The Mandalorians are a race of warrior people from the planet Mandalore, though like most everything in Star Wars, it’s not that simple. As confirmed in both Legends and canon, one does not have to be born on Mandalore to be a true Mandalorian. Someone can be adopted by a Mandalorian (or group of Mandalorians) as a ‘foundling’, and afterward, they are true Mandalorians. While some ‘pure blood’ Mandalorians would argue this fact, Star Wars as a whole has made it clear the ‘foundling’ process is as legitimate as being born on Mandalore.

Why this clarification is so important is that Mandalorian stories in Star Wars are dominated by three people in particular: Din Djarin, Jango Fett, and Boba Fett. While the entire Mandalorian series makes it clear that Din Djarin is a true Mandalorian, Jango and Boba Fett still have the reputation as Mandalorian impostors – and that’s simply not true. In Legends, both Jango and Boba Fett were leaders of Mandalore, and in canon, Jango is revealed to be a foundling just like Din Djarin, making his son, Boba, a Mandalorian by ‘birthright’.

However, even if they are true Mandalorians, stories featuring Din Djarin, Boba Fett, and Jango Fett (while exciting and noteworthy) are far from the only ones in Star Wars, as Mandalorians have a long and extensive history within the established canon (including Legends). Here are the 10 best Mandalorian stories in Star Wars comics history, ranked!

10

The Mandalorian Brings Star Wars’ Most Popular Bounty Hunter to the Comics

Star Wars: The Mandalorian by Rodney Barnes and Georges Jeanty

Many Star Wars fans interested in exploring the deeper lore surrounding the Mandalorians may have been inspired to do so by the hit Disney+ series, The Mandalorian. If that’s the case, then the comic book adaptation of The Mandalorian is the perfect starting point for those venturing into the (admittedly intimidating) realm of Star Wars comics. Unfortunately, the thing that’s cool about this Mandalorian story is also its one shortcoming: it’s exactly like the show.

The Mandalorian is a true retelling of the Star Wars series, making it an easy and fun read for those familiar with the storyline, and a great introduction to the comics. However, many fans might be more interested in a story that wasn’t first featured in live-action, which is why The Mandalorian – while a great Mandalorian comic story – is far from the best.

9

The First Return of Boba Fett is a Piece of Star Wars History

Star Wars #81 by Jo Duffy and Ron Frenz

The return of Boba Fett following his supposed death in Return of the Jedi is a story that’s been told more than once, but it originated in the original Star Wars comics series (which has since been relegated to Legends). This story shows Boba Fett surviving the Sarlacc Pit and being found by Jawas, at which point, fans learn that Boba suffered from amnesia, and only regained his memory after seeing Han Solo again.

Boba Fett is the original Mandalorian character in Star Wars canon, and the story of how he survived the Sarlacc Pit has become an integral aspect of his ongoing storyline (as shown in The Mandalorian and The Book of Boba Fett). Therefore, the original telling of that now iconic moment in Boba Fett’s life is immensely significant to his established lore, and by extension, Mandalorian lore as a whole.

8

Boba Fett Delivering Han Solo to Jabba the Hutt is His Most Iconic Solo Star Wars Story

Star Wars: Shadow of the Empire by John Wagner and Kilian Plunkett

Boba Fett has arguably never been more badass than as he was portrayed in The Empire Strikes Back, as he was a bounty hunter who Darth Vader himself called upon to do his bidding, and he actually succeeded in nailing his target. Unfortunately, his screen-time was far too short. That’s why Shadow of the Empire is an epic continuation of Boba Fett’s coolest era, showing him delivering that high-bounty target that is Han Solo to his employer, all while fighting off other bounty hunters looking to claim that prize as their own.

There is a lot of empty space in Boba Fett’s personal history in terms of why he’s considered one of the galaxy’s greatest bounty hunters. However, this storyline remedies that brilliantly, as it shows exactly why this fearsome Mandalorian bounty hunter is, indeed, one of the best.

7

Star Wars Reveals Boba Fett’s Heartbreaking Origin with His Father, Jango Fett

Star Wars: Blood Ties #1 by Tom Taylor and Chris Scalf

While Attack of the Clones and The Clone Wars do a great job at giving fans a comprehensive origin story for Boba Fett, those stories still leave much to be desired – and that’s where Star Wars: Blood Ties comes in. Star Wars: Blood Ties not only shows Jango Fett training his son, Boba – which includes taking Boba on missions with him – but it also conveys the toll being a bounty hunter has on someone even as seemingly heartless as Jango Fett.

Blood Ties shows the humanity underneath the cold armor worn by both Jango and Boba Fett, giving these characters depth that otherwise wouldn’t exist. It’s easy to view these two Mandalorians as little more than set decorations depending on the stories in which they’re featured, but Blood Ties gives fans a deeper look into who they are as people, which retrospectively enhances all their other Star Wars stories.

6

Mandalorians Have Never Been More Badass than When they Worked for Darth Maul

Star Wars: Darth Maul – Son of Dathomir by Jeremy Barlow and Juan Frigeri

Darth Maul famously became the leader of the Mandalorian faction known as Death Watch in The Clone Wars animated series, and when Death Watch conquered Mandalore, Maul became the official Mand’alor (or supreme leader of the Mandalorians). Therefore, when Maul was beaten by Darth Sidious and taken into custody (also as shown in The Clone Wars), Maul’s Death Watch didn’t hesitate to rescue him before engaging in an all-out battle with General Grievous’ droid army.

Maul’s Death Watch represents a major part of Mandalorian history, one with ties to the pre-Clone Wars Mandalorian Civil War, yet Star Wars features them very little in both the cartoon and the comics. That’s why Son of Dathomir is a standout Mandalorian story, as it’s just as significant for the Mandalorians as it is for Darth Maul himself. Plus, the armor design of Maul’s Death Watch and the action sequences featured in this comic are truly incredible, and a lot of fun to read.

5

The Mandalorians’ First Star Wars Appearance Presented Boba Fett as Their Leader

Star Wars #68 by David Micheline and Gene Day

The first time Star Wars fans ever saw the word ‘Mandalorian’ associated with the armor worn by Boba Fett was in Star Wars #68, when a team of them save Leia and C-3PO from Stormtroopers. At first, Leia mistakenly thinks that the first Mandalorian she sees is Boba Fett himself, but after seeing a few more of these Supercommandos (as they’re originally known) and then speaking with the one in charge, Leia learns that Mandalorians are an entire race of people, and that each Mandalorian Supercommando has the same armor as Boba Fett.

Not only that, but Leia learns that Boba Fett was actually the leader of the Mandalorians before the Empire attacked their homeworld, and Boba decided to abandon his people to become a bounty hunter. While this is firmly set in Star Wars Legends continuity (as practically everything about it contradicts the established canon), it’s interesting that the original origin of the Mandalorians featured Boba Fett as their leader, while also showing some awesome first-gen Mandalorian action that every Star Wars fan needs to see.

4

Jango Fett Fought in the Mandalorian Civil War (& Became Mand’alor for a Time)

Star Wars: Jango Fett – Open Seasons by Haden Blackman and Ramon Bachs

Jango Fett was born on a world under Mandalorian rule called Concord Dawn where he and his family were caught in the middle of the Mandalorian Civil War, fought between the Mandalorians and members of their race fighting to usurp the establishment of power: Death Watch. Jango’s family was murdered by Death Watch, at which point, he was taken in by the Mandalorians as a foundling. Fett was raised by the Mand’alor, from whom he received his armor and training. Years later, when the Mand’alor died in Fett’s arms, Jango himself became the Mand’alor, and led his people in combat.

Jango Fett wouldn’t abandon Mandalore until after a group of Jedi murdered his closest friends and fellow soldiers, and Fett murdered six of the Jedi in return (which is why he was chosen as the clone template). Open Seasons not only firmly establishes Jango Fett as a Mandalorian (both a warrior and leader), but it also features some of the greatest Mandalorian action in Star Wars history, with immense lore significance regarding the Mandalorian Civil War as well – and the majority of this Legends story was carried over into canon.

3

Star Wars Introduces a Badass Mandalorian During Its Most Hardcore Era: Hondo Karr

Star Wars Legacy #4, 20, & 41 by John Ostrander, Travel Foreman, Omar Francia, and Kajo Baldisimo

Star Wars Legacy is famously one of Star Wars‘ most hardcore eras, with its grungy style, mature content, and badass characters. One such character is a new Mandalorian named Hondo Karr, whose storyline is chronicled in the 4th, 20th, and 41st issues of Star Wars Legacy. Karr was a Mandalorian who fought during the Sith-Imperial War. The dark Empire ruled by the One Sith invaded Mandalore, and in the end, succeeded in conquering it. However, after Karr disguised himself as a Stormtrooper, he put a plan into motion that saw him trying to take down the Empire from the inside.

This story is a chapter in Mandalorian history that takes place at the latest point in the Star Wars timeline, making it incredibly significant to the wider Mandalorian lore. Not only that, but it also gives fans an awesome new Mandalorian character in Hondo Karr, complete with a truly badass new take on Mandalorian armor.

2

Star Wars Details the Origin of the Mandalorians’ Deep-Seated Hatred of the Jedi

Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi – The Sith War by Kevin J. Anderson and Dario Carrasco, Jr.

When the newly-established Dark Lord of the Sith, Exar Kun, and his fellow fallen Jedi, Ulic Qel-Droma, were attempting to usher in a new Golden Age of the Sith, Ulic challenged the Mand’alor to single-combat, which – if he won – would mean the Mandalorians would fight on behalf of the Sith against the Jedi and the Galactic Republic. Ulic won the match, which made the Mandalorian army the Sith’s to control. A great war broke out across the galaxy that saw the Mandalorians battling countless Jedi, something which helped establish the two groups as mortal enemies.

Given that it takes place roughly 4,000 years before the Skywalker Saga, this story is the earliest known chapter of Mandalorian lore, which alone is significant enough to mention, but it’s the fact that they were fighting Jedi that really makes this story noteworthy. Plus, the Mandalorian action shown in Tales of the Jedi mixed with the biomechanical nature of their armor and technology makes this storyline even more interesting, and absolutely essential.

1

Star Wars’ Mandalorian Wars Cements Their Hatred of the Jedi (& Introduces the First ‘Jedi Mandalorians’)

Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic – War by John Jackson Miller and Andrea Mutti

While The Sith War featured the Mandalorians’ first conflict with the Jedi, it wasn’t until the Mandalorian Wars of the Old Republic era that they’d truly come to hate the Jedi Order as a society. The Mandalorian Wars details the Mandalorians making a play for galactic control (which was secretly influenced by the Sith). The Jedi join the war to defend the Galactic Republic, which began with a legion of Jedi led by Revan (who would later become Darth Revan). However, there were other Jedi that agreed with the Mandalorians’ crusade, and they became known as the Mandalorian Knights.

Centuries before Tarre Vizsla would bring tenuous peace between the Jedi and the Mandalorians, the Mandalorian Knights were made honorary Mandalorians that fought for Mandalore supremacy across the galaxy. This storyline is incredibly lore-heavy, and is easily one of the most significant moments, not just for the Mandalorians, but in all Star Wars history – not to mention the most epic. That’s why Knights of the Old Republic – War is the best Mandalorian story in Star Wars comics.