to the “shadow” once again.
Darth Vader #13 (on sale 6/23)
Greg Pak (Writer), Raffaele Ienco(Artist)
Cover by Aaron Kuder | Pride Variant Cover by J.J. Kirby | Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse
DARK LORD VS. DARK DROID!
- DARTH VADER and OCHI OF BESTOON embark upon a search for the carbonite-frozen body of HAN SOLO.
- Get ready for intrigue, betrayal and action in the heart of HUTT SPACE with the explosive reappearance of EVERYONE’S FAVORITE ASSASSIN DROID, IG-88!
- …And a shocking cliffhanger brings the shadows to life!
I’m all for Ochi sticking around with Vader as long as he doesn’t say “of Bestoon” much more, though I’m more concerned regarding why Vader is on the hunt for the Solo popsicle too. A battle with IG-88 should be entertaining, as the wily droid has many tricks up his metal limbs. And this issue’s cliffhanger looks to bring this “shadow,” mentioned in the previous solicits, into the light and I hope it’ll be worth the wait! I’m betting on…Prince Xizor! Or well, someone associated with Black Sun, maybe working for him;
Doctor Aphra #11 (on sale 6/30)
Alyssa Wong (Writer), Minkyu Jung (Artist), Rachelle Rosenberg (Colorist)
Cover by Sara Pichelli | Pride Variant Cover by Jan Bazaldua | Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary Variant Cover by Chris Sprouse
MYSTERIES ABOUND ABOARD A DURGE-ANGED SHIP!
- DOCTOR APHRA and SANA STARROS discover an eerie abandoned ship while on a new mission from DOMINA TAGGE.
- But on board they will come face-to-face with a nightmarish horror not seen in the galaxy for untold eons.
- And then there’s….THE FEARSOME BOUNTY HUNTER DURGE!
Knowing the tenuous partnership between Aphra and Sana continues makes my heart expotentionally happy, though it increases my worries on when it’ll break apart again. My concerns take a break this issue because it sounds like they’ll be facing off against an eons old threat, which I’m always down for when it comes to Aphra, and then also…DURGE?!!?! That’s probably why you’re here reading this anyways: Durge is now canon!! The timing on the announcement the Tartakovsky Clone Wars show is coming to Disney+ in April makes a lot more sense now! This is such an awesome development and of all the people to have to face him, how about chaos incarnate herself, someone who will likely laugh at his abilities and any fear-inducing stories about him and find an absurdly clever way to evade him? Aphra vs Durge. What is 2021 for Star Wars canon even?! I am so here for it.
I do feel like Aphra’s issue should have more than one Pride Variant, but like I said earlier, I’ll take what we can get for now!
Also, big congrats to Rachelle Rosenberg, as she’s the colorist on three of the above issues! Glad she’s been trusted with more and more work!!
IDW
The High Republic Adventures #5 (on sale 6/2)
Daniel José Older (Writer), Harvey Tolibao (Artist/Cover Artist)
Variant Cover by Yael Nathan
The Nihil have launched an attack on Burundang. The Republic sends Yoda and his Padawan learners, along with other Republic and Jedi ships, to try to stop them from escaping. Zeen and Lula pursue Krix, hoping for a final confrontation between the two friends.
Writer Daniel José Older, New York Times bestselling author of Star Wars: Last Shot, and artist Harvey Tolibao bring IDW into The High Republic, a massive crossover spanning comics and prose!
This already turning out to be as rewarding of a series, with some truly wonderful art, as Marvel’s The High Republic and I’m really intrigued to see what Older has up his sleeves for these young Padawans, Yoda, and yes, Buckets of Blood! Especially since it looks like Zeen and Krix might finally have a confrontation after being pulled apart, one to the Jedi because of her abilities and another to the Nihil because the other’s abilities have upending their friendship. Also, I’ll be curious to learn when this takes place compared to the THR novel coming out in June.
Star Wars Adventures #10 {Vol. 2} (on sale 8/18)
Michael Moreci, Dave Scheidt (Writers), Stefano Simeone, Mike Oeming (Artists)
Cover A by Francesco Francavilla | Cover B by Stefano Simeone
Mace Windu and his Lightning Squadron land on the planet Ridlay, which has gone mysteriously dark, expecting a Separatist attack. But what they find instead is a surprise to them all. Then, Zak and Tash Arranda sneak off to investigate a creepy cave, where they find a strange artifact—and a mysterious cult waiting for them!
In May’s solicits, I said how I was growing a bit tired of all these Clone Wars-era stories, though this one sounds like it at least wants to do something different than clones defeat Separatists; I am eager to learn what surprise on Ridlay (Daisy Ridley, anyone?) awaits them! As for this Zak and Tash Arranda? Turns out they were in the Legends series Galaxy of Fear, basically designed to be Star Wars‘ take on R.L. Stin’s Goosebump series. I never read those but it sounds like it would’ve been fun as a kid and it’s such a cool, surprising Legends pull.
(Yes, that does say for August 18, as IDW was on top of it’s releases but has since run into problems again, so consider this one advanced solicited)
Star Wars Adventures: The Weapon of a Jedi #2 (on sale 6/30)
Alec Worley (Writer), Ruairí Coleman (Artist), Chris O’Halloran (Colors)
Cover by Ruairí Coleman
The Rebel Alliance has destroyed the Empire’s dreaded Death Star, but the Imperial starfleet continues hunting the rebels throughout the galaxy. Luke Skywalker now seeks to support the Rebellion as an X-wing fighter. But as he flies with the pilots of the Red Squadron, Luke feels stirrings of the Force. And this farm boy turned fighter pilot begins to suspect that his destiny lies along a different path.
This ends the adaptation of Jason Fry’s 2015 The Weapon of a Jedi book, who wrote an excellent Luke and I hope he’s written about the same in any upcoming content once we start to explore his post-Return of the Jedi journeys more.
2021 Comic Solicitations: January | February | March | April | May
Ryan is Mynock Manor’s Head Butler. You can follow him on Twitter @BrushYourTeeth. You can follow the website on Twitter @MynockManor and Instagram @mynockmanor.