Don't Judge A Comic By Its Art
Review by Chad Clark 

Boba Fett: Enemy of the Empire Issues 1 and 2 (of 4) 
published by Dark Horse Comics 

Now this is a terrific book. Darth Vader fans will like it. Boba Fett fans will love it. And the best thing of all is that it's for all ages. It's amazing. At first glance, you would assume this book to be aimed at kids. That's because the art comes across as being rather simplistic or "childish". But once you begin to read it, you'll realize you were wrong. As simplistic as it appears, the artwork is really rather detailed in its "cartoon-y" style, distancing itself from the style in which most Star Wars comics are done. The art resembles "Droids" more than "Dark Empire" but the story is more like "Mara Jade" than (ugh) "The Jabba Tape".

Most readers will have an initial reluctance due to the art, but once they get more than 4 pages in, they'll begin to notice the subtle intricacies they first overlooked. The layout and transitions from panel to panel are beautiful in the way they tell this exciting and intriguing tale. The comic is very cinematic in scope, and the characters are very unique and intricately detailed. This is a comic parents will enjoy reading aloud as much as their children will love listening.

The tale is one of Darth Vader and Boba Fett, and takes place prior to "A New Hope". Vader has hired Boba Fett to find an Imperial deserter, a colonel who killed his superior officer and four bodyguards, absconding with a mysterious casket (and what a surprise when it's opened at the end of issue #2). Not trusting the bounty hunter, Vader then sends a bumbling assassin unit after Fett. They provide the series with a lot of its humor, well... they and a mysterious religious order called the "Brothers of the Ancient Order of Pessimists". Don't ask, just read.

The first issue unveils the plot, introduces the characters, and sends Boba Fett off to uncover the events that transpired to begin this tale. Mysteries and money lie behind every corner and the campaign to wipe out a savage tribe called the "Icari" seems to be at the heart of it. Adding to the confusion is the AWOL colonel trying to hide from Boba Fett among the oddball monks. Issue Two starts to unravel the mystery of the casket and Fett confronts Vader's assassin unit tailing him. Add to that the monks attempt to hide someone hiding from Boba Fett and you get a series filled with suspense and action.

Providing some beautiful covers is Ken Kelly. Boba Fett never looked so good and the cover to issue #1 is suitable for framing. Let's hope they turn that one into a limited edition print. Fans of the Dark Lord of the Sith and the galaxy's most feared bounty hunter will go nuts.

I can't recommend this series enough. Between the "Mara Jade" limited series and this one, maybe we are seeing an upswing in the quality of stories being put out by Dark Horse. Grab this one up quick, it won't be on the shelves long... or you could always wait another 6-12 months for the trade paperback. Either way: buy it, read it, and tell all your friends about it.

(Chad Clark is one of those annoying struggling actors in Hollywood. His entire life is dominated by the entertainment industry as he gorges on films, television, novels and comic books. He also wonders if anyone actually reads his reviews and encourages personal responses to him at chad@echostation.com)

Return to Index