In a few short months from now, Star Wars: Episode II -- Attack of the Clones will arrive in theaters and end the widespread (and sometimes wildly off-target) speculation that has kept the on-line Star Wars message boards and news groups buzzing with activity since the release of The Phantom Menace. Still, there are a few tidbits that have been revealed. As reported in Star Wars Insider and other news sources, the film introduces a young Boba Fett, as well as his father Jango.
Despite the fact that Boba Fett made only brief appearances in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi, he became oneof the most compelling and popular characters in the Star Wars canon. With his much more extensive involvement in the storyline, it's only a matter of time before the elder Fett assumes his own place in the pantheon.
Face it, we like men (or women!) of action; characters willing to dare things that we would not, and to give as good as they get. And while both Fetts are clearly anti-heroes -- placing themselves as obstacles squarely in the paths of the forces of good -- they follow their own peculiar sense of ethics and honor rather than a desire to see evil triumph. That events in their pasts have led them to align themselves with the bad guys is tragic, but that tragedy is part of what fuels our admiration for them. See the movie and you'll see what I mean.
While you're waiting for the film, Dark Horse has a number of Jango-related projects currently in the works. The first, which should be on the stands while this column is still fresh, is a graphic novel-length story titled simply Star Wars: Jango Fett. By Ron Marz (Vader vs. Maul) and Tom Fowler, this story throws Jango into the middle of a dangerous double-cross and the search for a legendary alien artifact that could score a tidy pile of credits for the galaxy's most feared bounty hunter. Of course, to accomplish his goal, Jango will have to cross paths with a woman from his past -- the beautiful, but deadly, Zam Wesell.
Did I mention that Zam is also introduced in the upcoming film? Well, she is. And it's a good thing, too, because hot on the heels of Star Wars: Jango Fett is another graphic novel-length one-shot: Star Wars: Zam Wesell.
That story, also written by Ron Marz, features the art of Ted Naifeh, and reveals what happens when Zam and Jango discover the real purpose of the alien artifact -- and face an army of their fellow bounty hunters. Both stories are linked by continuing plot threads, but either can be read and enjoyed alone.
Then, even as Dark Horse's official comics adaptation of Attack of the Clones is hitting the stands, you'll find Star Wars: Jango Fett -- Open Seasons. Written by LucasArts' own Haden Blackman (Starfighter -- Crossbones) and illustrated by Ramon Bachs (Jedi vs. Sith), this four-issue series delivers the goods on Jango's origins and how he came to possess the famous Mandalorian armor.
All-in-all, enough Star Wars action to keep you stoked until you can see Attack of the Clones for yourself!
Randy Stradley