Since 1983 when Return of the Jedi first premiered, Jabba the Hutt has been a character who has been (in my opinion) underutilized. Like Boba Fett, his demise came far too quick. Despite a handful of appearances in other Star Wars media, including a cameo in The Phantom Menace, a restored sequence in A New Hope, an ill-fated role in The Clone Wars movie, and a couple of episodes of the series (as well as a few flashbacks in the old Extended Universe and the Darth Vader comic published by Marvel), there has been far too little of the infamous Hutt.
While Star Wars: Tales from the Rancor Pit may not completely fill the Jabba void, readers DO get to visit with everyone’s favorite gangster slug as he hears stories from the wider Star Wars universe. Jabba is treated to thrilling adventures of the Clone Wars, the Old Republic, and Han Solo’s life on Hoth. Interestingly enough, Solo is frozen in carbonite and hanging on Jabba’s wall as his tale is told. Each of the stories is designed to chill the hearts on even the hottest of Tattooine Nights and are filled with the horrors of Separatist ghost droids, Jedi hunting monsters, and baby wampas. But why are these tales of the Rancor Pit? Because the character telling them is trying to entertain Jabba so he doesn’t become the Rancor’s next victim.
Published by Dark Horse Comics, Star Wars: Tales from the Rancor Pit is written by Cavan Scott, with art by Nick Brokenshire (Jabba’s Palace), Jaun Samu (Clone Wars), Andy Duggan (Old Republic), and Rafael Perez (Hoth). It’s a great anthology comic, and each of the stores are a lot of fun. The artwork fits together perfectly, which is not always the case for books of this nature. There are a lot of fantastic pages and spreads from all of the artists. Juan Samu in particular really leads the pack with some very exciting sequences.
But what of Jabba? Does he enjoy the stories? Are they entertaining enough for him to spare the life he literally has hanging by a thread? Hoo Hoo Hoo – you’ll just have to read it yourself to find out!
Recommended – 4 out of 4 stars
Creative Team: Cavan Scott (writer), Nick Brokenshire (Artist), Juan Samu (Artist), Andy Duggan (Artist), and Rafael Perez (Artist), Kelly Jones (Cover Artist), Michelle Madsen (Cover Artist)
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
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