There are things I like about this miniseries. Of course, it goes without saying that there are things I don’t like as well, the biggest being the necessity of this story. Better Days takes place sometime before the last episode of Firefly “Objects in Space” and well before the movie Serenity. This brings up the issue of why the series is now called Firefly instead of Serenity, seeing as this comic deals more with the show than the movie based upon it, but that’s probably a legal thing.
No, my chief concern would have to be what is best for the franchise - sure, keeping the name and characters around is swell, but for what purpose? There are so many rumors about one-shots and other Serenity miniseries, but those would just be the proverbial mortally wounded deer still trying to limp along.
Better Days deals with the crew finding a hoard of cash and deciding how they want to live their now rich lives. Of course, the people killed in Serenity are here, but because this takes place before the movie this story is of no consequence to the movie’s events. It’s great to have them back and Whedon writing a great story, but there is little need for it. The major questions about the show were answered in the movie, Shepard Book withstanding, but that will be cleared up eventually in comic form.
Really, Book’s origin is the only story left that needs telling. You can keep using the characters, that’s shiny, but ultimatley what is the point? What needs to happen is Dark Horse keeping Serenity as a monthly series, just like Whedon is doing with Buffy and Angel. But, the title would only be good under Whedon’s watchful eye, and I’d venture to guess the reason this hasn’t happened already is because he is more concerned with his new TV project, Dollhouse and the proposed Buffy spin-off Ripper. Of course, Firefly should come back to TV, and maybe one day Sci-Fi will get their act together and stop making crappy B-movies and pick it up.
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Image courtesy Dark Horse
Matt Knicl: My name is Matt Knicl. I'm a U of I alumn and one of those unemployed English majors Garrison Keillor likes to make fun of. I've been reading comics since high school and one day I would like to write them. My goal is to expose readers to what is out there in the world of comics and using my English powers, show what is worth reading or not. I can be reached at buzz.comics@gmail.com.
Comments
Matt Knicl (Matt Knicl) says:
(Posted March 18th, 2008 at 3:48 pm)
As much as I liked Wash, I can live without him. Each time a Scooby bit the dust, I remember crying into the heavens, but then after the next episode I was back in, probably in love with the next character. I’ll always be pissed about Doyle, though.
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Buzz Magazine
Matt Knicl
My name is Matt Knicl. I'm a U of I alumn and one of those unemployed English majors Garrison Keillor likes to make fun of. I've been reading comics since high school and one day I would like to write them. My goal is to expose readers to what is out there in the world of comics and using my English powers, show what is worth reading or not. I can be reached at buzz.comics@gmail.com.
Fairfield (Fairfield) says:
(Posted March 18th, 2008 at 2:28 pm)
All must kneel in deference to the holinesss that is Firefly/Serenity.
I have an idea that perhaps they are writing this to sort of have a positive way to end the main storyline. Serenity, as awesometastic as it was, ended on sort of a bummer (Why, Wash, Why???).
I imagine that they will be keeping an eye on the sales of this to gauge if it can garner the rabid following of the Buffy/Angel comics. Perhaps seeing if a Season Two series would be viable.
Though if they brought Firefly back to T.V. it would be worse off without Wash and Book. (Not saying it wouldn’t be good, mind you).