We saw probably just enough of Jabba the Hutt in the movies. Jabba the Hutt: The Art of the Deal adds little to the character, and maybe even takes something away.

The Hutt of the movies is disgustingly piggish, but also is ruthless, relentless and greedily cunning. He's the epitome of vile.

The Hutt of the comics -- The Art of the Deal collects four stories: "The Gaar Suppoon Hit," "The Hunger of Princess Nampi," "The Dynasty Trap" and "Betrayal" -- is oafish and dull, a cartoon caricature of himself.

The plots are simplistic, mostly revolving around friendly chit-chat turning to betrayal and murder. The dialogue is silly and weak. The art is uninspired, and the design of aliens not directly lifted from the films is laughably bad.

Dark Horse has made some powerful contributions to the Star Wars universe through its comics line, but The Art of the Deal is an example of wasted effort. A good character isn't enough to carry a series of anemic tales.

by Tom Knapp
Rambles.NET
12 May 2007