General Information

Title: Serenity #1
Author: story by Joss Whedon and Brett Matthews, with a Brett Matthews script.
Illustrator(s): Will Conrad (art), and Laura Martin (colors)
Original Publication Date: This issue hit shelves on Wednesday, July 13, 2005.
Cover Price: $2.99 US

Past comic reviews can be found here.

Premise

In what feels like the teaser and first act to a new episode of Firefly, Mal and crew try to escape a planet that becomes suddenly hostile after Mal, Jayne, and Zoe hit a snag while doing what they do best.

High Point

The Mal / Book interactions during the getaway.

Low Point

As this is based on a TV series I happen to be somewhat familiar with, I have very clear pictures in my head about what these characters should look like. Unfortunately, because of that, I have a hard time focusing on what's good about the art, and instead end up noticing the aspects that just don't quite look right, almost always in a character's face.

The Scores

As I said above, this feels like the next episode in the series, which doesn't help the originality much. We've got all the main characters from the series here, and a couple others we'll recognize that didn't make every episode. (Hint: you probably won't be recognizing them by their faces.) So far, it's just a good intro, but the ball hasn't really gotten rolling yet. I give it 3 out of 6.

The artwork strikes me as being worse than it really is, but the reasons I explained above. When Mal's chin sticks out too far, Zoe's forehead doesn't crinkle right, or some other detail is wrong, it jumps out. (Wash's looks really bug me, actually.) My insincts tell me it's worth a 3, but that could be my lack of objectivity, so I'll give it 4 out of 6.

The story, as I said, it just getting started. The last pages convince me that we'll have something significant take place by the end of issue three, and that fans will want to be in on it, but it's just not there yet. I give it 3 out of 6.

The characterization is what this is about. We learn enough about who these people are in this issue to introduce an unfamiliar reader to the group, and to remind the existing fans of one of the best elements of the series. I suspect that the story hasn't gotten started yet becuase of the time needed specifically to establish that characterization, and with that laid in place, the pace of things will pick up nicely when the next installment arrives. I give it 6 out of 6.

The emotional response gets an automatic boost from the "new Firefly!" reaction. The writing is just as good as the series was, with a high action intro to get things going, and a cliffhanger that will really get the existing fans pumped for the next issue. The trademark Whedon humour is present along the way, as well. I give it 6 out of 6.

The flow is smooth, with no significant timeline jumps, and only one significant location switch. I give it 5 out of 6.

Overall, it's a good introductory issue, but I don't expect it to be as good as the next two. This is about character introduction, not story instigation. I give it 4 out of 6.

In total, Serenity #1 receives 31 out of 42.