We get after Disney Star Wars-- mostly rightly-- for an over-reliance on legacy characters, but there's one odd twist to that: Boba Fett isn't the galaxy's only bounty hunter anymore.
What I mean is, in the EU, if almost any story needed a bounty hunter, hired gun, or mid-range baddie, you could comfortably rely on the shelled head of Boba Fett emerging from the shadows to fulfill the need. Boba Fett was everywhere in the EU, did everything-- it's why, ironically enough, when Disney took over and started developing new material, The Mandalorian floated straight to the top. The face of Star Wars adventures for a decade had, after all, been the T-shaped visor of the warrior formerly known as Jaster Mereel1.
But that's the trick, because now in Disney canon, the details of Boba's life are locked down. He isn't everywhere doing everything. His Skipray Fireboat stays parked in Jabba's lower lot for 17 years. This means there has to be other bounty hunters to fit his ecological niche, and while one might be tempted to point at his immediate successor, Mr. The Mandalorian, it's actually Fennec Shand who's emerged as the most vibrant bounty hunter in Star Wars. She's the one that's featured in multiple shows and books; she's the one that writers seem to be able to pull out when they need a hired gun quick. And I love it! I think Fennec Shand is cool-- great name, great look, great performance.
But was there anybody in the EU who could fill in for Boba Fett? Was there anybody who got air time like him? Maybe IG-88? Even then, that whole bounty hunter crew-- IG, Bossk, 4-LOM & Zuckuss-- they all had film time first. Were there any fiction first bounty hunters that rose to prominence? I'm struggling to think of any. If you can think of someone, pop into the comments and let me know!
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Remember when Jodo Kast was the Johnny Ridden of Jaster Mereels? Ah, what a time. Now the only Jodo Kasts are Cob Vanths, although now that Cob Vanth is Raylan Givens, I think that's more of an upgrade. Shout out to the Star Wars/UC Gundam/Justified folks out there.
for boba fett.