This week marks the launch of Star Wars: Blood Ties – Boba Fett Is Dead, by the team of Tom Taylor and Chris Scalf. GONK catches up with writer Tom Taylor and chats about the upcoming awesomeness.
Back in 2010, Dark Horse Comics introduced the first Blood Ties storyline in their Star Wars lineup: A Tale of Jango and Boba Fett. Writer Tom Taylor, who was already penning the Invasion series, teamed up with artist Chris Scalf to produce an exciting and beautifully illustrated story about the Fetts. Coming out this week is the start of a second storyline: Boba Fett Is Dead. I got a chance to read an advance copy of it, and while I had set my bar high, since both the first story from Blood Ties and the most recent Invasion – Revelations story arc were excellent, I was giddy after reading it (and I’m not even a huge Fett fan). Helping us get ready for the release, Tom Taylor agreed to answer a few questions about Boba Fett Is Dead:
Big Shiny Robot!: Why will Boba Fett Is Dead rock? and how long does someone live once they add ‘killed Boba Fett’ to their resume?
Tom Taylor: Why will it rock? Well, if you like revenge-fueled explosion-fests, then this will rock your socks off.
How long? Well, I think the first guy lasts about three pages 😉
BSR!: Over the years, there have been a lot of Fett stories that were more or less standalone adventures in the classic movie era, but your Blood Ties work brings in some elements never before seen: Boba’s relationship with those who helped shape him, like his father. How do you get into the mind of one of the galaxy’s notorious bounty hunters?
TT: Boba Fett is a man of mystery but he IS a man. We’ve seen him as a child. We know how he felt about his father. We know that he does have a sense of honor. He’s not an impenetrable bad guy or an optimistic hero. He’s not black or white, he’s a character of grays. I look at his past, I look at his future, I look at all the hits his armor has taken and I just run with it.
I don’t think you can tell a story about Boba Fett though, I think the people around him are how you tell his story because, despite his rich history, he’s still pretty impenetrable… well, impenetrable until page 1 of Boba Fett is Dead. Then he’s not impenetrable at all. He’s all full of smoking holes.
BSR!: While Boba Fett is one of the most popular characters in Star Wars, what in Boba Fett is Dead might appeal to fans who aren’t necessarily into Mandalorian armor-wearing bounty hunters?
TT: There’s a lot more to this story than meets the eye. Boba Fett’s past has finally caught up to him and we see a glimpse of his past in this story. We see the lives he has affected, good and bad. And then we have story of retribution, and revenge, and explosions. Honestly, if you like explosions, and revenge, and people being kicked off really high places and falling to their doom, you’ll love this.
BSR!: Over at EUCantina.net, you mentioned that Connor Freeman, a character from the first Blood Ties story will be an integral part of this story as well. How important is it that readers be familiar with the events of the first story arc?
TT: Not at all. I hate comics that suppose you know everything. And I hate comics that insist on explaining everything. I sum up Connor and Boba Fett in one panel then I move on to the action. What I will say is Connor is a fantastic character to write. He’s says what he thinks at all times. He’s a very funny character who can be the court jester in the room and speak the truth to power while he’s also one of the most human characters I write.
BSR!: Chris Scalf brings so much awesomeness to the artwork of Blood Ties – how did you take his painting style into account when writing this story?
TT: There are certain things Chris Scalf does better than anyone else and I always try to include these. It’s why there are always monsters in the books I do with him. Take a look at the cover to Issue 2 and you’ll see what I mean, he’s incredible. He also does great likenesses, explosions and fantastic ships. You’ll see all of these there for that reason. I always have the artist in mind when I write. I like to write with their strengths in mind.
BSR!: Will we see a connection between Boba Fett is Dead and Tag and Bink Are Dead?
TT: Nope. Sorry. But you’re not the first to ask
BSR!: In addition to your work on Blood Ties, Invasion, and the upcoming Darth Maul comic in the Star Wars galaxy, you’ve also been working on your own story, The Deep. Fill us in on the life aquatic, and what might Star Wars fans like about it?
TT: The Deep is my absolute love. The Deep: Here Be Dragons tells the tale of a multiethnic family of underwater explorers who live on a submarine. I would urge every single Star Wars fan and every single comics fan to pick it up for themselves and especially for anyone younger than themselves.
The Deep has actually just been nominated for two Aurealis awards – Australia’s biggest sci-fi literary awards. It’s nominated for best children’s picture book AND best illustrated work (the adult category) so it truly is for all ages.
It’s an action book full of surprises and monsters and peril. There’s no cynicism, no real violence, there’s just adventure and mystery and some of the smartest, funniest characters I’ve ever had the opportunity to write. There’s also a fish called Jeffrey. I can’t tell you much about him because he’s a fish.
BSR!: Well, we will let Jeffrey’s mysteries take us out. Thank you, Tom, for giving us the details on Boba Fett Is Dead as well as The Deep.
For more info on Tom Taylor, check out his website at www.TomTaylorMade.com. Blood Ties – Boba Fett is Dead #1 is coming out on April 25, while later this summer, Tom’s new Star Wars project: Darth Maul: Death Sentence with art by Bruno Redondo and covers by Dave Dorman, starts July 25. Get more info on 2011’s The Deep – Here Be Dragons at www.ExploringTheDeep.com.