Jabba the Hutt is an iconicStar Warsvillain - a terrifying crime lord who gained power even under the crushing boot of Palpatine’s Empire. However, he finally met his end over the Great Pit of Carkoon at the hands of Princess Leia Organa, during the rescue of Han Solo. Now, in new stories set directly after the events ofReturn of the Jedi,Jabba is quickly replaced by his majordomo, Bib Fortuna.Fortuna was first introduced as Jabba’s replacementin the post credits scene ofThe Mandalorian Season 2,butinThe Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising (2024) #2,fans see him officially claim the throne.
Star Wars: Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising #2by Alex Segura, Leonard Kirk, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Joe Caramagna takes place after the Battle of Endor and the destruction of the second Death Star. The rebels are celebrating their victory against the Emperor, andnew threat Grand Moff Adelhardis attempting to prolong the reign of the Empire. However, in the shadows, the results of Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia’s rescue mission on Tatooine are taking effect, giving Bib Fortuna a place on the Hutt Syndicate throne.
In the issue, Bib meets with Zeva Bliss, as both acknowledge that the shifting balance of power in theStar Warsuniverse is leading to major instability in the galaxy’s underworld.
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Bib Fortuna Is the New Leader of the Hutt Syndicate
But a Changing Galaxy Makes His Position Anything But Stable
Not long after his filling of the power vacuum on Tatooine, Bib Fortuna’s first visitors, the Spice Runners of Kijimi, arrive. The Spice runners' leader, Zeva Bliss, proposes an alliance between the Spice runners, Fortuna, and the rogue imperial Adelhard. Fortuna laughs it off, wondering why they would want to align themselves with the Empire now that it’s in shambles. On her exit, Zeva admits to her group that the real reason she wants to help Adelhard is to cause chaos, seeing the galaxy-wide instability as good for business.
During their interaction, Bib Fortuna mentions that he played a major role in Zeva Bliss' rise to power within the Spice runners of Kijimi and the fall of her mother, Zarah Bliss. It was under the leadership of Zeva that the Spice runners were properly organized into a single force. After Zeva, the Spice runners of Kijimi eventually fall under the leadership of her daughter Zorii Bliss, by 35 ABY (after the battle of Yavin) at the latest. This small exchange demonstrates how rootedZorii Bliss and her familyare in history, even having connections to Bib Fortuna. It also shows thatwhile Bib Fortuna has replaced Jabba the Hutt, he’s not making the alliances he needsto hold onto his new position.
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Jabba the Hutt’s Throne Is Not For the Weak
Bib Fortuna Is Destined to Fail, But He Can Still Do Damage in the Meantime
After Bib Fortuna’s threat to tell Zeva Bliss' lackeys how helpful he was with her rise to power, Zeva makes a counter threat, saying, “you talk as if your place here is any more secure than mine.” Fans know that she’s absolutely right. Fortuna’s swift takeover won’t last long, andhis demise comes five years later at the hands of Boba Fett, who then becomes the daimyo of Tatooine, refusing to give into Jabba’s old ways and instead deciding to rule with respect. This line delivered by Zeva is the perfect foreshadowing of Fortuna’s death, and a good reminder that the galaxy is always in motion.
Theaftermath of the Battle of Endorseems to be on all the Rebels' minds, but the aftermath of Han Solo’s rescue is developing right under everyone’s noses. As Marvel’s comics explore the period between the original and sequelStar Warstrilogies, there’s still plenty of time for Fortuna’s rule to have major consequences.
Star Wars: Battle of Jakku - Insurgency Rising #2is available now from Marvel Comics.
Star Wars
Star Wars is a multimedia franchise that started in 1977 by creator George Lucas. After the release of Star Wars: Episode IV- A New Hope (originally just titled Star Wars), the franchise quickly exploded, spawning multiple sequels, prequels, TV shows, video games, comics, and much more. After Disney acquired the rights to the franchise, they quickly expanded the universe on Disney+, starting with The Mandalorian.
