Everything’s Coming Up Jango, For the Worse: ‘Jango Fett’ #3 Review

Heading into its finale, things are starting to come together in Jango Fett #3. Plot threads and characters alike are pulled tighter, creating a sense of momentum in the penultimate issue of the series. Unfortunately for the title character, it comes at the cost of Jango Fett himself, who slides further back into action hero blandness as other characters ascend and the plot quickens. 

Jango Fett #3 opens with Jango arriving at the mining planet of Roxuli, tasked with locating the person who stole the story’s MacGuffin, despite not knowing what that person looks like. At the same time, Aurra Sing and her minder, Judicial Huijari, are en route to the same place. From there, the bulk of the issue consists of two different fight scenes, one between a group of criminals who think Jango is after them, and another between Jango and Aurra Sing.

The first taps into Star Wars’ Western roots, presenting a showdown in the middle of a backwater town between a hired gun and his target. Even moreso than the opening action sequence of issue #1, it showcases Jango’s skills and ingenuity as a fighter. It’s also better illustrated by Luke Ross, eschewing some of the awkward figure work that found its way into that first fight. He also uses the novel idea of having Jango’s jetpack kick up dust to create a chaotic scene told from within the ensuing dust cloud, rendering Jango as an invisible figure striking from out of nowhere. 

The second sequence, the confrontation between Aurra and Jango to which the series has been building since her introduction into the narrative, is a more effective showcase for Aurra. With surprise on her side, she quickly overpowers Jango. There’s a (fun) twist to their fight, however, and in the end, it turns to Jango’s advantage. Thus, both action sequences, while entertaining and well-rendered, ultimately reduce Jango once again to a stock action hero figure.

The series has occasionally leaned into the characterization of Jango as not just a super-efficient bounty hunter, a literal and thematic proto-Boba Fett, but also a world weary, put-upon one. But there’s simply no room for that in this installment. Whether gunning down locals in his way or getting beat by Aurra Sing only to have it work out for him, this is pure “Ur-Boba” Jango Fett on display, not the more working class version of the character from earlier in the series. That version is vastly more interesting simply for being relatively unique. 

Fortunately, the final pages setup a return for the more interesting depiction of Jango Fett, the one who is both just a simple man trying to make his way in the universe but also an entertainingly-effective bounty hunter and fighter. As Jango and Aurra capture their quarry, it’s revealed that the Hope of Glee Anselm — the MacGuffin — is a fake, meaning they’ve both been setup. Obviously, this establishes a mystery to drive the conclusion of the story — who set them up, and why? Who is trying to push the planet of Glee Anselm into war and the Republic government to the point of collapse? 

More importantly, the closing panels of Jango Fett #3 — of the collection of bounty hunters gathered at the Two Blasters bar all receiving notification of the new, massive bounty on Fett himself — set up the next issue to once again cast Jango in a far more interesting role. Not as the super cool bounty hunter always one step ahead of his prey, but rather, as a highly competent professional who is simply fighting to stay alive as he gets unwillingly embroiled in events larger than his personal worldview. In this issue, the beats of the plot push Jango back into a less satisfying, if still entertaining, character type. Thankfully, the conclusion suggests both plot and characterization will be able to work hand-in-hand for a satisfying conclusion to the series next issue.