Firefly is one of my favorite TV shows, even though it didn’t last long. Luckily the movie was made, which brought so many surprises and shocks. But before that movie there are many other stories to tell, 2 of which were published as comic mini-series by Dark Horse.
Those Left Behind was done specifically to bridge the TV show and the movie. All the piece are put in place for the movie: Inara and Book leave, the blue hand guys are gone and the villain of the movie enters.
Apart from that, this has lots of fun stealing and banter, just like a TV episode. The big villain of the story is a character from the TV show that we thoguht was dead, Dobson. The usual relationships are explored here, although there isn’t any new development.
Overall it’s a nice story to read for fans, but it doesn’t add much to the overall series.
The second mini Better Days was a little better. The crew is presented with a new situation, because they are rich! This brings to a series of hilarious scenes about what they want to do with all that money. Mal and Zoe’s past also gets back to them, and a mysterious visit from the doc to Inara happens. Was that explored in the movie? Or is this a subplot for future stories?
The best part of this story is the final scene between Inara and Mal. It makes sense that Mal would do that, and that the only one who understands him is Inara. They are just made for each other.
The art by Will Conrad is good, he manages to give the right appearance to the characters, while keeping a dynamic flow of the panels.
I sure hope there will be future Serenity stories, but I wish they would take place after the movie. As fun as these stories are, they don’t really tell us anything new about these characters. If a story is to take place in the past, at least let it tell something new about their past, even secret origins (especially Book).
But the best would be to continue where the movie left off. I am not holding out hope for a movie sequel, so I really don’t mind having that story as a comic. As long as Joss is involved in it, I am happy with it.