Starting Over, Building Momentum: ‘Firefly: Brand New Verse #1’ Review

Writer: Josh Lee Gordon / Artist: Fabiana Mascolo / Boom! Studios After the last issue of Firefly, which primed readers on the great jump to start of the “Brand New ‘Verse,” I was looking forward to see what direction the universe would take. The space western has left such a notable impact despite its disjointed single season and film, and it’s easy to see why. The characters are lovable and the universe is full of this rich lore about Earthern expansion and unrest. And this is what I will say: As a sequel series, it hits all the right nostalgic notes. As a stand-alone series (much like it’s protagonist Emma), there is room for growth and developing its own identity. Off jump, Gordon and Mascolo do take the opportunity to amend some of the world-building inconsistencies of the original series. The fact that we actually see an Asian lead and there is more of a direct influence of China in the world past lip-service leads is ultimately optimistic (one of my favorite things is how they don’t translate some of the dialog bubbles, instead letting the characters be on their own like they would in an audible conversation).

Mascolo’s artwork beautifully captures the rustic feeling of the series, and Firefly’s charm is still evident even this many years into the future. And visually, it looks like a Firefly that logically takes place in the future. The technology is ever slightly more sleek, the ship is every bit as beat up, and the first time we see Zoe, it’s very reminiscent of…