Review: Firefly #16

At this point, we have had more installments of this Firefly comic series than we ever got on any screen. With this series continuing to soar, each issue is a reward of great character work and action for long-time fans. The largest challenge with this series is giving us stories which feel fresh but still fit in the time period between the television series and film. Greg Pak handles this quite well by creating an entirely separate context for our heroes. Mal spends most of his time off ship as Sheriff of the Georgia Space Sector. The growing threat of the Blue Sun Corporation continues to play all sides. The Chang Benitez Gang continue to tie the crew to their lawless roots.

Kaylee, Jane and Benitez are attacked by a mysterious villain. Boss Moon helps Mal and his crew deduce the attacker is coming for the Firefly crew for personal reasons. Mal and Boss Moon face down a Union riot, but Mal turns the tables to help the crowd by forcing the Blue Sun representative to pay them severance. Meanwhile, Inara investigates the murders through her clients even as the mysterious villain tracks her.

The art throughout the issue by Ramon Bachs and colors by Joana LaFuente are exactly right for this property. The characters are recognizable and distinct, the use of shadows creates an ominous villain, and the issue transitions well though different scenarios and locations. Kaylee“s appearance isn“t quite right but the rest of the characters look exactly as you“d want them.

The sole problem with this series is that it remains very Mal and Inara centered. It would serve the series well to spend an arc with some of the other characters. That likely won“t happen soon, and it almost makes sense to have a separate series to give the other characters a spotlight. One of the best things about this series was how many well rounded characters it gave us. The fact that we barely get to see one of the greatest couples in Sci-Fi history in the comic is a shame.

This issue is a well done continuation to a great arc. Blue Sun is a great villainous corporate monster and it will be interesting to see how the crew navigate both sides of this conflict and take on our mystery assassin. Pak and Bachs have a momentum with this series that hasn“t been seen with Firefly since the original television show. It“s a remarkable feat that they are able to take such a great series and adjust it to something all its own.

Writing: 4.5 of 5 stars
Artwork: 4 of 5 stars
Colors: 4 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.2 of 5 stars

Writer: Greg Pak
Art: Ramon Bachs
Colors: Joana Lafuente
Publisher: BOOM Studios

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.