Serenity: Float Out (One-Shot)

I should admit right up front that I'm a big fan of both the TV show Firefly and its film sequel Serenity, and I'd love to see more stories in that universe from creator Joss Whedon. (And if you somehow missed those productions, you owe it to yourself to track 'em down - NetFlix, online, whatever works. You can thank me later.)

Since the next film still seems to be a ways off (I'm not getting any younger, people), we can still visit that world through the auspices of Dark Horse and the occasional comic book or mini-series.

This issue, titled Serenity: Float Out, is something of an odd duck. First of all, it's written by Patton Oswalt, who's better known as a comedian and an actor (he also provided the lead voice in the Pixar film Ratatouille).

But don't let that put you off - it's a well-written, clever one-shot issue that focuses on one of my favorite members of the crew of the Serenity - its pilot, Wash. (Though you should be warned that this issue gives away certain key events in the film Serenity.)

You may be thrown at first because the issue features three previously-unknown (at least to me) friends of Wash, sharing stories about his exploits as a pilot (and that's about as close to a gripe as I get with this comic).

And you'll definitely want to catch the surprise on the final page (no, it's not that).

The art by Patric Reynolds (with colors by Dave Stewart) is quite good, with a rough, lived-in look (which is very much in keeping with the Firefly universe). And if the likenesses aren't always spot-on, they're mighty close.

So it's a solid story with lots of action and some touching moments - well worth checking out, especially if you're a fan of the series.

As this issue demonstrates, there are still lots of stories to be told with the cast and crew of the Serenity. Keep 'em coming, y'all!

Grade: B+