The Boba Bounty

Dog the Bounty Hunter was interviewed last week by MTV during a promotional tour of his new show on CMT, “Dog & Beth: The Hunt.”

For some reason, he was asked to give advice on bounty hunting to Boba Fett – since there are rumors of a feature film spin-off for the Mandalorian.

This question seems out of left field to me. I got the impression he thought Boba Fett is an actual living person, who is being spotlighted in a new reality television show. At the very least - it’s obvious he’s not familiar with Boba Fetts mythos.

Here’s what he said:

“Be sure to know your prey. Be sure to know where he’s from, what he’s about, what his record is. Be sure you don’t go alone, have three or four people with you all the time and, may the Force be with you, because it will be.”

Today it was officially announced Disney already has plans for a number of standalone Star Wars films. Many fans are hoping a Boba Fett film will be among these projects. Here is a continuation of possible storylines for a feature film.

Pitch #3: Years after the happenings of “Return of the Jedi,” the nephew of Jabba, Gorga the Hutt, has inherited much of the crime lord’s criminal empire. He has even expanded the reach of his power. Of course, one does not gain such a fortune without making enemies – other Hutts, who believe they have a greater claim to Jabba’s windfall. One such Hutt hires Boba Fett to assassinate Gorga’s beloved wife, Orko. Filled with rage, Gorga places a bounty on Boba Fett’s head – using his control over local pirates and bounty hunters on his payroll to corner the Mandalorian. Boba Fett must go on the defense as he finds himself as the most profitable target since Han Solo. The bounty is so enticing, Boba finds himself pitted against former partners, the most dangerous being the bounty hunter named, Bossk. This story would journey through the underworld, giving rich looks at the world of the Hutts, the nastiest cantinas and pirate organizations in live action.

Pitch #4: Following the Clone Wars, the planet of Mandalore was virtually crippled. Once the Empire formed, it was further squashed as its warriors were considered a great threat if given opportunity. However, this would change with the arrival of Spar, a clone who had escaped Kamino before the wars and was one of the rare specimens who retained all memories of Jango Fett. He had been working as a bounty hunter for years, but returned to Mandalore to return the planet to its former glory. His success in reforming a Mandalorian army caught the eye of Imperial spies who feel they must end the threat before it grows too large to contain. The Empire hires Boba Fett to journey to Mandalore and infiltrate the new Mandalore Protectors, gain their trust, learn their plans and then kill Spar and anyone else who may pick up arms. Things become complicated, though, for the bounty hunter, who begins to see too much of the father he lost in the man he’s assigned to kill.

Note: This blog entry contains SPOILERS to “Agent of the Empire: Hard Targets” #4

Once again, Dark Horse Comics has delivered an issue with amazing artwork and a rich story. John Ostrander and his team of writers cease to amaze readers how much plot content his can fit in the panels. The art by penciller Davide Fabbri also produces some of the best illustrations being produced in Star Wars titles, today.

Four issues ago we discovered the assassination of Count Dooku was politically motivated, a power play by Rodas Borgin to regain his families interest in the Galactic Empire. Agent Jahan Cross pulled the trigger, disguising himself as the infamous bounty hunter, Boba Fett.

Over the course of the last several issues, Cross has wrestled with his task. While never questioning his allegiance to the Empire, it ruffled the agent’s feathers that Imperial resources were being used to position the House of Borgin toward their liking.

Not only had Borgin pressured the Empire to take out Adan Dooku, but Cross learned he also orchestrated the kidnapping of Adan’s heir, Bron Dooku, who Borgin is now the caregiver of. Even though Cross has been told to leave things along, he can’t allow harm to come to a young boy, so he plans to recruit Candra Tymon to help him in a rescue mission.

This is where we find ourselves in the beginning of “Agent of the Empire: Hard Targets” #4, at a cantina near the Serenno Spaceport. Candra is in the bar, drowning her sorrows at the bottom of a glass. Little does she know the man across from her, Cross, was the assassin in Mandalorian armor she failed to catch, and her former employer, Borgin, was the man responsible for Bron’s abduction – incidents which led to her unemployment as a body guard.

Cross is honest with Tymon, unveiling his part in the recent fallout – however, omitting his part in the assassination, even blatantly lying about it – and manages to sign her on to the rescue plan.

Meanwhile, floating idly in space is Boba Fett, aboard the Slave I, when a hologram transmission is received. A woman who represents the Count of Serenno offers Fett a job.  We learn the bounty hunter was questioned following the assassination of Count Dooku, but an alibi freed him from being a primary suspect. Therefore, he is in the clear for accepting a job on Serenno.

Side note: Boba Fett warns he will soon learn who the imposter was and settle the score. Obviously, he does not know it was Cross – leaving questions floating over their confrontation at the start of the story arc. Since that encounter was noted to happen a few weeks after the assassination, we can only conclude that confrontation occurs sometime after this issue and upcoming events.

Cross learns Bron’s whereabouts via his father, Ambassador Davim Cross, and concocts a plan. Cross and Tymon sneak into Otoh Dooku, the families undersea retreat in the Belsallian Sea, where Bron is being held captive until the Imperial Navy arrives.

They succeed in rescuing Bron, escaping the hot pursuit of Borgin’s men. They rendezvous at the docks and ready the next stage in their plan – until they are interrupted by an unannounced visitor, Boba Fett.

The stage is set for disaster, as Cross has placed himself, whether by design or accident, against the man backed by his superiors. The Empire may question where Cross’ loyalties lay, or even consider him a traitor for acting on his own assignment.

“Agent of the Empire: Hard Targets” #5 will be released Feb. 27.

Electronic helmets have become quite a rage. Just stroll through any toy aisle and you’ll see a number of them lining the shelves – however, I’ve had a hard time locating a Boba Fett helmet.

Finding this Mandalorian battle helmet seems to be as difficult as finding one in the actual Star Wars Universe. We lucked out on Black Friday, though. Not only did I stumble across Boba Fett’s helmet, but the box was in such poor shape, I managed to scavenge it for less than $20.

The helmet is marketed toward children, but can easily fit an adult’s head. Adjustable straps are snapped inside the helmet, which keeps the gear firmly on your head. These are very necessary, too. Without using the straps, the helmet is too wobbly due to its oversized modeling.

The range finder is movable and blinks red when engaged. The helmet also plays a number of phrases and sound effects, none of which come from the film, but that doesn’t bother me that much – we are all familiar with Boba’s half dozen quotes from the films – and those grow tired if that’s all you hear with every piece of Boba Fett merchandise.

This item is ideal for role playing, whether child or adult. It also makes a great center piece for your shelf or Boba Fett display. The helmet is also quite durable for its price tag.

One thing bothers me though – the packaging refers to the range finder as an antennae. While there is antenna on that same piece, the adjustable arm is his range finder – a device that measures distance, etc. Why would a bounty hunter need to stick an antenna in front of his face?

This bothers me, because it handicaps how a kid might use the helmet to role play and stretch his imagination.