Writer Zack Whedon and artist Georges Jeanty continue to be “big, damn heroes” to Browncoats everywhere this month by supplying us with another excellent issue of Serenity: Leaves on the Wind. The third issue of this series ratchets up the plot even more, pitting Mal and his crew against their old enemy, Jubal Early, and forcing our desperate characters to turn to a figure from the past in a last-ditch attempt for help against the almighty Alliance. Things couldn’t be more tense or exciting . . . it’s a mighty fine time to be a Serenity fan, isn’t it?
MINOR SPOILERS BELOW
Make no mistake, Serenity: Leaves on the Wind is (so far) a fantastically enjoyable and fulfilling series for anyone still in love with Mal’s ragtag crew, and it is easily one of the best licensed comics on the shelves today. If you’re a Serenity fan and you’re not following Leaves on the Wind, you’re missing out on a massive level. (Imagine being a die-hard Firefly fan who just never happened to watch Serenity. That’s the kind of quality and epically huge story events that you’re missing out on.) I mentioned Dan Dos Santos’ chilling, yet beautiful, cover artwork for Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #3 in my review for last month’s issue, but the impact of the powerful imagery (hands of blue, River’s surgery scars, the vicious maw of a reaver) hasn’t lessened over the last 30 days. Whedon’s script matches the impact of Santos’ impressive work, taking us on an enlightening “vision quest” through River’s fractured mind and spending a decent amount of quality time with the wacky, unpredictable, and captivating bounty hunter Early (both Whedon and Jeanty work hard to perfectly capture the character’s menace-filled, yet entertaining, nature from the TV series).
In all honesty, I hate to bore FBC’s readers with lots of reviews that do nothing but sing high praise, but, much like last year’s Angel & Faith series, there’s really no bad here . . . and that’s really, really good! Dark Horse has reached a new level of quality and skill when it comes to producing comics based on or continuing an existing franchise (especially when the name “Whedon” is attached). If you’re enjoying Serenity: Leaves on the Wind, I’d urge you to check out other comic series in the current Dark Horse line up. Trust me . . . you’ll find something shiny.
Given that this issue isn’t released ’till Wednesday, I don’t want to spoil any of the major plot points for fans, but let me say that Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #3 ends with an incredibly exciting reveal that had me standing up and yelling, “HELL, YES!” when I read it.
FINAL VERDICT: Every issue of this series has been a MUST READ, and Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #3 doesn’t buck that trend. It’s unbelievably good!
Serenity: Leaves on the Wind #3 will be released this Wednesday, March 26th, 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.
That’s all for now, comic book sniffers.
’Till the end of the world,
Bryant the Comic Book Slayer
@ComicBookSlayer
If you’re craving more goodies from the Whedon comic-verse to feed you addiction, then don’t miss my “Comic Patrol” posts every Friday at www.whedonopolis.com! “Comic Patrol” is a regular, weekly feature pointing out articles, previews, and tidbits relating to the Whedon comic-verse, and it’s hosted by your friendly, neighborhood Comic Book Slayer! I’ll see you there, comic book sniffers!
