I’ve known for a while that Joss Whedon had written some Serenity comic books. I honestly don’t know why I didn’t read them earlier. Serenity is only the best movie ever and there’s absolutely no reason not to re-immerse myself in that world with those awesome characters. I’d say it’s because I don’t usually read comic books, so maybe I’m prejudiced against them? But that never stopped me from buying and devouring the Derrick Storm comic books, so I don’t think it’s that.
In any case, my awesome younger brother forced my hand by buying me two of the Serenity comic books for Christmas. But he only bought me volumes 3 and 4. Fortunately, my local library had the first two volumes on hand. Despite the easy access I had to these treasures I still put off reading them until I had more time – I know. It takes no time at all to read a comic book. File it under “I’m too busy” syndrome (pathetic, I know).
This past week I was in the midst of reading a more “serious” book about how to gain traction in the marketplace (review coming later this month). Then I got a terrible cold and didn’t feel up to the challenge of reading anything that would require me to actually think. Good thing I had those comic books handy.
On to the actual books. Despite my insistence on reading them in order, I don’t think that’s actually necessary. They do go in chronological order, but each volume also stands on its own pretty well. The first two volumes take place between the show and the movie. The third one is hard to place, but it’s the one I was really dying to read. It’s “The Shepherd’s Tale” and it starts during the movie, then goes backward in time in Book’s life. It’s awesome, and although it answered a lot of questions we all had about Shepherd, it really just left me wanting more.
Volume 4 takes place after the movie and here be spoilers, so consider yourself warned. Zoe is still dealing with Wash’s death, which isn’t made easier by the fact that she’s pregnant. Joss really knows how to screw over his characters in the worst ways possible.
But it’s not all bad. Thanks to the stunts she pulled helping Mal and the others, Inara has lost her license to prostitute, or whatever they call it. That apparently removes the barrier between her and Mal and now they’re officially together! That was – hands down – the most satisfying part of the whole series. It even looks like Joss is going to let them live happily ever after (squee!)
As far as the plot goes, it’s pretty much par for the course with that group. They get in trouble and they have to fight their way out of it. Guns and fistfights abound and it’s everything you would expect from these guys. It’s also deeply satisfying.
What about you guys? What did you read this week? Anything that got you through an illness? I want to hear all about it.