Blue Milk Special

Who is under that helmet? Is Boba Fett just a cool costume? Certainly, he’s not much more than that in the Original Trilogy, but he has become something much more tangible thanks to the expanded universe of books, comics and video games. I thought now would be a good time to talk to one of the many who eat sleep and breath Boba Fett. I thought it would be great to hear the low down straight from a Mandalorian’s mouth so we can shed some light on the mysterious bounty hunter and the costuming club that was based around him.

Introducing the Mandalorian Mercs

Among Star Wars costuming clubs, names like the 501st Legion and Rebel Legion have started to make an impact on public awareness all over the world thanks to their heavy involvement in charity and community events. One of several offshoots from the heroes and villains costuming clubs is the Mandalorian Mercs. They formed in 2007 as a way to marshal the resources within the community for the massively popular Boba Fett and the mythos surrounding his fellow Mandalorian warriors. The organization was founded by Tom Hutchens and now there are over 1000 official members providing a great support group for those interested in the specialized costuming and putting it to work through volunteer work.

The Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club manage the charity organization known as Little Warrior International (LWI). The mission is focused on bringing hope to those in need through the power of Star Wars, changing the lives of children, families and communities through funding and raising awareness of illness and disease research, along with providing aid to communities in need.

The Mercs also run a club-style organization for children who are fans of Star Wars and Mandalorians, known as Verd’ika Corps. “The Corps” is a safe environment for children to learn the values of Mandalorian Mercs as a charity organization, and interact with fans of a similar age. Just like the adults, the Verd’ika Corps is open to membership worldwide.

I spoke with Jason “Fett Ski” Suchodolski from the Kyrimorut Clan that covers the DC and Maryland, USA region.

Blue Milk Special: Is Boba Fett just a cool costume?

Fettski: Yes, but so much more. There is a lot of mystery behind the tinted visor. Boba Fett has a reputation for being the best Bounty Hunter in the Galaxy. Not only is Boba Fett a cool costume but the very first time I saw a Mandalorian. Since then, I have found the Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club which are all basically custom Boba Fetts to most people. Although the word about Mandalorians is spreading thanks to the club activities and the Clone Wars and Rebels.

BMS: What was it like the first time you saw Star Wars?

Fettski: I don’t remember the “first” time I saw Star Wars, but I can reflect on my first memory of Star Wars. TV at that time was a big deal, only a few channels and on the evenings during the weekend –I think it was the very early days of cable– my dad, mom and brother, with freshly popped popcorn in a bowl on my lap, gathered around the console TV. I remember watching the Crawl for Star Wars A New Hope. The first scene with the Tantive IV being attacked by the Empire and watching the Stormtroopers and Vader enter the ship, I was hooked. I had no idea then or even the next several years that I would end up where I am today. It wasn’t until 2011 that I began my interest in costuming and specifically Star Wars and the Mercs. I have always been a fan of Star Wars but my obsession hit me recently when I decided to join the 501st.

BMS: How has the backstory behind Boba Fett developed over the years along with the Mandalorian mythos?

Fettski: For me, I was less interested in his backstory and more interested in what happened to him during Return of the Jedi. I heard from someone that he lived and the story began in a trilogy called The Bounty Hunter Wars. The very first chapter tells about Boba defeating the Sarlaac and climbing out of the pit of Carkoon. After I read that triolgy, I went back and started reading about his history. The Prequel trilogy and the Clone Wars series has shed light on Boba Fett’s origin as an unmodified genetic clone of Jango Fett and how he traveled with some of the Bounty Hunters. Now that the Expanded Universe books have been changed to Non-Canon and considered Legacy, I am hoping that Disney adds more details to Boba Fetts Canon history and I am especially hoping for a Boba Fett movie that was rumored.
As far as Mandalorians, there is so much out there about them. Their appearance in the Republic Commando books by Karen Travis, the Legacy comic series, Open Season Comic series, The Blood Ties series, and the Boba Fett: Twin Engines of Destruction comic to name just a few. There are more Comics and books that feature Mandalorians than I am able to keep up with. It is a challenge that I enjoy pursuing though. I think I would be very sad if I got to the point where I read everything there was about the Mandalorians. Just like when a favorite TV show has its series finale.

BMS: Why do you think a separate organization was needed from the 501st Legion?

Fettski: There are several Organizations similar to the 501st Legion and I think they all have their place. The 501st only represents the Empire characters and a few others like the Tuskens and the Bounty Hunters to name a couple. The Rebel Legion represents the Jedis as well as some of the neutral characters shared with the 501st like the Clone Troopers since for a time, they were allies with the Republic but then changed to support the Empire. Other groups that are more specific like the Mandalorian Mercs that have custom Mandalorians as well as the canon Mandalorians, R2 Builders Club are specialized in R2-D2 and other Astromechs as well as the Mouse droids seen on the Death Star and Star Destroyers. The Dark Empire is the home for custom Sith Characters. These groups operate independently from the 501st but often attend the same events and have the same goal of sharing the love of Star Wars with fans of all ages and supporting charities through our attendance at events.

BMS: What is the difficulty level of costuming a Mandalorian Merc compared to, say a Stormtrooper?

Fettski: I have not yet built a Stormtrooper. I have helped a friend through part of his so I have a general idea what it takes and there is a good deal of getting the parts to fit just right. There is little room for error on a Stormtrooper. No kit is designed to fit every body without modification. Mandalorian costumes have more leeway in construction materials and methods and can be easier and more complicated than a Stormtrooper. Overall, though, I would say easier because the builder has the choice to make changes to the design. A good paint job and weathering can hide a great deal of imperfections.

BMS: You don’t just wear a costume you also belong to another organization that involves stunt performance while in the role of the character. Can you tell us a little about it and what you do?

Fettski: I am on the Command staff for the Old Line Garrison, I am the leader for the Mandalorian Mercs Kyrimorut Clan and I am also a performer for Jedi Saber Combat. My Mando character happens to be a Force Hunter. He specializes in the bounties for Jedi and Sith.
One night during a conversation, I volunteered myself to perform thinking it would be fun. It is a whole lot of fun, work, and very rewarding to be part of the group. We practice the basic movements and then once they are mastered, we are able to begin working with a partner to learn choreography. It is up to the leadership of the group if a member is fit to perform on the field at an event.
Jedi Saber Combat is a small local group that performs at Baseball Star Wars nights and at a few other events with more and more being added each year. We work closely with Children’s charities like Casey Cares. During each performance a child is allowed onto the field to be part of the performance. Throughout an event we may have up to 10 children participate all of which are selected prior to the event. All Safety precautions are taken to ensure the safety of the children. At the end we bring the children on the field to be part of the Finale and *SPOILER ALERT*, they get to help save the Jedi and the children get to be the heroes.
I fight in my Mandalorian armor and add a bit of variety to the show.

BMS: What was it like making your first Mando costume? Why did you choose the one you did? What was it like seeing it come together, finally?

Fettski: My first Mando is my gold and black character named Jorsen Hay’ski. The first build was daunting. I didnt know anyone in the area who has built one before. I didn’t have a design I wanted to achieve and kind of went with the flow. I bought used parts from other people on the Mandalorian Mercs forum and kept the requirements in mind as I built.
In a way, it kind of built itself. The colors were chosen based on a flight suit that fit and was cheap on the forum and the color of the armor was something I didn’t see anyone else do. I wanted it to be unique.
After a little while I started to lose interest in the colors and design of the character and was about to rebuild it and use different paint. I did my first performance with Jedi Saber Combat and during the event, we had a friend of the group who was an experienced photographer take pictures. After the event, I saw the pics and it was at that moment that I fell in love with my kit. Since then I have made an upgrade to the current status to meet the Force Hunter Requirements and join something we have in the Mercs called Brigades which is an additional voluntary step in progression of a costume to join a specific expertise and meet additional requirements.

BMS: What other costumes have you built or might be working on?

Fettski: Costumes I have made are Kashyyyk Clone scout, ROTJ Biker scout, Imperial Crewman, Imperial Naval Trooper, Reserve Tie Pilot, ROTJ Boba Fett, Gold and Black Mando, a Desert Mando, I almost finished a phase 1 Pre Vizsla but sold it to a friend to finish.
I am nearly finished a second Desert Mando since I sold the other one I built to a friend, I have a Halo ODST that I am working on as well, I ordered an Original Trilogy Stormtrooper from Anovos and will build that this winter when they finally ship. I have plans to build a Kal Skirata Mando costume. I have helped several friends and hope to build a Mando for my wife some day. I also built a mini Boba Fett for my oldest son.

BMS: I’ve seen costumes made from a variety of materials, which I believe vary from PVC type plastic to actual metal armor plating. Are there various options for people with special needs and physical disabilities that still allow any dedicated fan who wants to be a part of the community to participate in some way?

Fettski: The costuming groups do not discriminate against any member wishing to join. Certain requirements can be adjusted to meet individual’s needs. These are handled at a case by case basis.

BMS: What are some of the most personally significant memories you have from the events, or “troops” that you’ve been a part of?

Fettski: To be honest, I cant think of a specific event that stands out more than others. My first time trooping was very special and I will not forget it. It was a Science Fair at a school. Trooping with the Garrison and getting to meet new people was very exciting. Being one of the costumers and experiencing the excitement of the fans from inside the armor is a humbling experience for me. Made all of the work building that costume worth it.
I like the smaller events more than t he big events. I get to interact more with the fans, and it doesn’t feel as rushed. The big events are great to get awareness and generate funds for the Charities, but the more intimate events are more enjoyable for me personally.