Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Writer: Zack Whedon
Artist: Georges Jeanty
Release Date: 28th May 2014

I read an article a few days back that argued rather strongly against Firefly making a return. Poisuo’s point is that it’s built up too much in fans’ heads, and cites the return of Futurama as an example of a fanbase enshrining something so high up that when it does make a comeback, it’s just never as good. Even if Joss Whedon were to knock it out the park,

If Leaves on the Wind is anything to go by, Firefly continues to be absolutely immune to this conceit. And this isn’t even being written by Whedon Prime. Who knows what could be pulled off, given that one’s new-found sway, and eminent style, if it were to return to our screens. And it’s hardly like Zak is doing a bad job here.

Firmly entrenched in the third act, the promise of an absolutely blinding denouement is followed through on here – we’re treated to a huge dose of really rather cathartic action: a full-on confrontation between our new Browncoats and the evil Alliance, each with their own version of the psychotic psychic, one fixed, the other still broken. Quite how good it is still relies wholly on your being familiar with the series – nothing’s changed, and this issue will still not sway you ‘round if you weren’t already.

And to finally give some genuine, nergasm-y credit to Georges Jeanty, herein are three pages that’re so genuinely terrific, I may have actually hooted with joy at it. A vast, sprawling two-page spread of ballsy action, that’s preceded by a moment of calm and ostensible defeat that’s so beautifully pencilled and written I actually got shivers. We were wrong to doubt you, Georges, and we’re sorry!

Still striking a deft balance between fan-service and actually getting an excellent new story told, this series continues to be an absolute treat for Browncoats everywhere. Throw your money at it, soon as it comes out. One score this month:

Rating: 5/5.

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The writer of this piece was: Ross Sweeney
Ross tweets from @Rostopher24