I didn't care for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones much at all, but I have to admit, the scenes featuring Jango Fett were exciting and made me want to see more of and know more about the character. Well, I got my wish here, as this collection explores Jango's origins and what drives him. There's more to the character than just a slick design. His unresolved issues with beloved father figures who are stricken down make for an interesting figure in fiction, and it's a shame the character won't turn up in any more Star Wars flicks.
A vicious man named Vizsla leads a death squad in a frenzied mission to wipe out all Mandolarian soldiers, and his quest leads him to the Fett farm. He slaughters the family in an attempt to extract information, and only a young boy named Jango escapes. Jaster, the leader of the Mandolarians, takes Jango under his wing, and shares his life, skills and hatred of Vizsla with the boy. As he grows up amid the ranks of Jaster's mercenaries, Jango Fett's ability as a warrior and leader is soon apparent, and his clash with Vizsla proves to be a part of his life for decades.
Bachs does an excellent job of conveying Jango at various ages, and his artwork captures a sense of the cinema with the larger-than-life action. I'm most impressed with how he, along with the colorists, distinguish among the various Mandolarian soldiers despite the fact that they share armor designs. Bachs's exaggerated style suits the hectic pace and brutal tone of the story quite well.
One of the interesting aspects of this story was the use of two main plotlines. One involves the title character's ongoing war with Vizsla, but the other is a more mysterious one. It's about Fett's one-time clash with the Jedi, and how it haunts the leader of those knights he killed. I was also pleased to find that one needn't have seen Attack of the Clones to appreciate this story. Despite the complex and engaging plotting, the story remains accessible.
Easily the most fascinating thing about this story and the title character is his obsession with fatherhood. He's had two fathers who cared for him and made him strong, and losing them has driven him not only to revenge, but to the assumption of the fatherhood role as well. In Attack of the Clones, the young Boba Fett's inclusion in the story really didn't make all that much sense. In this context, it not only makes sense, but it adds a lot to the character.
Note: This trade paperback was not among this week's new releases.
