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Star Wars: Republic #5
Star Wars: The Hunt for Aurra Sing
Aurra Sing arrives on Coruscant with a mean streak, killing Jedi within the very shadows of the Temple. The Jedi Council must now decide how to deal with the infamous bounty hunter whose favorite targets are Jedi. Several Jedi Knights volunteer for the honor of bringing Sing to justice. But do they want justice, or vengeance?
96 pages, Paperback
First published July 3, 2002
1 person is currently reading
113 people want to read
About the author
Timothy Truman
542 books57 followersTimothy Truman is an American writer, artist and musician. He is best known for his stories and Wild West-style comic book art, and in particular, for his work on Grimjack (with John Ostrander), Scout, and the reinvention of Jonah Hex, with Joe R. Lansdale. Truman is currently writing Conan and is an instructor at the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design.
Truman's first professional comics work was Grimjack with writer John Ostrander, for the independent comics company First Comics. Grimjack first appeared in Starslayer #10 in November 1983, before moving to his own series after issue #18 in 1984, and continued for 81 issues. Along with being a fan favorite and often imitated character, Grimjack almost single-handedly defined the "grim and gritty" action comic character archetype.
Truman has been continuously creative for more than 20 years, displaying his pulp sensitivities in his writing. In 1985, he created Scout, which was followed by Scout: War Shaman, a futuristic western. A year later, he relaunched the Hillman characters Airboy and The Heap for Eclipse Comics. He also developed The Prowler, a Shadow type character, and adapted The Spider for Eclipse. In 1991, at DC Comics he created Hawkworld, a reinvention of Hawkman. With author Joe R. Lansdale, he reinterpreted Jonah Hex as a horror western. In it, their creation of villain Edgar Autumn elicited a complaint from musician Edgar Winter. With his son, Benjamin Truman, he created A Man Named Hawken.
Truman was chosen by Dark Horse Comics to illustrate a newly completed Tarzan novel and wrote a story arc for the comic book. He also wrote virtually the entire run of Turok: Dinosaur Hunter for Valiant Comics, after David Michelinie launched the book with its first three-issue story arc and subsequently departed the series. For the defunct SF imprint of DC, Helix, he created The Black Lamb. He also worked on a typical pulp adventure Guns of the Dragon, featuring Enemy Ace and Bat Lash; and wrote Star Wars at Dark Horse Comics. While at Dark Horse Comics, he took over the writing of Conan from Kurt Busiek in 2006, and after that series ended he started Conan The Cimmerian.
Truman's startling work, Simon Girty, Renegade was a two-volume black and white graphic novel that translated the horrors and triumphs of the American settler's western frontier in a fresh, interesting light. In bold, black and white use of positive and negative space, Truman appealed to both young and old audiences in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. It was especially important for West Virginians that had been struggling against novelist Zane Grey's portrayal of Lewis Wetzel in an overly romanticized, florid light. Truman himself is an avid historian who dislikes nothing more than to see a drawing of a war using the wrong weaponry, and the second volume of his two-volume series on Simon Girty was devoted to the errors caught in his first volume.
Tecumseh! a graphic novel based on the West Virginia Outdoor Theater, is a colored graphic novel that shows the play from beginning to end. It renewed interest in the warrior in Appalachia. When asked why he used "Tecumseh" instead of "Tecumtheh" he explained he didn't want to explain to the mainstream audience the variance in spelling — the movement on pronunciation began with General William Tecumseh Sherman who came from a family that wanted to commemorate the warrior, but felt the lisping "Tecumtheh" would be unmanly.
Truman's first professional comics work was Grimjack with writer John Ostrander, for the independent comics company First Comics. Grimjack first appeared in Starslayer #10 in November 1983, before moving to his own series after issue #18 in 1984, and continued for 81 issues. Along with being a fan favorite and often imitated character, Grimjack almost single-handedly defined the "grim and gritty" action comic character archetype.
Truman has been continuously creative for more than 20 years, displaying his pulp sensitivities in his writing. In 1985, he created Scout, which was followed by Scout: War Shaman, a futuristic western. A year later, he relaunched the Hillman characters Airboy and The Heap for Eclipse Comics. He also developed The Prowler, a Shadow type character, and adapted The Spider for Eclipse. In 1991, at DC Comics he created Hawkworld, a reinvention of Hawkman. With author Joe R. Lansdale, he reinterpreted Jonah Hex as a horror western. In it, their creation of villain Edgar Autumn elicited a complaint from musician Edgar Winter. With his son, Benjamin Truman, he created A Man Named Hawken.
Truman was chosen by Dark Horse Comics to illustrate a newly completed Tarzan novel and wrote a story arc for the comic book. He also wrote virtually the entire run of Turok: Dinosaur Hunter for Valiant Comics, after David Michelinie launched the book with its first three-issue story arc and subsequently departed the series. For the defunct SF imprint of DC, Helix, he created The Black Lamb. He also worked on a typical pulp adventure Guns of the Dragon, featuring Enemy Ace and Bat Lash; and wrote Star Wars at Dark Horse Comics. While at Dark Horse Comics, he took over the writing of Conan from Kurt Busiek in 2006, and after that series ended he started Conan The Cimmerian.
Truman's startling work, Simon Girty, Renegade was a two-volume black and white graphic novel that translated the horrors and triumphs of the American settler's western frontier in a fresh, interesting light. In bold, black and white use of positive and negative space, Truman appealed to both young and old audiences in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. It was especially important for West Virginians that had been struggling against novelist Zane Grey's portrayal of Lewis Wetzel in an overly romanticized, florid light. Truman himself is an avid historian who dislikes nothing more than to see a drawing of a war using the wrong weaponry, and the second volume of his two-volume series on Simon Girty was devoted to the errors caught in his first volume.
Tecumseh! a graphic novel based on the West Virginia Outdoor Theater, is a colored graphic novel that shows the play from beginning to end. It renewed interest in the warrior in Appalachia. When asked why he used "Tecumseh" instead of "Tecumtheh" he explained he didn't want to explain to the mainstream audience the variance in spelling — the movement on pronunciation began with General William Tecumseh Sherman who came from a family that wanted to commemorate the warrior, but felt the lisping "Tecumtheh" would be unmanly.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 17, 2023
Set in 31-30BBY
Aurra Sing, who we got a glimpse of in Episode I, is a mercenary, a Jedi hunter, a lightsaber collector, a thief, a killer.
So the Jedi High Council is forming a team to go hunt her down and bring her back to justice. While the Dark Woman (her former master) is convinced that she has to get her back and confront her etc. and while the council disagrees, she goes off anyway.
Others, like A'Sharad, want to go to and capture her (him especially because Aurra killed his father) and/or kill her. That's why the council is against it etc.
“Every rumor holds grains of truth. Or so I’ve heard.” - Aurra Sing
All the while, Aurra is just hunting down Jedis and killing them for fun and credits of course. A nice adventure, fun to read, with solid artwork to go along with it. A decent addition to the Star Wars lore that's just a fun read and nothing more or less.
“We all have darkness within us. It is what makes us living things. Bound by the Force. We can never brush that darkness away. It is within us always. We can only control it, like a dangerous beast that must be kept upon a chain.” - An'ya Kuro
Aurra Sing, who we got a glimpse of in Episode I, is a mercenary, a Jedi hunter, a lightsaber collector, a thief, a killer.
So the Jedi High Council is forming a team to go hunt her down and bring her back to justice. While the Dark Woman (her former master) is convinced that she has to get her back and confront her etc. and while the council disagrees, she goes off anyway.
Others, like A'Sharad, want to go to and capture her (him especially because Aurra killed his father) and/or kill her. That's why the council is against it etc.
“Every rumor holds grains of truth. Or so I’ve heard.” - Aurra Sing
All the while, Aurra is just hunting down Jedis and killing them for fun and credits of course. A nice adventure, fun to read, with solid artwork to go along with it. A decent addition to the Star Wars lore that's just a fun read and nothing more or less.
“We all have darkness within us. It is what makes us living things. Bound by the Force. We can never brush that darkness away. It is within us always. We can only control it, like a dangerous beast that must be kept upon a chain.” - An'ya Kuro
August 19, 2021
I think I am caught up on the Republic comics :O And this was a good one to end with, I think :) I do like Aurra Sing as a villain (she is a type of female villain I appreciate) so it was interesting to see more from her.
January 24, 2025
Rounded up from 3.5, as we can’t do half stars.
Aurra Sing has always been a character that piqued my interest in the stories she’s been in. This one was no different.
My only complaint really was that I wanted more. Because of that, I felt the story was a little rushed at times, especially the ending. It was still good though, and I loved seeing just how vicious she is.
I really liked the art too, I just wish it had felt a little grimier, if that makes sense?
Aurra Sing has always been a character that piqued my interest in the stories she’s been in. This one was no different.
My only complaint really was that I wanted more. Because of that, I felt the story was a little rushed at times, especially the ending. It was still good though, and I loved seeing just how vicious she is.
I really liked the art too, I just wish it had felt a little grimier, if that makes sense?
August 23, 2017
Not particularly dumb or offensive to the tastes but far more blah than it could be. Aurra Sing loses some of her potential luster when this close-up feels so boring. Her motivations are never interrogated in an interesting way, her skills aren't put through any interesting scenarios. Largely unmemorable. I do still love that they named a Jedi "The Dark Woman" though.
April 10, 2024
Well, seeing the Legends version of Aurra Sing has certainly been... interesting. It's just a bit jarring seeing her so different from her disney-canon Clone Wars version. She's also very similar to Clone Wars' Asajj Ventress, so that's throwing me off too. Nonetheless, the story itself was pretty good!
March 5, 2020
The artwork was pretty nice in this, and I'm kind of enjoying Aurra Sing even though she's a psycho. We are learning more about the Dark Woman like I wanted, but she is not one of my favorite characters. (Also, she looks like she was modeled on Linda Hamilton.)
January 20, 2026
Could probably have done with maybe being a bit longer but an interesting arc centering on an very interesting character.
I'd only really known Sing as a Bounty Hunter so this darker side of her has greatly intrigued me .
I'd only really known Sing as a Bounty Hunter so this darker side of her has greatly intrigued me .
December 4, 2018
Reasonably entertaining.
May 26, 2019
I did like this one, but I also can't deny how dull these pre-prequels Star Wars comics can be.
March 26, 2021
Aurra Sing is one of the better ones in the is expanded universe of Star Wars. So cold killer and in that so interesting. So this was quite entertaining one with nice art.
December 20, 2021
Better than I could have hoped for. I never really cared much for this Bounty Hunter but her story and past changed my mind. Not sure it it’s still canon.
June 17, 2025
aurra is such a beast, there’s no way jango was more feared than her
June 30, 2016
Star Wars Legends Project #76
Background: The Hunt for Aurra Sing was released in 4 issues from March to June 2001. The trade paperback came out in July of 2002. It was written by Timothy Truman and drawn by Davide Fabbri. Truman wrote a number of issues in the Republic series, as well as a ton of Conan comics (among a variety of other work). Fabbri has a few dozen Star Wars comics to his name, along with a scattering of other work, including Victorian Undead, which pits Sherlock Holmes against a zombie outbreak.
The Hunt for Aurra Sing is set 30 years before the Battle of Yavin. Quite a few Jedi make at least an appearance, but the main characters are Ki-Adi-Mundi, his padawan A'Sharad Hett, Adi Gallia, and the Dark Woman. Well, and Aurra Sing, of course.
Summary: The Jedi have long had reason to be concerned about Jedi-trained bounty hunter Aurra Sing, but matters come to a head when she murders two Jedi on Coruscant itself. With no shortage of volunteers to go after her, the Jedi form a task force to hunt Sing down and bring her to justice. But she is a formidable opponent, and more than capable of turning the hunters into the hunted.
Review: This should be a much better story than it is. It features the return of a well-designed and compelling villain who has grown to become the primary antagonist of her own story. It has more of the fantastic Tusken Jedi A'Sharad Hett. The title promises danger, action, excitement, and a consequential outcome . . . and doesn't entirely fail to deliver most of those things. But the story is hampered by a few problematic factors. Most of these factors are directly related to Aurra Sing herself: She's way too good, she's way too mysterious, and ultimately this doesn't go anywhere even though it clearly ought to.
Now, the matter of her skill is a fine line to walk, because if she isn't exceptionally dangerous, even to a Jedi, then there is no tension . . . But she defeats too many Jedi with too much ease to make sense. She's always a step ahead, and always more skilled in combat. The former is a good trait (but as always, it relies on the limitations of the Jedi's Force powers to fluctuate according to the needs of the plot), but the latter isn't so much. What makes even less sense is that we see her take down two Jedi and a padawan with ease at the beginning of this story, and what does the Jedi Council send out after her? Two Jedi and a padawan. Um . . . How about making that team a little larger? And while we're ragging on the Council and their poor decisions: They refuse to allow the Dark Woman to join the team because she trained Sing so she could be emotionally compromised or whatever. Nevermind that she's exceptionally-skilled and her knowledge of the target would be a huge asset. But okay, I could buy that reasoning, I guess . . . Except then they turn around and send Hett along, even though Sing murdered his father. Come on, guys, how about a little basic consistency?
The story also fails to deliver on what should be its most basic promise. We've been teased several times with Aurra's past, her hatred of the Jedi and her status as a former pupil. This is where we need to learn more about that . . . What happened between her and the Order that not only caused this rift, but made her hate the Jedi enough to hunt and kill them for sport? And we don't get any of that at all, just more teasing, even though there are several obvious opportunities for this to come up naturally within the context of the story. This is not how you make a villain more interesting. We know nothing about Aurra at the end of this story that we didn't know at the beginning.
Finally, there is no payoff. The set-up is fine, but the climax is rushed and weak. It just kind of fizzles out and stops. Without going too heavily into spoilers, there is a hunt for Aurra Sing as promised, but it is not concluded successfully. And that's just the end of it, apparently. She has murdered several Jedi and the Jedi finally decide they have to do something about it, so they track her down and then she gets away and then that's it. Hunt over. Wait, what?!
Nevertheless, there is still some great action and cool character work in this story, particularly with the ongoing development of Hett's character (can't get enough of him, can't wait for more). It's not a total failure as entertainment, but it could have been so much more.
C+
Background: The Hunt for Aurra Sing was released in 4 issues from March to June 2001. The trade paperback came out in July of 2002. It was written by Timothy Truman and drawn by Davide Fabbri. Truman wrote a number of issues in the Republic series, as well as a ton of Conan comics (among a variety of other work). Fabbri has a few dozen Star Wars comics to his name, along with a scattering of other work, including Victorian Undead, which pits Sherlock Holmes against a zombie outbreak.
The Hunt for Aurra Sing is set 30 years before the Battle of Yavin. Quite a few Jedi make at least an appearance, but the main characters are Ki-Adi-Mundi, his padawan A'Sharad Hett, Adi Gallia, and the Dark Woman. Well, and Aurra Sing, of course.
Summary: The Jedi have long had reason to be concerned about Jedi-trained bounty hunter Aurra Sing, but matters come to a head when she murders two Jedi on Coruscant itself. With no shortage of volunteers to go after her, the Jedi form a task force to hunt Sing down and bring her to justice. But she is a formidable opponent, and more than capable of turning the hunters into the hunted.
Review: This should be a much better story than it is. It features the return of a well-designed and compelling villain who has grown to become the primary antagonist of her own story. It has more of the fantastic Tusken Jedi A'Sharad Hett. The title promises danger, action, excitement, and a consequential outcome . . . and doesn't entirely fail to deliver most of those things. But the story is hampered by a few problematic factors. Most of these factors are directly related to Aurra Sing herself: She's way too good, she's way too mysterious, and ultimately this doesn't go anywhere even though it clearly ought to.
Now, the matter of her skill is a fine line to walk, because if she isn't exceptionally dangerous, even to a Jedi, then there is no tension . . . But she defeats too many Jedi with too much ease to make sense. She's always a step ahead, and always more skilled in combat. The former is a good trait (but as always, it relies on the limitations of the Jedi's Force powers to fluctuate according to the needs of the plot), but the latter isn't so much. What makes even less sense is that we see her take down two Jedi and a padawan with ease at the beginning of this story, and what does the Jedi Council send out after her? Two Jedi and a padawan. Um . . . How about making that team a little larger? And while we're ragging on the Council and their poor decisions: They refuse to allow the Dark Woman to join the team because she trained Sing so she could be emotionally compromised or whatever. Nevermind that she's exceptionally-skilled and her knowledge of the target would be a huge asset. But okay, I could buy that reasoning, I guess . . . Except then they turn around and send Hett along, even though Sing murdered his father. Come on, guys, how about a little basic consistency?
The story also fails to deliver on what should be its most basic promise. We've been teased several times with Aurra's past, her hatred of the Jedi and her status as a former pupil. This is where we need to learn more about that . . . What happened between her and the Order that not only caused this rift, but made her hate the Jedi enough to hunt and kill them for sport? And we don't get any of that at all, just more teasing, even though there are several obvious opportunities for this to come up naturally within the context of the story. This is not how you make a villain more interesting. We know nothing about Aurra at the end of this story that we didn't know at the beginning.
Finally, there is no payoff. The set-up is fine, but the climax is rushed and weak. It just kind of fizzles out and stops. Without going too heavily into spoilers, there is a hunt for Aurra Sing as promised, but it is not concluded successfully. And that's just the end of it, apparently. She has murdered several Jedi and the Jedi finally decide they have to do something about it, so they track her down and then she gets away and then that's it. Hunt over. Wait, what?!
Nevertheless, there is still some great action and cool character work in this story, particularly with the ongoing development of Hett's character (can't get enough of him, can't wait for more). It's not a total failure as entertainment, but it could have been so much more.
C+
February 7, 2013
Basically fine for what it is but what it is doesn't amount to a whole lot of very much. The Hunt for Aurra Sing is more Aurra Sing hunting a bunch of dull Jedi for money that she doesn't need because she apparently enjoys killing Jedi anyway; particularly her former master, the strangely for a Jedi titled "Dark Woman". Well the artwork and the pacing is fairly crisp and clean in this way. It's short so there's no time to really get bored until the final issue hits and you realise that the story isn't going to go anywhere, but a couple of Jedi do realise that "shucks, life as a Jedi isn't black & white. There's a good path and a dark path and ... oh, whaddya mean you've heard that one before??"
Perfectly diversionary but one wonders why Truman wasn't thinking a bit bigger with these stories - or maybe he was, just that Ostrander's writing was so much better it eventually took centre stage for this title.
Perfectly diversionary but one wonders why Truman wasn't thinking a bit bigger with these stories - or maybe he was, just that Ostrander's writing was so much better it eventually took centre stage for this title.
July 19, 2012
Aurra Sing est une chasseuse de prime. Ses contrats préférées sont ceux où elle doit éliminer des Jedi. Après en avoir tué deux, le Conseil Jedi décide d'envoyer Ki-Adi-Mundi, Ashara Hett et Adi Galia à sa recherche pour enfin la stopper. On apprend dans cette BD qu'Aurra Sing est une ancienne Padawan qui a ma tourné et son ancien maître Jedi décide de se joindre à eux pour cette chasse.
C'est une bonne BD mais sans plus. J'ai bien aimé voir le personnage de Asharad se démarquer un peu plus et prendre sa place. Sinon, il y a encore une part de mission diplomatique quand l'on voit les Jedi essayer de protéger un sénateur de Mon Calamari contre Aurra Sing. Je préfère plutôt les histoire de Ostrander plutôt que celles de Truman dans cette série.
C'est une bonne BD mais sans plus. J'ai bien aimé voir le personnage de Asharad se démarquer un peu plus et prendre sa place. Sinon, il y a encore une part de mission diplomatique quand l'on voit les Jedi essayer de protéger un sénateur de Mon Calamari contre Aurra Sing. Je préfère plutôt les histoire de Ostrander plutôt que celles de Truman dans cette série.
February 9, 2017
The Aurra Sing storyline is a take it or leave it type of thing for me. I do tend to prefer Ostranders approach to it more however. I tend to find Sings character more or less annoying as a villain that you just want the hero to do away with her so we can all move on already, however shes the type that doesnt like to stay down and has an affinity for surprising escapes when one isn't looking. The story just goes on an on and on.
December 6, 2011
i came across this at a thrift store and instantly fell in love with the cover art and decided to buy it and the 2nd volume. i'm glad it was so cheap because the only good thing about it is the cover. it just didn't hold my interest. i'm going to keep it though, just for the cover. i'm probably gonna read the 2nd one, since i bought it too. hopefully it's better.
May 23, 2008
If you like Aurra Sing and want to see her fight a bunch of Jedi and generally kick ass, then this books for you. The story itself isn't anything special, but it's the most meaty, Sing heavy story out there in graphic novel form.
July 27, 2011
I quite enjoyed this overall; a nice look into the character of Aurra Sing introduced in 'The Phantom Menace' that hasn't been touched on much before. Her history and place in the universe is revealed.
December 13, 2016
Better than your average clone wars era miniseries. Sing is a compelling character and it's nice to see her character expanded somewhat like this. Would be interesting to find out ways underneath the hatred...too bad it's legend now,and not likely to be expanded upon anytime soon.
April 23, 2013
Better than I thought it would. The ending is rather abrupt.
May 3, 2017
It was nice to get a bit more Aurra Sing, though short of being a little crazy and a brief flashback as her as a padawan, we don't find out much more about her. I particularly like the confrontation between A'sharad Hett and Aurra Sing and Hett's first feelings of the dark side.
The artwork was good enough to not detract from the story, though I was a little distracted by the way Aurra's extra long fingers were depicted.
The artwork was good enough to not detract from the story, though I was a little distracted by the way Aurra's extra long fingers were depicted.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews