"Star Wars #16: War of the Bounty Hunters: Missing in Action" by Charles Soule
"Star Wars #16: War of the Bounty Hunters: Missing in Action" written by Charles Soule, illustrated by Ramon Rosanas and Rachelle Rosenberg
As hinted at above, the first several pages are essentially Luke just talking to himself about fighting Vader, I mean he's technically talking to R2, but he's not really giving the droid any time to respond so his real motivation is thinking out loud, not starting a real dialogue. In regards to the battle with Vader on Cloud City, he says, "It was like fighting...a storm. Like one of those ripping, tearing gravel storms back on Tatooine...the kind that could strip you down to your bones." He goes on and on about Vader's power and finally rounds out the think-aloud with, "But...that was last time. I survived, and I remember, and...I learned. I can be a storm too, Artoo." Lord, have mercy, the gall of this kid. He's so much like his dad it's not even funny. Not surprisingly his mind wanders to him being killed by Vader even as he's talking about how he'd be able to defeat the Sith Lord now that he has more training and experience under his belt. So he realizes that fear is blocking his ability to truly tap into the Force.
Meanwhile, on Jekara, Vader has made his way up to Qi'ra where Han's carbonite-encased body is being kept and fights her, both vicious to the last (see below). Vader says he recognizes "the lineage of [Qi'ra's] instruction," meaning he can sense Maul in the way the Crimson Dawn leader fights. To which Qi'ra naively replies, "Then you know you're in trouble." Vader's probably like, "Ha! You have know clue what you're talking about. I know all of his moves." Leia wants to scoot in behind them and snag Han while he's such a short distance away, but Lando knows that plan is suicide. Leia asks Luke over comms (he's on his way to Jekara in his X-wing) if he can act as a distraction and lure Vader away from Han, making the grab easier. He agrees...at first...
As Luke exits hyperspace, he comes face to face with the Imperial Super Star Destroyer Executor which sends a number of TIEs out after him (see below). Luke, always with the sneaky plan, flies close to the Son-Tuul Pride war cruiser the Dark Syndicate, leading to TIEs strafing the criminal group's ship. Of the mind that they only needed one small excuse to fire on the Empire, the Son-Tuul Pride jumps into action! Luke is able to then make his way out of the fray.
Qi'ra eventually finds herself on the ground with Vader pointing his saber at her chest and Lando says, "Oh, Qi'ra...I don't know if you deserved better than this...but I do wish it had gone another way for you." But then just as Vader is about to kill her, he finally feels Luke's presence and the dark Lord gets a connection made between the comms built into his suit and the comms in Luke's X-wing, ordering him to make an appearance or he'll slice Han in half (see below), forgetting all about Qi'ra. As gung-ho as the burgeoning Jedi was to fight his father again, he realizes that he's still not ready for another face off, apologizing to Leia.
Apparently "War of the Bounty Hunters #3" takes place before this issue because a situation is mentioned for which that issue is referenced in a side box. I guess I'm still all sorts of twisted around with the order of these. Oh well. I'll survive. Next I'll read "4-LOM & Zuckuss #1." Excited for more Deva Lampop!!! As for this issue, it was just super lackluster and the plot honestly stood completely still. And I have no idea who is "Missing in Action" as the title states... But I have high hopes for the rest of this crossover event!
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Marie E. Wilson a.k.a. @AliaMorgaine
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