Serenity (comics)
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Several comic book miniseries have been released under the Serenity title, set in the fictional universe created for Joss Whedon's Firefly television series and Serenity film.
Written by Joss Whedon and Brett Matthews, and illustrated by Will Conrad, the first miniseries, Those Left Behind, was created as a bridge between the events of the series and film. Those Left Behind was popular: the first issue was the highest-selling comic published by Dark Horse Comics until the release of Buffy Season 8 in 2007, while the trade paperback is still one of the highest ranking items by sale quantity from that company. In early 2008, a second miniseries was released. Titled Better Days, it was set before Those Left Behind, with the storyline based around a heist that went in the characters' favour. A third miniseries, The Shepherd's Tale is planned for late 2008, and will tell the story of Shepherd Book's past.
Reaction to the comics has been mixed: while widely accepted by fans of the cancelled television series and movie, several reviews have commented that the comics are inaccessible to those without this prerequesite knowledge. So far, both miniseries have been three-issue runs, and have retailed for US$2.99.
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[edit] History
Whedon invited Brett Matthews to co-write a story to bridge the series and the film.[1] Matthews had previously worked as Whedon's assistant on several Buffy, Angel, and Firefly episodes, and had written the script for Firefly episode "Heart of Gold".[2]
According to Matthews, Those Left Behind was originally an anime project, but difficulties led to the story being released in comic form.[1]
Dark Horse Comics senior editor Scott Allie was supportive of the Serenity comics from the beginning.[1]
The second limited series was announced by Dirk Wood of Dark Horse Comics during WonderCon 2006.[3] Whedon, Matthews, and Conrad were again involved.[4]
[edit] Miniseries
All of the mini-series are intended to exist within the same fictional continuity as the television series and movie.[1]
[edit] Those Left Behind
| Serenity: Those Left Behind | |
 Cover of the trade paperback. Art by Adam Hughes. |
|
| Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
|---|---|
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Limited series |
| Publication date | July 20, 2005 - Issue #1 August ??, 2005 - Issue #2 September 9, 2005 - Issue #3 |
| Main character(s) | Main characters |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Joss Whedon and Brett Matthews |
| Artist(s) | Will Conrad |
| Letterer(s) | Michael Heisler |
| Colorist(s) | Laura Martin |
| Collected editions | |
| Trade paperback | ISBN 1-59307-449-2 |
| Hardcover | ISBN |
Serenity: Those Left Behind is a three-issue limited series, created in 2005 as a tie-in to the film Serenity. The series was written by Joss Whedon and Brett Matthews, illustrated by Will Conrad, lettered by Michael Heisler, and colored by Laura Martin.
The story is set between the Firefly series and the film, and was intended to bridge the two and lead into the movie.[1] It is used to set up the beginning of the film by depicting Inara's departure and Book's intention to leave the ship, introduces several characters important to Serenity’s storyline, including The Operative and Mingo and Fanty, and resolves the Hands of Blue plotline.
The comic also re-introduces Lawrence Dobson, an Alliance agent who was (apparently) killed by Mal in the Firefly pilot episode. Whedon had always planned to bring back Dobson, but did not have the opportunity before the series was cancelled.[5]
[edit] Plot summary
The first issue begins with Shepherd Book giving a sermon on a border-planet town, which Mal, Zoe, and Jayne use as cover for a bank heist. The heist is interruped by a rival crew, working for Mingo and Fanty, who in the ensuing firefight escape with the money, while a grenade explosion draws the townsfolk. Book steals a vehicle to collect the others, while Wash and Kaylee use Serenity to knock over a water tower to stun the pursuing townsfolk. Back aboard the ship, Inara reminds Mal that she is leaving Serenity. Meanwhile, on Whitefall, the Hands of Blue appear and kill the bodyguard of the man they want to see.
Issue #2 continues with the Hands of Blue, and reveals that the man they seek is Lawrence Dobson, who fires a warning shot at the Hands. The Hands reveal that they and Dobson are seeking the same thing: Serenity. Dobson clarifies that he only wants Mal, and that he has a plan to do it, but could use the Hands' assistance. On Persephone, Serenity's crew encounter Badger, and after taking out his bodyguards, bring him aboard to discuss the failed heist. Badget talks of a major space battle during the war, which he claims was over a shipload of cash. The crew dump Badger and discuss the job, during which Inara demands that she be taken to her destination first, and after Mal refuses, he and Book have an argument which results in the shepherd punching Mal. Serenity arrives at the debris field from the battle, and while Mal, Zoe, and Jayne investigate one of the ships, the Hands of Blue find Serenity.
Issue #3 begins by depicting Mal, Zoe, and Jayne as they search the ship for the money, while the small craft used by the Hands of Blue sneaks up and docks with Serenity's underside.River Tam, sensing the presence of the Hands, tries to drug herself with several doses of anesthetic, before revealing to Simon and Inara that something is wrong with Serenity's 'belly'. Mal and company reach the coordinates supplied by Badger, and encounter the waiting Dobson and his group. Mal kills Dobson in the ensuing firefight, then shoots him again to ensure he is dead. At the same time, Kaylee and Simon investigate the underside cargo hatch, and find the Hands of Blue trying to break in. Simon, Kaylee, and Book hold off the Hands, while Wash flies through the debris field to try and scrape the Hands' ship off. Mal, Zoe, and Jayne are collected at speed, before Wash destroys the pursuing ship by going to 'full burn'. Inara is delivered to her destination, although Mal is unable to say goodbye. Later, when in space, Book announces to Mal that he intends to leave Serenity. The comic ends with The Operative retrieving the remains of the Hands, and accepting the assignment to locate River.
[edit] Covers
Each issue was released with three different covers, so that over the course of the series each main character would be depicted. Each cover was illustrated by a different artist, with the characters depicted against a white background for consistency.[6]
| Issue | Character | Artist | Cover (external link) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issue #1 | Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds | John Cassaday | [1] |
| Jayne Cobb | Bryan Hitch | [2] | |
| Inara Serra | J.G. Jones | [3] | |
| Issue #2 | Shepherd Derrial Book | Tim Bradstreet | [4] |
| Kaylee Frye | Jo Chen | [5] | |
| Zoe Washburne | Joe Quesada | [6] | |
| Issue #3 | Hoban "Wash" Washburne | Sean Phillips | [7] |
| Simon Tam | Leinil Francis Yu | [8] | |
| River Tam | Joshua Middleton | [9] |
Two collections have been released, both with new cover art. The first, published in January 2006, featured Mal and Inara on the cover, with Serenity taking off in the background. The second, a hardcover collection released in October 2007 featured Mal, Zoe, and Jayne on the cover. The original nine covers appear in both releases as chapter dividers.
[edit] Better Days
| Serenity: Better Days | |
 Combined triptych coverart |
|
| Publisher | Dark Horse Comics |
|---|---|
| Schedule | Monthly |
| Format | Limited series |
| Publication date | March 12, 2008 - Issue #1 April 9, 2008 - Issue #2 May 14, 2008 - Issue #3 |
| Main character(s) | Main characters |
| Creative team | |
| Writer(s) | Joss Whedon and Brett Matthews |
| Artist(s) | Will Conrad |
| Letterer(s) | Michael Heisler |
| Colorist(s) | Michelle Madsen |
| Collected editions | |
| Trade paperback | ISBN |
| Hardcover | ISBN |
The second three-issue miniseries, Serenity: Better Days, began in March 2008. Whedon, Matthews, Conrad, and Heisler returned, but colourist Laura Martin was replaced by Michelle Madsen. Unlike the previous series, Adam Hughes illustrated the three covers, each of which depicts three of the nine cast members, and together form a triptych.
Again, the mini-series is set between the series and the film. However, Better Days is set before the events of Those Left Behind, in order to have all the characters aboard the ship, and to better capture the "heart and status quo -- in as much as there even is one -- of the [television] series".[1] The comic sees the crew of Serenity pulling off a successful job, which results in unexpected wealth and the related complications.[4][1]
[edit] Plot summary
Issue #1 opens with an unnamed man presenting a new automated security drone, and setting it up for a demonstration. It cuts to Mal, Zoe, and Jayne robbing an art gallery, with Simon advising on the value of the works. While trying to escape in a delivery van, the four attract the attention of the security drone, which chases them down a highway and destroys the van, with the thieves using their hovercraft 'Mule' to escape. The chase is interspersed with the drone operator's commentary on the drone's capabilities, until Mal leads it into a trap. Kaylee disables the drone, which is the Serenity crew's actual target. Meanwhile, Inara is with a client; Ephraim, an Alliance special operations agent tasked with hunting down Independant terrorists known as 'Dust Devils'. Mal delivers the drone to his client, and in exchange for the vital component, the man tells them of a stash of money hidden in a temple by a gang whose members killed each other before they could collect it. The crew retrieve the cash without incident, excluding a monk who recognises Jayne as the Hero of Canton. Following their escape, Mal checks the money and realises it is significantly more than they expected.
The second issue shows the fantasies of several of the characters as to what they would do with unlimeted wealth, while they take a vacation on a luxury world. Inara, after arranging to meet a client, asks Mal about the Dust Devils, while Ephraim briefs his team to take down Mal. The drone operator tortures Mal's client to find Serenity's location. Mal and his crew foil a robbery at the resort, after which Mal and Zoe not the landing of an Alliance special ops ship, with Mal theorising that the ship belongs to Ephraim, and that he's after the Dust Devils. On going to investigate Inara's shuttle, Mal sees Simon leave, before he is knocked unconscious.
[edit] A Shepherd's Tale
During the 2007 Browncoat Cruise, a Firefly convention held aboard a cruise ship, Ron Glass announced (with Whedon's permission) several pieces of Shepherd Derrial Book's backstory, as well as that Book was to be the focus of the third miniseries: A Shepherd's Tale.[7] The comic was later confirmed by Scott Allie, senior editor at Dark Horse Comics, who stated in the letters section of Serenity: Better Days #1 that a comic based on Book's past was slated for a late 2008 release.[8]
[edit] Reaction
According to Dark Horse Comics, the trade paperback of Those Left Behind had sold 85,000 copies as of October 2007.[9][4] Sales data from Baker & Taylor lists the trade paperback of Those Left Behind as the most popular graphic novel not published by Marvel or DC Comics between June and December 2006,[10] while Diamond Comic Distributors listed Those Left Behind as the 49th highest selling graphic novel in 2007 by units sold, although the retail ranking was only 187th.[11] It was the third-highest selling Dark Horse graphic novel in 2007, behind a hardcover edition of 300 (5th on the Diamond list) and the Buffy Season 8: The Long Way Home trade paperback (30th).[11] Scott Allie claims that Those Left Behind was significantly more popular than expected, and that Issue #1 of Those Left Behind was the highest selling comic published by Dark Horse until the first issue of Buffy Season 8.[9] Issues #1 and #2 had to be reprinted during the original release run to meet demand,[citation needed] and the success of Those Left Behind prompted Whedon to go ahead with Buffy Season 8.[citation needed]
Most reviews for both Serenity miniseries state that while enjoyable and rewarding to fans of the televison series and movie, the comic is unsuited for uninitiated readers.[12][13] One review pans the lack of background and plot in Those Left Behind, while praising the artwork and commenting that the comic has an "aura of character study" that fans will enjoy.[14]Another recommended that those unfamiliar with the background and the characters would be better off acquiring the series and movie before reading the comic.[13]
Despite requests from fans, Joss Whedon has stated that Serenity is unlikely to be released as a regular publication series.[15] He believes that the pacing and storyarc structure he created for Firefly would work poorly as a regular series, and unlike the monthly-issued Buffy Season 8 comic series, does not have the wealth of background material generated by seven seasons of television.[15] However, Dark Horse senior editor Scott Allie wants to produce new miniseries on a more regular basis, reducing the three-year wait between Those Left Behind and Better Days.[15]
[edit] See also
[edit] Notes and references
- ^ a b c d e f g Furey, Emmett (2008-03-07). Old Friends: Matthews talks "Serenity: Better Days". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
- ^ Brett Matthews (II). IMDb. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
- ^ Wondercon '06: Dark Horse Panel. Whedonesque (2006-02-12). Retrieved on 2006-06-30.
- ^ a b c Serenity: Better Days #1 (of 3). Darkhorse.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-14.
- ^ Firefly: The Official Companion - Volume One, pg 13
- ^ Schedeen, Jesse (2008-04-07). Serenity: Better Days Interview (first page, second page). IGN. Retrieved on 2008-04-08.
- ^ Ron Glass announces “A Shepherd’s Tale” comic, reveals (some) secrets. Serenitystuff.org - News blog (2007-12-12). Retrieved on 2008-04-13.
- ^ Allie, Scott (March 2008). Transmissions from the Cortex. In Whedon, Joss & Matthews, Brett, Serenity: Better Days #1. Milwaukie: Dark Horse Comics.
- ^ a b Moss, Wil (2007-10-23). Buffy Season 8 - the Shape of Things to Come?. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
- ^ "Graphic Novels" (February 2007). Library Journal 132 (2): 110. ISSN 03630277.
- ^ a b Diamond' 2007 year end sales charts and market share report. Newsarama.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
- ^ Davis, Frank (2008-03-09). Serenity: Better Days #1 (Advance Reviews). Fractal Matter. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
- ^ a b Optimous Douche (2008-03-19). AICN Comics reviews spectacular Spidey cartoon! Wonder Woman! Serenity! And more! > Serenity: Better Days #1. Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved on 2008-04-08.
- ^ Coleman, Tina (February 2006). "Those Left Behind: Serenity 1". Booklist 102 (11): 41. ISSN 00067385.
- ^ a b c Moss, Wil (2007-11-06). Whedon can't get enough Serenity. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved on 2008-04-18.
[edit] External links
- Firefly-Serenity Chinese Pinyinary - Translations of the comics' Chinese text.
- Making of a comic: Serenity Better Days #1 (Flash) - Flash animation showing how the first six pages of Better Days #1 evolved from a plain script to the end product.
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