Boba Fett: Agent of Doom Story: John Ostrander Art: Cam Kennedy Coloring: Chris Blythe Lettering: Steve Dutro Cover: Francisco Ruiz Velasco Released: 11/08/2000 Reviewed by: JF Boivin (12/27/2006) SUMMARY: Slique Brighteyes, a the last survivor of the Gulmarid species, wants revenge on the commanders of the Imperial ship Azgoghk, namely Admiral Mir Tork and Doctor Leonis Murth?, for capturing members of the species and make them suffer until their extinction. He hires Boba Fett for the job, not only for justice and the small fee offered, but so the bounty hunter can prove that he still the best. the Emperor is dead, but Tork and Murth? are at it again, finding species to exterminate, and Fett catches up with them on Malicar 3.

[final cover] [preview cover]

THE STORY

This story takes place some time after the Battle of Endor, but not too long after since there is a mention of Boba Fett's reputation being down after his fall into the Sarlacc. Not many people know he is still alive, and there is still a significant Imperial remnant in the galaxy. It's kind of odd that Fett would take on this job, more helping the New Republic than helping any species that Admiral Tork might lay his hands on. It is surprising mostly because all that is offered is 100 credits, and a chance to prove that he is Boba Fett. But of course, he does the job and makes short work of the Imperial madmen.

The previous one-shots, as well as the Boba Fett: Enemy of the Empire series, were written by John Wagner. As talended as he is, I don't think Ostrander has such a strong handle on Fett's character. The way he speaks is different than usual, never using adjectives or qualifiers ("Escape. Hide. Find you later. Kill you then.") And Fett acts a bit out of character sometimes, like when he frees the prisoners aboard the Azgoghk. Also, the villains are way over-the-top. at one point, the evil doctor admits that he is just experimenting on non-humans for pleasure instead of science, and he's using a lightsaber. I didn't like it as much as Wagner's stories. Plus it doesn't help to have a two-page, Star Wars Tales style cartoon from Dave Land at the end, which is not even funny at all.

THE ART

Anyone who read Dark Empire I and II and the three pevious Boba Fett one-shots is familiar with Kennedy's style. Some like it, some hate it. I'm not a big fan. I think his designs are too similar and repetitive. Some characters just look weird: if the doctor hates aliens so much, why does he have pointy ears if he's supposed to be human? And what's that weird hairdo the Admiral is sporting? Even the alines, the turtle-like Gulmarid, look very generic. Some styles I get used to after a while, but Kennedy's has the reverse effect on me: at first it was all new and cool, but now I can't stand to look at it.

The cover by Velasco is uninspired, as are the two pinups at the back of the book, one by Francisco Hererra and one by Ronnie Del Carmen, with colors on both by Jason Hvam. Those and the aformentioned Dave Land cartoon (illustrated by Lucas Marangon with colors again by Hvam) will not be missed if they are left out of the eventual trade paperback collection.

CONCLUSIONS

A so-so comic.

Rating: 5/10 At your own risk.