Boom! Studios Reviews: Firefly #19
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Lalit Kumar Sharma
Colorist: Francesco Segala
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Reviewer: Tony Farina
Summary
The whole ‘Verse turns upside down when outlaw-turned-sheriff Mal Reynolds jails his former crew members-and then is confronted by a brand new outlaw determined to bust them out! Who is this new Bandit King and why does he seem so determined to take Mal’s old position as the most incorrigibly independent law-bender around?
Positives
Firefly #19, much like the previous issue and the one before that and so on has been drawn by Lalit Kumar Sharma who, for the record, has something special going on in his corner of the Verse. I really love to spend time just looked at the way the lines seem to go nowhere, but somehow manage to make something beautiful. Of course, Segala’s colors, or sparse use of colors, just makes it all that much better. Take a look below. Kaylee’s shirt stands out in this bleak corner of the Verse. I really think it is so well done.
Greg Pak, once again, proves why he is just the person for the job to be in command of Serenity. I have laughed out load at least once and often more during each and every issue. This month, Inara says something perfectly true, in front of Mal, and his reaction is priceless. It is so good.
Negatives
Firefly #19 suffers the way that some of the other issues in this otherwise beautiful series suffer. The team is split up. I don’t like that. Sure, Jayne and Kaylee are here and I suspect I know who the Bandit King is and I suspect it is a member of the crew, but I just miss them. I re-read the legacy book last week and I was reminded how much better it is when they are together.
Verdict
Firefly #19 is a beautiful work of art plain and simple. Every page is a magnificent visual feast. I laugh. I hold my breath. I spend hours thinking about what could possibly be happening next. Pak is playing a long game with us in year two and I suspect, we won’t really know how it all comes together until issue 24. I am OK with that. The ride is not bumpy and the more time I can spend in the Verse, the better. I love that Mal is actually, maybe, possibly trying to be a real big damn hero in this arc. I for one, think he can do it.
