Firefly #17 Review
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Lalit Kumar Sharma
Colours: Francesco Segala
Letters: Jim Campbell
The Firefly comic is really suffering now from the absence of the Serenity crew. The banter and comraderie between the crew was the real success behind the TV series, and the comic has spent far too long with the crew separate and focusing mostly on Mal. Firefly was never Mal’s story. Nor was it under any illusions that it was. The comic on the other hand seems to feel that he’s the main character. This issue only features Mal, Boss Moon and Inara. And while it’s great that the Firefly ‘Verse is expanding by introducing new characters, it shouldn’t be at the expense of existing characters. Especially considering that the comic series occurs between Firefly ending but before the events in Serenity. Perhaps if it was set after the events of Serenity there might be a bit more scope for the way things are unfolding, and the crew separating.
It’s not all bad however as Inara gets her spot in the limelight. She’s been sadly underutilised throughout the comics series so it’s nice to see Greg Pak reminding the reader just how dangerous the companions are in the Firefly ‘Verse. It also appears that Pak is preparing to reunite the Serenity crew again, fingers crossed it happens in the next issue.
The story-arcs in Booms! Firefly ‘verse seem a lot too long as well. A staple of the TV series would be the twist where an unexpected problem shows up just as our heroes seem to be winning the day, and this is something that Pak has carried over into the comic series. The problem is it feels like there are too many of them, and they occur just as it feels like the storyline is wrapping up. Rather than making the reader gasp in shock and desperately await the next issue it’s beginning to feel like each story-arc is overlong.
After an absence in last months issue Lalit Kumar Sharma is back on art duties, throwing in his own particular style which is being synonymous with Firefly. It stands out from the crowd and gives Firefly an instantly recognisable identity which is in keeping with the sci-fi western vibe of the show. There’s a great moment between Mal and Moon where they’re discussing the ‘Verse and Sharma manages to capture the beauty of space perfectly for that moment.
Francesco Segala’s colours compliment Sharma’s style and produces a variety of vibrant planets and settings, instantly different from each other. We have the darkness of space contrasting with explosions, barren red planets interspersed with futuristic sci-fi buildings, all vividly coloured.
It’s not a bad series but Greg Pak has spent too long with the crew separated, he can’t quite catch Joss Whedon’s magic, and while it’s likely this will be the only return to the Firefly ‘Verse for fans it doesn’t quite live up to the TV series. Pak has shown he can do it though, he gets so much right, but can’t quite seem to pull it all together to produce a comic that lives up to its TV series. It’s a welcome return of Lalit Kumar Sharma who helps to give the Firefly comic its own unique identity.
Artist: Lalit Kumar Sharma
Colours: Francesco Segala
Letters: Jim Campbell
The Firefly comic is really suffering now from the absence of the Serenity crew. The banter and comraderie between the crew was the real success behind the TV series, and the comic has spent far too long with the crew separate and focusing mostly on Mal. Firefly was never Mal’s story. Nor was it under any illusions that it was. The comic on the other hand seems to feel that he’s the main character. This issue only features Mal, Boss Moon and Inara. And while it’s great that the Firefly ‘Verse is expanding by introducing new characters, it shouldn’t be at the expense of existing characters. Especially considering that the comic series occurs between Firefly ending but before the events in Serenity. Perhaps if it was set after the events of Serenity there might be a bit more scope for the way things are unfolding, and the crew separating.
It’s not all bad however as Inara gets her spot in the limelight. She’s been sadly underutilised throughout the comics series so it’s nice to see Greg Pak reminding the reader just how dangerous the companions are in the Firefly ‘Verse. It also appears that Pak is preparing to reunite the Serenity crew again, fingers crossed it happens in the next issue.
The story-arcs in Booms! Firefly ‘verse seem a lot too long as well. A staple of the TV series would be the twist where an unexpected problem shows up just as our heroes seem to be winning the day, and this is something that Pak has carried over into the comic series. The problem is it feels like there are too many of them, and they occur just as it feels like the storyline is wrapping up. Rather than making the reader gasp in shock and desperately await the next issue it’s beginning to feel like each story-arc is overlong.
After an absence in last months issue Lalit Kumar Sharma is back on art duties, throwing in his own particular style which is being synonymous with Firefly. It stands out from the crowd and gives Firefly an instantly recognisable identity which is in keeping with the sci-fi western vibe of the show. There’s a great moment between Mal and Moon where they’re discussing the ‘Verse and Sharma manages to capture the beauty of space perfectly for that moment.
Francesco Segala’s colours compliment Sharma’s style and produces a variety of vibrant planets and settings, instantly different from each other. We have the darkness of space contrasting with explosions, barren red planets interspersed with futuristic sci-fi buildings, all vividly coloured.
It’s not a bad series but Greg Pak has spent too long with the crew separated, he can’t quite catch Joss Whedon’s magic, and while it’s likely this will be the only return to the Firefly ‘Verse for fans it doesn’t quite live up to the TV series. Pak has shown he can do it though, he gets so much right, but can’t quite seem to pull it all together to produce a comic that lives up to its TV series. It’s a welcome return of Lalit Kumar Sharma who helps to give the Firefly comic its own unique identity.
A Look Inside
