Star Wars’ New Bounty Hunter May Be Better Than Boba Fett

With the War of the Bounty Hunters heating up in the pages of Marvel’s Star Wars comics, Jabba the Hutt has personally requested the services of Deva Lompop, a centuries-old bounty hunter who may be even better than Boba Fett. With a bright feathered mohawk and plated armor, this dazzling new character is sure to be as dangerous as she is colorful. She is believed to be among the galaxy’s oldest bounty hunters, and her appearance also provides a nice bridge between the High Republic and the Original Trilogy.

Crossing over between all four of Marvel’s monthly Star Wars series as well as a number of one-shots, War of the Bounty Hunters takes place between The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. It centers around the hunt for Han Solo, whose frozen carbonite body has been stolen from Boba Fett and placed up for auction by the sinister crime syndicate Crimson Dawn. This auction draws in interested parties from all over the galaxy, including bounty hunters, Rebels, gangsters and Darth Vader himself. With his most sought after prize on the line, Jabba is calling in the big guns in the form of Deva Lompop.

According to StarWars.com, Deva will make her first appearance in the one-shot War of the Bounty Hunters: Jabba the Hutt #1 by Justina Ireland and Iban Coello. She is a member of the Shani species, who can live for centuries and are considered by the Hutts to be the Star Wars galaxy’s original bounty hunters. Her green skin, multi-colored feathery mohawk, plated armor and throwing knives immediately attract the eye and add to her intrigue. Check out concept art for Deva Lompop and preview images for War of the Bounty Hunters: Jabba the Hutt #1 below:

Lompop is said to have been alive during the High Republic era, which takes place 200 years before Star Wars: The Phantom Menace. Books and comics taking place during the High Republic began publishing this year, providing insight into a time that has not previously been covered when the Jedi were at their peak and facing threats never before seen. Recent Star Wars comics have incorporated elements from the High Republic into their stories, fleshing out the history of the galaxy. Rogue archeologist Doctor Aphra has discovered technology belonging to the Nihil, a band of marauders dating who have been the main antagonists in the Star Wars: The High Republic comic series. The Rebel Alliance’s Starlight Squadron of fighters also takes its name from the Starlight Beacon, a High Republic Jedi space station.

“Deva was the product of my absolute love of feathered lizards and badass women,” said Ireland. “There is definitely something awesome about getting a chance to bring a High Republic character to the War of the Bounty Hunters, and for High Republic fans they should watch for Deva in upcoming works.”

“When I was designing the costume for Deva, I tried to honor all the ideas Justina had for the character when making her come to life,” Coello added. “She was very clear about the image that the character had and it was very easy for me to work on that direction.”

The fact that Jabba the Hutt is calling Deva in to clean up Boba Fett‘s mess shows that, despite her old age and having moved on to more mercenary work, she has not lost her touch as a bounty hunter. After making her debut in War of the Bounty Hunters: Jabba the Hutt #1, on sale July 21, Deva will appear in every one-shot in the War of the Bounty Hunters crossover. While it’s not known what her exact impact on this Star Wars story will be, one look at Deva Lompop tells readers that it’s going to be dramatic.

Source: StarWars.com