If there’s one franchise that has seemingly mastered the practice of the retcon, it’sStar Wars. Whether it involves Han Solo getting his name from a cheeky spaceport worker or the decidedly less officialForrest Gump-esqueadventures of Tag and Bink, the practice of answering questions nobody asked has been a staple of the series ever sinceThe Phantom Menaceintroduced the idea of “midi-chlorians.” Based on a recent issue of Marvel’sStar Warscomics, it looks like that practice is still alive and well.
This particular instance involves the return of Qi’ra, agent of the Crimson Dawn crime syndicate and Han’s former love interest played by Emilia Clarke inSolo: A Star Wars Story. The first issue ofStar Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters, which only just released, has revealed that not only is she still part of the criminal underworld (and apparently moving up in it), but her organization’s interest apparently involved the theft of Han’s carbonite-frozen body between the events ofThe Empire Strikes BackandThe Return of the Jedi. Sure, it’s probably not as exciting of a reveal as the ones seen inthe unofficial A.I.-written sequel toSolo, but it’s something.
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The comic sees Qi’ra intercept the Han-sicle as the unfortunate smuggler is being delivered to Jabba the Hutt after the cliffhanger ending ofThe Empire Strikes Back. In fact, the overall premise of theWar of the Bounty Huntersstoryline appears to involve a number of bounty hunters and other interested parties all fighting for possession of Han’s body as Boba Fett attempts to deliver it to Jabba’s palace. When a mysterious thief manages to pull off the impossible and actually steal from the mercenary in the Mandalorian armor, the first issue’s final cliffhanger reveals that the victorious party is none other than Qi’ra herself, giving readers an idea of what she’s been up to ever sinceSolo.
Qi’ra was last seen moving up in the criminal underworld under the leadership of Maul. But now, with the knowledge that Maul died at the hands of Obi-Wan Kenobiduring the events ofStar Wars Rebels, it will be interesting to see what role she now plays in the Crimson Dawn syndicate. Of course, that’s assuming she survives the full storyline ofWar of the Bounty Hunters, which will receive its 2nd issue in July. After all, stealing from Boba Fett probably isn’t exactly good for one’s alive-ness.
Why did Qi’ra steal Han’s body? Is it part of her duties to the Crimson Dawn, or is it more of a personal mission? Perhaps her sentimentality got the better of her and she’s attempting to rescue the helpless smuggler. Granted, it’s just as likely that she’s simply using him to continue establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with among the galaxy’s seedier elements. Or maybe thenewly-confirmed-as-pansexual Lando Calrissianwill drop by for a bit as well.
Either way, there are surely plenty more big reveals in store as the comic series continues throughout 2021. It’s being touted as a big crossover event between several of the currently ongoingStar Warscomics, and Marvel certainly knows its crossovers. So it’s only a matter of time before another big reveal blows this one right out of the water.
Solo: A Star Wars Storyis now available on Disney Plus.
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