by Ryan Silberstein, Managing Editor, Red Herring

With The Book of Boba Fett coming to Disney+ this week, I thought it would be fun to look back at one of the most cult favorite characters in the Galaxy Far, Far Away. When I was a kid, only Star Wars fans remembered who Boba Fett was, and I was obsessed with the armor design especially. He’s a character built to be cool, and yet he is defeated by a visually impaired Han Solo by accident because his rocket pack gets damaged. Amazing that he became so iconic when he goes out like a punk in Return of the Jedi.

Legends

These Fett stories are no longer in continuity, but they are important in shaping why the character became such a cult favorite in the fandom.

The Star Wars Holiday Special

Before the toys and Empire Strikes Back, Boba Fett had two appearances. First, a parade in San Anselmo, California in 1978, and then during an animated segment of The Star Wars Holiday Special two months later. “The Story of the Faithful Wookie” is the only part of the Holiday Special to see an official release (it’s now on Disney+) and it’s a fun adventure that uses an European art style, which makes it feel pretty unique among mid-century American animation.

“Jawas of Doom,” Star Wars #81 written by Jo Duffy, drawn by Ron Frenz

This is the first time that Boba Fett climbed his way out of the Sarlacc Pit after Return of the Jedi. Published by Marvel at the end of 1984, this was also the first Star Wars comic that was set after the final film in the trilogy. In it, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Princess Leia head back to Tatooine to retrieve some cash Han had hidden away. He can’t claim it because the bank thinks he is still frozen in carbonite. Meanwhile, a Sandcrawler of Jawas picks up Boba Fett in the desert, thinking he is a cyborg and might be worth some money. R2-D2 is stolen by the same Jawas, and a chase ensues, which results in Han Solo trying and failing to save Boba Fett’s life before the whole vehicle...falls back into the Sarlacc. The comic doesn’t really further the character, but it’s fun because the ending makes it so utterly pointless. However, I love the way the layout and colors work on the page above, showing Fett’s memories as he lies in the desert.

“A Barve Like That: The Tale of Boba Fett” by J. D. Montgomery (aka Daniel Keys Moran)

Published in the Tales From Jabba’s Palace anthology, this short story is the second time Boba Fett escaping the Sarlacc was depicted and the one that stuck. Although the “Jawas of Doom” isn’t referenced in this short story, both were canon before the slate was (thankfully) swept clean in 2014, removing the feeling of Fett popping in and out of the Pit of Carkoon like a meerkat. Like many of the old expanded universe stories, this one brings harder science fiction concepts into Star Wars than normally featured in the films. Here, Fett develops a short range telepathic connection to the Sarlaac and communes with several of its previous victims before busting his way out.

“The Last One Standing: The Tale of Boba Fett” by Daniel Keys Moran

Starting with flashbacks to Fett’s early life (all of which would be negated when Attack of the Clones established that he was a clone), this story from Tales of the Bounty Hunters establishes Fett as Han Solo’s nemesis. It traces their relationship beyond the films and ends with a cliffhanger of a showdown between the two men. Both of Moran’s tales established more of Fett’s image in the fandom, especially prior to the prequels, expanding on the mysterious bounty hunter of few words.

“Boba Fett: Twin Engines of Destruction” one-shot comic written by Andy Mangels and drawn by John Nadeau

I included this mainly out of personal nostalgia. When I was a kid, I came across this and devoured it. What’s cooler than one guy in Mandalorian armor? Two of them fighting each other! This story is a very simple one that sees Boba Fett track down Jodo Kast, a Boba Fett impersonator, and put an end to his impersonation. No idea if it holds up, and don’t tell me if it doesn’t.

Star Wars: Blood Ties written by Tom Taylor and drawn by Chris Scalf

This comic from 2010-2012 has a pair of stories that were told over 8 issues originally, but give a good view of how Jango Fett was incorporated into Boba’s story after the release of Attack of the Clones. The first arc has Jango and Boba working together for a bit, and then flashes forward to tell a story of fathers and sons. The second arc, “Boba Fett is Dead,” is a fun small scale story that gives a good look as to where the character was before the Expanded Universe was reset in 2014.

Canon

“Bounty” – Season 4, Episode 20 of Star Wars: The Clone Wars

I personally love heists, and especially a train heist! This one ups the fun by featuring a team up between Asajj Ventress and a young Boba Fett. Also including Dengar and Bossk! While this is more of a Ventress character story, it’s nice to see Boba treated as a fallible character and not an unapproachable icon.

Star Wars #6 “Skywalker Strikes Part VI” written by Jason Aaron and drawn by John Cassaday

Taking place between the two original movies, this comic series follows the adventures of Luke, Leia, and Han. This issue features the first showdown between Luke and Boba Fett, at the abandoned home of Ben Kenobi, which ends at a draw, thanks to R2-D2. It’s a great action issue, and seeing Luke starting to use his lightsaber is a lot of fun.

Age of Rebellion: Boba Fett #1 written by Greg Pak, drawn by Marc Laming

This single issue story basically casts Boba Fett in The Man With No Name role and even gives him a mechanical horse! I love when people Trojan Horse other genres into Star Wars, and this is a wonderfully drawn 20-page western comic book featuring some iconic armor. Boba Fett is usually best in smaller doses, and this is positively distilled.

The Mandalorian Season 2

While my appreciation of the character has diminished a lot since I was 11, seeing Temeura Morrison portray a wizened Boba Fett in the most recent season of The Mandalorian feels like a new chapter for a character previously defined as “cool armor.” There’s a wearnies of a man ‘just trying to make his way in the universe’ that creates a lot more possibilities than merely having a grudge against Han Solo.