This month brings the final issue of Dark Horse Comics’ Serenity: No Power in the ‘Verse, written by Chris Roberson and featuring the art of Georges Jeanty, in what will surely be a bittersweet ending for fans who’ve been following along.
SPOILERS BELOW
Serenity: No Power in the ‘Verse #6 picks up with Mal and company making their final moves to rescue River and Iris from their Alliance captors. While Mal certainly gets his ass well kicked by the Operative he’s facing, he’s able to serve as a distraction long enough for the rest of his team to complete their necessary duties, but not before some disaster strikes on several levels, both big picture and personal.
Roberson’s script for the final issue certainly has some delicious moments, but, as has been consistent throughout Serenity: No Power in the ‘Verse, there are major portions and plot elements that feel rehashed and derivative of the Serenity’s previous adventures on the big and small screen (Mal facing an operative in the final hand-to-hand battle, Jayne whining that they should’ve brought grenades, etc.). The real “meat” of this issue are the many fractures that occur between members of the main cast of characters by the end of the miniseries. While it feels a bit contrived, the revelation of Inara’s involvement in the Alliance’s massacre at Fiddler’s Green puts a predictable, yet believable, wedge between her and Mal. Perhaps intensified by his anger at Inara, Mal’s assertion that the Alliance “needs to go” and they’re the ones to do it certainly divides the crew in regards to concerns about what that means and where it will lead. And, finally, Zoe’s decision to cut River out of her and her baby’s life due to the danger River represents comes off as very organic, real, and, boy, does it sting like the dickens!
Serenity: No Power in the ‘Verse #6 ends the series with two absolutely gorgeous covers from both Dan Dos Santos and Georges Jeanty. Jeanty’s cover is particularly engaging, featuring an almost Drew Struzan-esque layout of the crew of the Serenity and is so bold and cinematic. I’m sure Serenity fans will be keeping their finger crossed that they can get a print of the image to adorn their walls. Jeanty, of course, also nails the interiors of the final issue, remaining a consistent boon to the book. Furthermore, it’s not often that images of one specific character stand out in a single issue, but Jeanty’s depictions of Inara are spot on and absolutely beautiful in this issue.
FINAL VERDICT: While I obviously wouldn’t recommend this as a good starting point for those who haven’t been following the series, those who have been along for the ride will certainly want to pick up their copy of Serenity: No Power in the ‘Verse #6. The good far outweighs the bad in this finale, and while the ending is a bit more of a whimper than a bang, it does hint heavily at more Serenity comics to come. (Let’s hope they bring Jeanty back once again!)
For more info on the series, stop by the official Dark Horse Comics website.
That’s all for now, comic book sniffers.
’Till the end of the world,
Bryant the Comic Book Slayer
@ComicBookSlayer
