Firefly: Blue Sun Rising vol. 1
Recap
Sheriff Mal Reynolds has a new partner—a law enforcing robot from the Blue Sun corporation, who doesn't care about motives, about mercy, about anything other than enforcing the law—no matter the cost. The Blue Sun Corporation has helped to run the ‘Verse from the shadows for years, but they’re ready to step into the light and take over. If Mal wants to keep his job and protect his sector, the smart move would be to play by their rulebook. But for Mal, there’s really one choice —reunite the crew of the Serenity for one last impossible job to save the ‘Verse.
Review
The art is fantastic. The artists really create a space western in this story. The costume designs look like western wear, even the opening shows what could be described as a raid on a prospector. The firearms have more of a look of western six shooters than space age blasters or laser weapons. When Mal fires his weapons, the sound effects are reminiscent of lead firing weapons instead of energy firing weapons that one expects in science fiction. The setting with the dusty grounds and the dust in the air also makes me think of the western wilderness in movies where we see cowboys riding their horses across the dusty desert landscape.
Story wise, this story makes me think which I always enjoy. It appears to be a study of what makes a good lawman. A man with a heart or a knowledge of protocol and the law.
The two sides are personified by Mal, the former captain of the Firefly and a pirate that could rival Han Solo himself. Now he is the sheriff. The question is should he be the sheriff. This world is run by the Blue Sun which could be described as a privatized government. Mal is chosen because of who he is and the sense of peace and calm his face brings to the backwater worlds. Mal decides to take on the job in order to save his old friend Ma from being hunted. It is better if she is hunted by him than some other lawman.
The other side is the machines and robots that start out being used as his deputies but soon takes on Mal’s face and his appearance of character but is defined by the legalistic interpretation of the penal codes and policies. Policies that allow for the use of deadly force for an infraction such as simple shop lifting by a child if that child runs from the authorities. Fortunately in this instance, Mal is there to breath some heart into this situation. The girl is not shot but she is will be dealt with by her grandmother.
When these robots that have Mal’s face start their murderous and violent enforcement of the law that their own creator, Agent Manhattan joins with Mal and his reformed crew of the Firefly to put an end to these robots once and for all.
Final Thoughts
An action packed study of what makes a lawman, the heart or the brain. Enjoyable for the action and the thought provoking story line. I may be the only one who never watched the original Firefly show, but this wants me to pick up the Firefly comic regularly.
Firefly: Blue Sun Rising vol. 1: The Heart or the Letter of the Law
- Writing - 9/109/10
- Storyline - 9/109/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10