Bounty Hunters 16 is the sixteenth issue of the canon comic book series Star Wars: Bounty Hunters, and is part of the Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters crossover event. It was written by Ethan Sacks, illustrated by Paolo Villanelli and Arif Prianto, and published by Marvel Comics on September 22, 2021.
Publisher's summary[]
"SHADOW SOLDIERS" VALANCE and DENGAR make a last stand against DEATHSTICK! T'ONGA seeks help from a LEGENDARY BOUNTY HUNTER! The bounty hunters converge on a high-stakes auction as CRIMSON DAWN'S plans come into focus!
Opening crawl[]
| WAR OF THE BOUNTY HUNTERS: "SHADOW SOLDIERS" |
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Plot summary[]
Final transmissions[]
Aboard the Punishing One, Beilert Valance records a message for Kondra over an old smuggler frequency. Believing he may be entering his final mission, Valance expresses his determination to rescue Han Solo from Crimson Dawn or die in the attempt. He notes that his cybernetic heart, one of his last human components, is rapidly deteriorating. Valance asks Kondra to look after Cadeliah and provide a message to Yura before ultimately deciding to keep the transmission for a later time.
Meanwhile, at a temporary Rebel cell base, Kondra and Yura watch over Cadeliah. Although they detect a brief signal on the smuggler frequency, they dismiss it as an error. Back on the ship, Dengar interrupts Valance’s recording, notifying him that they have nearly reached the location of the Crimson Dawn auction for Han Solo. Valance remains fixated on rescuing Solo, while Dengar reminds him of their deal to take down Boba Fett, who Dengar believes will inevitably show up because he refuses to lose.
The search for the heir[]
Aboard the Edgehawk in the Outer Rim, T'onga and Losha Tarkon monitor Zuckuss as he uses his findsman abilities to track Valance. T'onga explains to Tasu Leech that Valance is their only link to Cadeliah, the heir to both the Unbroken Clan and the Mourner's Wail syndicates. Zuckuss reveals he has located Dengar - and by extension, Valance - at the ice planet Jekara. He admits this was not through "Gand magic" but rather a tracker he had previously hidden on Dengar’s ship. T'onga orders a course change to intercept them.
Ambush on Jekara[]
Valance and Dengar land on the frozen surface of Jekara, though far from the Crimson Dawn flagship, the Vermillion, to avoid detection. As they traverse the ice, Dengar complains about the extreme cold. They soon spot a large contingent of Crimson Dawn guards. To clear the path without sounding an alarm, Valance uses his cybernetic strength to topple a massive ice spire, crushing most of the guards instantly. The duo cleans up the remaining survivors, with Dengar attempting to bond over their teamwork, a gesture Valance quickly rebuffs.
The bounty hunters soon discover that the Galactic Empire has also arrived on the planet. Valance decides to wait for Boba Fett to make his move rather than charging in blindly. Shortly after, Valance spots an Imperial party moving cargo and, on a nearby ridge, Boba Fett.
Betrayal and the Zugorak[]
Dengar moves to intercept Boba Fett, but Fett is prepared, warning Dengar about the dangers of getting between a man and his target. While this confrontation unfolds, the narrative shifts briefly to the Vermillion, where the Crimson Dawn subordinates Margo and Vukorah observe that most guests have fled following the arrival of Darth Vader.
Back on the ice, Fett manages to gain the upper hand. Valance refuses to help Dengar, stating that Dengar is not his friend and that his only goal is rescuing Han Solo. Fett reveals that Valance is too late to rescue Solo and finds the situation humorous. Suddenly, the ground gives way as a massive Zugorak - a multi-tentacled ice beast - emerges from the frozen depths. Valance is forced to retreat as the beast attacks, while Dengar is left behind.
Connections and a new lead[]
T'onga's crew arrives on the surface and finds a wounded Bossk, who had been incapacitated earlier. Despite Tasu Leech’s suggestion to leave him or kill him, T'onga insists on bringing Bossk to their medical bay, noting their past history in Nakano Lash's crew. In a semi-conscious state, Bossk rants about flaying Boba Fett and Valance. T'onga is stunned to hear Valance's name, confirming they are in the right place.
In the aftermath of the beast's appearance, Dengar manages to survive. He meets with a Crimson Dawn contact to fulfill a promise made back on Canto Bight. Dengar provides a data drive containing the transmission Valance sent earlier. He explains that Crimson Dawn can use the old smuggler's code in the recording to trace the location of the Rebel base where Cadeliah is being hidden. Dengar is paid enough to clear his partner's debts to Jabba the Hutt, while Crimson Dawn prepares for a final victory.
Media[]
Cover gallery[]
Collected in[]
- Star Wars: Bounty Hunters Vol. 3 — War of the Bounty Hunters
- Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters Omnibus
Appearances[]
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
Characters
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Organisms
Events
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Locations
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Organizations and titles
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Sentient species
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Vehicles and vessels
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Weapons and technology
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Miscellanea
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Sources[]
- War of the Bounty Hunters Alpha 1
The Fight for Han Solo Heats Up in Marvel's September 2021 Star Wars Comics – Exclusive on StarWars.com (backup link)- Beilert Valance Faces His Destiny in Marvel's Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #16 - Exclusive Preview on StarWars.com (backup link)
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 205
- Bounty Hunters 42
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Star Wars: Bounty Hunters (2020) #16 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: Timelines dates the events of Bounty Hunters 16 to 3 ABY.
External links[]
- Star Wars: Bounty Hunters (2020) #16 on Marvel Comics' official website (backup link)
- Bounty Hunters 16 on the Aurebesh Wiki
