The Star Wars: Dark Droids Marvel comics crossover event by Charles Soule starts this August and will tie into the Star Wars, Star Wars: Doctor Aphra, Star Wars: Darth Vader, and Star Wars: Bounty Hunters runs.
If you want a full breakdown of the event and to see all of the variants for every issue be sure to check out the Star Wars: Dark Droids Reading Order Variant Checklist I put together here.
When I was putting together that post one issue stood out early as one to keep an eye on.
While Star Wars Bounty Hunters 37 doesn’t come out until August it’s already on my radar for a few reasons. Before I get into the details read the publisher’s description for the issue.
“THE HAUNTING SECRET MISSION OF JANGO FETT! A DARK DROIDS TIE-IN! The BOUNTY HUNTERS must contend with the looming shadow of the sins of BOBA FETT’S father! What is the secret that lurks on the mysterious droid outpost, THE HAVEN? Who is TARR KLIGSON and what is his connection to Jango Fett?”
Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #37
The three things that stand out to me are Jango Fett, The Haven, and a familiar name from Legends, Tarr Kligson.
Who is Tarr Kligson?
Tarr Kligson is a human cyborg who fought in the Clone Wars on the side of the Republic. He was hand-picked by Jango Fett to be one of the 100 members of the Cuy’val Dar, warriors brought to Kamino to help train the Clone Troopers.
Tarr Kilgson’s first comic appearance is Star Wars #47 from the original Marvel run. It’s pretty reasonable on eBay.
He eventually left the Cuy’val Dar to be one of the few non-clones to fight alongside the Clones in the war. After the fall of the Republic Tarr led battalions of Storm Troopers for the Empire. When he defied an Imperial Order he was gunned down by his own Storm Troopers. Before he died he was rescued and recreated as a cyborg with recycled B2 super battle droid parts in order to survive his injuries. He eventually created a large space station with old separatist ships that became known as Kligson’s Moon. Shortly after he was seen darting off in hyperspace.
Tarr Kligson first appears in Star Wars: #47 from the original Marvel comics run where C-3PO and R2-D2 are sent “Kligson’s Moon” to investigate some kind of “mega-droid.”
There they met Tarr Kligson and his all-droid world. Kligson had sworn off all organic life and would only work / communication with droids. While there a group of Droids secretly working with the empire, led by an old experimental droid trooper called Z-X3, created by Domina Tagge and the Tagge Corporation.
Note: See all listings for Star Wars #47 (1977) “Droid World” on eBay.
Interestingly enough there was an audio version of this comic produced on both record and cassette tape, called The Further Adventures: Droid World.
Note: See all listings for Star Wars: The Further Adventures: Droid World on eBay.
With the help of Threepio and R2, Tarr and his loyalists defeated the droid rebels and detached his “Kligson’s Moon” space station, and took to hyperspace to find a new place to land “Kligson’s Moon” on.
Note: Kligson’s Moon is the name of the space station. Kligson lands it on other deserted planets, moons, etc., and calls them his home. At least that’s how I interpreted it.
The first canon mention of Kligson’s Moon was in Star Wars: Revelations #1 when Droid revolutionary and main character of the upcoming Star Wars: Dark Droids crossover series, Ajax Sigma, was reconstructed. He eventually massacred a group of organics on it before being confronted by Luke Skywalker.
Ajax escaped but his presence was felt as he declared his vengeance on organic life before rocketing away to safety.
Note: See eBay listings for Star Wars: Revelations #1 here.
Ok, that’s some background on Tarr Kligson, Ajax Sigma, and Kligson’s Moon.
What does all of this mean for Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #37?
So why does this have my attention? Why am I paying close attention to Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #37?
First off, Ethan Sacks (Bounty Hunters) and Charles Soule (Star Wars, Dark Droids) are making Kligson and his story a bigger part of Star Wars lore with the Dark Droids crossover event.
My guess is that the “Haven” that is mentioned in the publisher’s description is wherever Kligson landed his “moon.” A place where organics are not welcome and the perfect place for Ajax Sigma to make his home base for his droid Revolution. Tarr Kligson is the perfect “inside man” to help the galaxy defeat this threat as he’s not entirely machine.
Also, this is going to be a Fett focused issue. The only connection between Jango and Tarr Kligson is the Cuy’val Dar. Opening up the possibilities that we see more elite soldiers and warriors who trained the Clone Arc Troopers.
And finally, there’s a 1:00 virgin “Jango Fett” variant (as well as an open order trade dress variant) by Alex Maleev for Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #37. This is the highest ratio ever for a Star Wars: Bounty Hunters comic. The next closest being the 1:50 variant for Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #1. This COULD be a nod by Marvel that this issue is expected to be a big deal.
To be fair, It doesn’t always work out that way but it’s been a long time since we’ve had a ratio variant for this run. It FEELS significant.
Now, truthfully, I have no real insight proving that this will be a key issue. I’m just saying that all of the ingredients are there. I’m also not suggesting you buy anything. Your money is yours and so are your purchases. Only buy what you want to own or what you feel comfortable spending.
You can see all variants for all issues (including this one) included in the Star Wars: Dark Droids Crossover event here on the Drunk Wooky Dark Droids Variant Checklist.
Grand Admiral Frik
