Comic Review: Firefly #1

Firefly #1

Boom! Studios

Writer: Greg Pak

Artist: Dan McDaid

“Find a crew, find a job, keep flying.”

Those words are just so comforting to me. As many know, Firefly is a beloved show that was unfairly canceled after just one season. After that, fans were given the film Serenity for closure, which managed to accomplish its job. Kind of. Browncoats everywhere would love the opportunity to see the Serenity fly again.

Firefly #1 isn’t the first comic series based on the television series. Dark Horse published a few miniseries While the comics were fine, they never quite scratched that itch for me. Serenity: Leaves on the Wind was the most noteworthy miniseries, as it continued from where the film left off. Still, I wanted more.

Now, BOOM! Studios has a hold of the brand, and Firefly #1 is the start of a new era for Firefly comics. Writer Greg Pak seems to have a knack for these characters as he manages to perfectly capture the usual banter of the crew. The issue opens up with a crisis on the ship as Mal and Wash go back and forth about a fire. The crew shines as they handle the crisis in familiar ways – Jayne insists nothing is his fault, Zoe remains the voice of reason, while Kaylee is forced to do the dirty work. It’s a fun bit that feels like it is straight out of the original series.

Throughout the issue, Firefly #1 reads like an episode script. Pak nails the comedy and drama of the series, ensuring that this feels like Firefly. While the characters and plot are enjoyable, the issue is a bit too wordy, getting bogged down on explanations that just don’t feel natural. Fortunately, the new story and wonderful characters keep this one enjoyable.

Artist Dan McDaid draws a good looking issue that doesn’t offend in any way. I’ll admit that a few characters, especially Jayne, don’t quite appear as their television counterparts. Usually, I wouldn’t have an issue with this, but when the characters act and sound like their original selves, it’s difficult to separate. The art is full of bold lines that capture the dirty feel of the planets. Bright colors help to truly complete the tone. The brief moments of flashbacks have a solid use of red that allows the reader to feel the memories that haunt Mal.

Firefly #1 is familiar but comforting. In many ways, it feels like a script from the original series. While Pak gets bogged down by a few wordy panels, this issue has everything that we love about Firefly.