New Star Wars Story Sees Boba Fett and Han Solo Finally Face Off

The Star Wars universe is about to revisit an iconic era to kick off a brand-new series of stories for young readers.

Mad Cave Studios and Papercutz have officially unveiled the first in a new series of upcoming graphic novels, Star Wars: Smugglers and Scoundrels Vol. 1 — The Race for Jabba's Bounty. Written by the critically acclaimed Cavan Scott with art by Christian Colbert, The Race for Jabba's Bounty will see Han Solo and Chewbacca cross paths with some of the deadliest bounty hunters the Galaxy has ever known, all as part of a race to recover a priceless artifact for one of the worst crime lords of all time.

Star Wars: Smugglers and Scoundrels Vol. 1 — The Race for Jabba's Bounty

• Written by CAVAN SCOTT

• Art by CHRISTIAN COLBERT

• Main cover art by CHRISTIAN COLBERT

• An ALL-NEW original Star Wars graphic novel for middle-grade readers!

• Hardcover

• 112 pages

• $19.99(Hardcover)/$14.99(Trade Paperback)

The official solicit synopsis for Star Wars: Smugglers and Scoundrels Vol. 1 — The Race for Jabba's Bounty from Mad Cave Studios and Papercutz reads, "Notorious crime boss Jabba the Hutt has lost a precious family heirloom... and he knows just the scoundrels who can help him get it back!"

The solicit text continues, "Race to the finish line with some of the galaxy's most infamous rascals and see who will get their hands on the treasure first! Will it be Han Solo and Chewbacca aboard the trusty Millennium Falcon? Or Han's old rival, everyone's favorite fast-talking Lepi Jaxxon T. Tumperakki, and his lucky Rabbit's Foot? Or will it be Boba Fett, Aurra Sing, Greedo, or another competitor who takes the crown?"

Writer Cavan Scott opened up about the plethora of underrated, fan-favorite characters such as Jaxxon T. Tumperakki who will be taking center stage in The Race for Jabba's Bounty, noting, "Jaxxon is Star Wars' great underdog... well, under-rabbit. Doomed never to be taken seriously by his fellow scoundrels, the Lepi smuggler was one of the very first characters I ever experienced in Star Wars, long before I saw the films. And now he's back in his very first original graphic novel, chronicling his very first meeting with long-term rival, Han Solo!"

Artist Christian Colbert added, "As a lifelong Star Wars fan, this project was a chance to bring together everything I love about visual storytelling: scale, character, and atmosphere. Working alongside Cavan Scott is turning out to be both creatively challenging and deeply rewarding."

What Is Papercutz, And What Do They Publish?

Formed by hit indie publisher Mad Cave Studios in 2001, Papercutz primarily publishes family-friendly fare with a focus on the pre-teen and early teen demographic. Since its formation, Papercutz has published a whole host of licensed titles, such as The Nancy Drew Diaries and Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew, The Hardy Boys Graphic Novel series, and the ongoing Inside Out comic book series.

The wide breadth of licensed titles published by Papercutz comes as no surprise considering Mad Cave Studios' own history with licensed properties. In recent years, Mad Cave Studios has released acclaimed series ranging from The Phantom to The Last Starfighter to a multi-series reboot of the entire Speed Racer universe.

Star Wars: Smugglers and Scoundrels Vol. 1 — The Race for Jabba's Bounty from Mad Cave Studios and Papercutz is slated to arrive in stores on Sept. 15.