Firefly Vol. 5: New Sheriff in the 'Verse: Part Two

Firefly (Collected Editions) #5

by Greg Pak

Mal Reynolds said becoming a Sheriff wouldn’t change him - but now that he’s been ordered to arrest the crew of Serenity, the ‘verse is gonna put the former Captain to the ultimate test!

SHERIFF MAL REYNOLDS VS SERENITY?! When the notorious outlaw Mal Reynolds agreed to wear a sheriff's badge, he figured he could change a thing or two about how "justice" is dispensed in the 'Verse. And maybe he did. But his former crew members on Serenity are about to find out if the badge has changed him -- when he finally throws them in jail! With the whole 'Verse turned upside down, a new outlaw appears on the scene., calling himself the Bandit King, and he’s bound and determined to take Mal's old position as the most incorrigibly independent law-bender around. Has Mal finally met his match? They say you can't trick a trickster, but in this brand new 'Verse, Mal may be in for the surprise of his life. New York Times best-selling writer Greg Pak (Darth Vader) and rising star artist Lalit Kumar Sharma (Daredevil) present the next exciting chapter continuing Joss Whedon’s acclaimed series. Collects Firefly #16-20.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Fiction, Comic Book, Adventure, Graphic Novels Comics

143 pages, Kindle Edition

First published February 2, 2021

About the author

Greg Pak is an award-winning Korean American comic book writer and filmmaker currently writing "Lawful" for BOOM and "Sam Wilson: Captain America" (with Evan Narcisse) for Marvel. Pak wrote the "Princess Who Saved Herself" children's book and the “Code Monkey Save World” graphic novel based on the songs of Jonathan Coulton and co-wrote (with Fred Van Lente) the acclaimed “Make Comics Like the Pros” how-to book. Pak's other work includes "Planet Hulk," "Darth Vader," "Mech Cadet Yu," "Ronin Island," "Action Comics," and "Magneto Testament."

Reviews

[Robert · Rating 3 out of 5]

The less time the original gang spends together the less enjoyable the series becomes.

[Ronie · Rating 4 out of 5]

They're not *amazing ... but it's so nice to "come home" to Serenity, to Mal, River, Zoe, Wash, Kaylee, Book, Jayne, and Simon ... Kinda thinking this will never get old ...

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

This run is when I finally gave up on the Firefly comics. It’s not Firefly. The characters don’t act or sound like themselves. Mal leaving Serenity to play at sheriff for a job I could see; leaving Serenity for good to be sheriff? No way. Pak clearly wants to tell his own story, but it’s not a Firefly story anymore.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheriff Mal corrals a killer with some suspicious hi-tech armor, then takes down a new "Bandit King" who's intent on helping Kaylee's outlaw efforts. In both cases, the story concludes with a muted "big reveal," dampening the impact. This second volume of New Sheriff in the 'Verse is better than the first, but it's still a mixed bag of good dialogue and mediocre storytelling.

One missing piece: the crew of the Firefly aren't acting much like a cohesive crew now that Mal's a sheriff. And Greg Pak seems intent on introducing new content to the Firefly universe (good!), but doesn't delve into the specifics. Namely, I'd like to know more about the internal Blue Sun struggles - a political battle within a galaxy-spanning corporate empire sounds neat, if not exactly classic Firefly. Finally: Mal was the bandit king all along? I didn't bother to re-read any issues, but that seems patently implausible that he could dupe everyone with a voice-changer. He'd almost certainly have to have been in two places at once!

[iamjacsmusings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firefly was always fronted by Captain Tightpants as the charismatic roguish anti-hero with a heart of gold but the shiny in the show came from the chemistry amongst the crew. So it makes sense that the best bits of this volume are when the disparate found family of the good ship Serenity reunites together.

Sadly, these moments are few and far between...

It's always fun to soar through the 'Verse but the sooner Mal quits acting as "Sheriff" the better.

[Tom Mathews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever I read one of these Firefly graphic novels, I get this silly notion that someday, someone will create a new TV series based in The 'Verse. Is Firefly: The Next Generation too much to ask for?

[Drew Grisamore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay, I liked the ending though. But these two volumes weren’t the best

[Milan Pohl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Greg Pak potvrzuje, že dokáže psát Firefly se správnou směsicí nového a starého - a nejen to, hlavně s nějakou vizí, kam směřovat a jak děj rozvíjet. Drobnou vadou na kráse je fakt, že jeho vize občas trochu drhne s dříve vzniklými příběhy z univerza Firefly/Serenity, nejen staršími komiksy, ale příležitostně i s původním seriálem a filmem. Jo, a Leonard, který balí Kaylee, mi připadá čím dál otravnější. Nebýt těchto dvou výtek, tentokrát by to bylo na plné hodnocení, celý příběh "šerif Mal vs. Modré slunce vs. Serenity", okořeněný velmi zábavnou a vynalézavou zápletkou s "Králem banditů" (která je při druhém čtení snad ještě vtipnější), se opravdu povedl.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good story in the Firefly universe from Pak and crew. While has been acting as the new Sheriff to get close to and learn more about Blue Sun, his friends have been robbing them over and over and it's drawn the attention of some powerful people. Mal tries to convince them to lie low for a while or commit their robberies in another sector, but Kaylee, Jayne, and Benitez-Chang just accuse of Mal of getting soft and working for the man. How can Mal protect his friends and satisfy those in power who want the thieves caught ... or eliminated?

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun twist focused on new scenes and characters rather than trying to "repeat the formula" just to sell books. Some are unhappy because Pak is trying new things, but I think it's fine. I feel like of the show hadn't been cancelled there would have been little off shoot stories like these around season 3 or 4. At first I was unhappy with how they were treating it, but it's just a different approach. Boom isnt dark horse. I didnt like the direction this was going, but with time I think it's really growing on me.

[Katie Kaste · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mal is still the sheriff on Hera investigating murder of the locals. Kaylee, the bandit, and Jayne are running thefts against the Blu Sun company. Wash, Zoe, River, Simon, and Doc are out searching for a place for them and the other browncoats to settle. Inara is still on New Magisterium running interference for her friends. I’m a little tired of the crew being separated. I’ve started the next volume and they are getting the gang back together, which is good. I think after this next volume I’m going to take a break and restart next month so I can get some space before I read more.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, the series is hurtling itself off a cliff at a rapid pace. The team aspect of the book has been completely taken away by Greg Pak, who still does well with the dialogue. There is a laughably obvious twist that defies belief and the book is portrayed as cartoony as hell instead of this cool, space western that it should be. I really didn't like this volume. The art was okay for what it was but the entire series has probably hit the point of no return. Overall, its hard to believe this was written by Greg Pak, as it lacks the creativity that he's know for.

[Cherie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mal continues to gain notoriety as the Sheriff, but he’s gained the attention of a murder and Blue Sun. He also has to reign in the Chang-Benitez Gang, since they’ve now garnered the attention of Blue Sun with their thieving. The problem is they won’t stop thieving despite Mal’s best attempts. Also a new, not-so-mysterious, Bandit King appears on the scene and starts making waves.

Not as good as the last volume. The storyline to this one was a little predictable, but it was still fun and exciting.

[Joey Nardinelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like we’re inching ever so closer to being in Serenity territory and then I would wager this series goes on hiatus until they can do some sort of story reboot. Not much to see here — no interesting new characters, Mal still struggling to cover for the Chang-Benitez gang while functioning as a sheriff pressed into worker with Blue Sun. Some of the set (in 17-18) is pretty poor but the rest of the book and the writing in all of it ranges from sufficient to fairly entertaining.

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Mal continues to take his role seriously as the sheriff, not pandering to the corruption and basically being a Robin Hood hero undercover. Thing is, the Blue Sun conglomerate is not going to be blind to his machinations for long which will only spell more trouble for him and his scattered crew.

Fans can count on the usual action adventure that ensues!

[Sohrab Rezvan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unfortunately, the series continues to decrease in quality. The series started pretty strong with great dialogue and characters that fit in with the original series. As the series goes on, the plot gets sillier and the art is really uneven.

[Kathleen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh. This was only ok, I didn't like how it ended, wasn't surprised by the twist... nice art. Thank you Public Library, for having these (try before you buy!) I probably will not add these to my shelf unless I come across them used & cheap (likely).

[Chrisie]

Liked this one a little more than the first one although I still can't wrap my head around Mal skating. The art for both waffled between a close(ish) likeness to the actors and me not being sure who is who.

[Anika · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75⭐️ This installation felt more like our crew. Was the twist super obvious? Sure but I was having a fun time. & hey we got Inara fighting with a shield!

“This is bad. The ‘verse is getting small. I like it big. Big enough to disappear into.”

[Xavier Marturet · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best Greg Pak's Firefly stories.
Here it's really like to watch new TV episodes.

[Gene Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay. It doesn't feel quite right though. I dislike it when half the cast is off screen for most of the volume. I think I may be done with these comics.

[kaitlphere · Rating 3 out of 5]

Issues #16 and #20 felt exciting true to the characters. Issues #17-#19 felt like filler and messy drama.

[Lynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Sidsel Sander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fed historie, men lidt irriterende, at tegnestilen hele tiden ændrede sig.

[Caity McPhe · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Thia Reads A Lot · Rating 3 out of 5]

Firefly: New Sheriff in the 'Verse Vol. 2 - Greg Pak, Davide Gianfelice (Illustrator), George Kambadais (Illustrator), and others
Rating: ★★★½
Mal is still trying to catch the murderer (links to Blue Sun?), while Kaylee, Jane and [the bandit] rob stuff. Mal pretends to be the "Bandit King" to put them out of the radar. Inara gets someone high up in Blue Sun involve with Mal. Zoe is looking for planets for everyone, finally found one at the end.

So this is happening before the Serenity movie, which ruins some things for me. Their 'haven' won't be as safe as they think it will be, for example. It is unclear how Mal will stop being the sheriff for the timeline to be respected.

Reading Journal Index: 2023-118

[Cale · Rating 2 out of 5]

So does that big twist really make sense? I'll admit I was kind of tired when I was reading this, so it felt a bit off. We get more of Mal front and center and the rest of the crew on the periphery, although the moments that focus on their adventures feel more true to the series than the main plot.
I'm still not sold on the whole Mal as Sheriff thing, as it does force him to act out of character more often than not - even when the story comments on this, though, it tries to paper it over a bit rather than really addressing the issue. It all comes to an end that does again attempt to justify the actions, but this whole book fell flat for me.

[Elsabeth Marriott · Rating 3 out of 5]

Continuation of the first. Thought it would round up the story but doesn’t.

[C2015]

Probably about the same, 3.5 stars. Some fun bits

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Figured out the twist earlish on. Liked the concept of what was going on. I'd be happy to get ahold of what happens before and after.