Writer Zack Whedon and artist Georges Jeanty continue to show off their excellent “piloting” skills by pushing Serenity: Leaves on the Wind to even more impressive heights in Issue #4! As we cross the halfway mark for the limited series continuing the official canon adventures of the crew of the Serenity, the quality of Leaves on the Wind continues to be on par with the beloved TV series and film, proving once again that Dark Horse Comics is the true master when it comes to creating comics based on licensed properties.
MINOR SPOILERS BELOW
The Good:
The Operative is the “Spike” of the series! I was super excited about the appearance in last issue of The Operative (portrayed in Serenity by the uber-talented actor Chiwetel Ejiofor), but the payoff of adding this rich character to the mix seems to be just starting to pay off. The character is an awesome addition to the main cast of characters and brings a dual level of tension and charisma, smacking of the freshness of the fourth season decision to add the snarky vampire, Spike, as a season regular on Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Jeanty’s art. Georges Jeanty is rockin’ this series, with his art and likenesses seeming to improve with every single issue! There are several moments Jeanty knocks out of the park in this issue, including a beautiful image featuring a straight-on angle that looks Captain Tightpants directly in the eyes. (Fangirls and fanboys swoon in unison.)
Zoe delivers a satisfying ass-kicking in prison. It’s been a while since Zoe has got to flex those muscles, and, boy, does she flex them!
Time for an Operative vs. Operative sword duel! Whedon and Jeanty are channeling some Jedi-like mojo here. I’ve got to keep this spoiler-lite (Alliance regulations and all), but let me say that Issue #5 should include a hell of a sword battle!
Vera comes through. Jayne must be so proud. In all honesty, though, its the small moments like this that make Serenity: Leaves on the Wind feel like another episode of our beloved TV series that was cancelled far too early.
Terrifying things coming next issue! We always knew that the Alliance attempted to turn River into some sort of weapon (nothing in the ‘Verse can stop her), but it looks like we’re finally about to find out what the completed “experiment” looks like. I’ve got a bad feeling about this . . . and how about that scene with Early? All I can say is, does that seem right to you?
The Bad:
No Chinese. It was recently pointed out during a Dark Horse Comics panel at WonderCon that there’s no use of Chinese within Serenity: Leaves on the Wind. While I understand the point made regarding how that “bit” doesn’t work as well in the sequential art form, I would have preferred that Whedon still throw in a few examples as to remind us that the Chinese language and its prominent use by the lower class still exists as part of this world. It may not be as powerful a tool as on the Firefly TV series or the Serenity film, but it could still work in this medium, and it deserves to be there.
FINAL VERDICT: Every issue of this series has been a MUST READ so far, and Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #4 does nothing but raise the bar on the previous issues. The plot/action are kicking into high gear, and big things should be happening in the final two issues left! Get out there and pre-order these books, if you haven’t already. It’s up to you, my fellow Browncoats!
Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #4 will be released this Wednesday, April 30th, 2014.
For more info on the series and to read a free preview of the first issue, stop by the official Dark Horse Comics website. You can also check out my review of the first three issues of Serenity: Leaves on the Wind at the link below:
‘Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #3’ – Advance Comic Book Review (Nothing in the ‘Verse Can Stop This Series)
‘Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #2’ – Advance Comic Book Review (Still Flying Steady)
‘Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #1’ – Advance Comic Book Review [About Gorram Time (and Thanks a Bunch, Joss & Co.)]
That’s all for now, comic book sniffers. Keep on course, and we’ll rendezvous at the next friendly outpost in about a month!
’Till the end of the world,
Bryant the Comic Book Slayer
@ComicBookSlayer
