by Anton van Dort

To know me is to know I love Boba Fett, the most notorious bounty hunter in the Star Wars galaxy. I write Boba Fett poetry, some of which is published, and of course there’s a whole slew of Boba Fett poetry in my new book of poems, Heroes without Capes. I also aspire to create a Boba Fett costume just in time for the new Star Wars premiere. But why this Fettish? I’m not a kid—in fact, my kids aren’t into Star Wars at all. As I write this post, I’m wearing one of my Boba Fett T-shirts, my Boba Fett hoodie (it’s very warm and cozy) and one of my Boba Fett helmet necklaces. All creatives need a muse and Boba Fett has become mine for these four reasons.

1. Boba Fett is the best collection agent EVER. How many times have I wished I could call up Boba Fett and ask him to strong arm my deadbeat clients? I’d say, “Please pay me by Wednesday, or I’m sending my bounty hunter after you.” Boba Fett always gets his man. The ending of The Empire Strikes Back was a downer for both Darth Vader and the Rebels. Vader missed his chance to bring in Luke and the Rebels returned to their base without Han. Boba Fett was the only “winner” in the film. He was born to be a bounty hunter; Fett’s someone who is using his gifts and sharing them with the world. Are you?
2. His words match his actions. Boba Fett knows who he is and carries himself with confidence. While cradling his rifle like a baby, he doesn’t let finks or his Inner Critic thwart him from his goals. Boba Fett’s not a people pleaser and doesn’t much care if you disagree with him. He also is not afraid to tell Darth Vader, the baddest dude in the galaxy, “What if he doesn’t survive. He’s worth a lot to me.” Who in their right mind would talk to Vader without saying “Lord Vader” first? Plus, you can tell they’ve known each other a long time because Boba Fett’s not afraid to get in Vader’s personal space. Fett doesn’t have a lot to say in the movies, but sometimes less is more. Here are all four of his lines.
3. Cool costume. Most kids back in 1979 ordered their Boba Fett action figure through the mail-in offer, which started the Boba Fett craze—you had to work hard to get your hands on him. Boba Fett wears battle-scarred Mandalorian armor featuring a jet pack, tattered poncho (which I make him lose in the course of my poems–get it, he’s a hero without a cape?), and Wookiee scalps on his left shoulder. The first time I read about/saw his costume, I had to know more about this guy. Wookiee scalps? Man, Boba Fett wasn’t someone you wanted to mess with. His costume is both functional and intimidating. Upon closer inspection of this upper body armor, Fett bears a red Mandalorian (it looks like a squid) symbol on his left bicep and a wheat frond encased in a blue circle by his right shoulder (because his people are farmers). His boots have toe spikes and his knees are armor-plated. Of course, his T-shaped helmet is awesome. Yes, I want one now!
4. Boba Fett is My Hero. In my series of Boba Fett poems, I’ve made the famed bounty hunter a recovering alcoholic who’s working hard on changing the script of his past. He follows a code and tries to do right by those who can’t fight for themselves. And he’s a survivor who’s thriving. However, he is judgmental when it comes to stupidity and can’t stand chatty Cathys. Okay, okay—maybe that’s a bit of me thrown in there. He’s neither all good nor all bad—in fact, I have the theory that he killed Luke’s aunt and uncle because after he found out that Darth Vader (before he was Vader) had a hand in killing his father, Jango. So, Boba Fett started Star Wars!

Although I’ve known Boba Fett almost my whole life, only recently have I considered him my muse. As I was writing my superhero poems for my upcoming poetry collection, Heroes without Capes, Boba Fett said to me, “Same idiots everywhere from Tatooine to Johnston County. Except Jabba doesn’t buy me drinks.” Wow. That was it. I had to know this guy more and I relocated him from the Star Wars universe to North Carolina. As I wrote my first few poems, I decided I probably needed to research his background more. Turned out I had figured out his motivations without even doing the research!

So, whenever I’m feeling scared, unsure and anxious, I wrap myself in my Boba Fett hoodie and say WWBFD? And soon I have my answer.