Issue: Farscape #9
Release Date: July 21, 2010
Story: Rockne S. O’Bannon
Script: Keith R.A. DeCandido
Artist: Will Sliney
Colors: Zac Atkinson
Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Cover A: Joe Corroney
Cover B: Will Sliney
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Now this is more like it. Despite some good miniseries and an adequate first eight issues, the ongoing Farscape series hasn’t blown me away. It hasn’t been bad, just… adequate. And when your source material is as exemplary as the television show was, adequate just isn’t really enough. However, this issue looks to me to be a turning point.
The story involves the crew of another renegade Leviathan that appeared in previous issues, and they bring some fun interactions, namely between the two pilots. They also bring new tensions for Crichton and Aeryn, which will no doubt lead somewhere. The crew of the other Leviathan is made up of former Peacekeepers, and have the possibility to be a good addition to the Farscape universe.
Another huge plus on the storyline side of things is the direction that Chiana is taking. Simmering in the background loudly over the past few issues, we finally get to see Chiana’s arc going somewhere. Granted, it’s not very far, but it can be inferred that we’ll be seeing a more active progression of it from here on out. Oh yeah, there’s also the possible return of a old enemy in this issue, as well. Not too shabby.
The story here is a bit muddled if you haven’t been reading, but that’s kinda how the TV show worked. The first season of Farscape was rocky, but worth the rough patches to get into the second season and all its glory. I’d like to be clear here (unintentional rhyme!) and state that I am completely jumping the gun on this. This is just the first issue of a new story arc and it’s not perfect, but it’s got a certain something.
There are a couple of jokes that fall flat, involving Noranti as usual. I don’t know anyone who liked her character in the series, and this applies to both the fans and the characters. If you like the character, please let me know why in the comments section, seriously. But I digress, this is the first time since starting into the continuing adventures of Crichton and company that I feel like there’s some noteworthy story going on. A lot of it has been building for a while, particularly with Chiana, but it seems to be less meandering and aimless.
As for the art, I’m not going to beat a dead horse (same artist and colorist, same problems), so I’ll mention a huge positive: a two page section that happens about nine pages in. It uses some of the same art design the show always had to frame a couple of lackluster talky panels that all comics have these days. It’s not a huge deal, but it’s just nice to see a little effort to break up the typical pages in an action-lite issue.
Better than the previous stuff, but still not quite there (but how can it without Ben Browder, Claudia Black, and the rest of the cast lending their inflections?), this is an issue I’d recommend coming on board with if you’ve been putting it off because the story hasn’t been what you’re looking for. It looks good for the next issue anyway. I can only hope that the next issue can keep up with my expectations.
Rating: 4 / 5 Stars
About the Author
Christopher Bohler was doomed to geekdom from birth. Named after the legendary horror icon, Christopher Lee, his parents ensured his nerdity with Star Wars toys, comics, and oh so many books.At a young age, Bohler was adopted by a Zenith television set. He's watched just about anything and everything that isn't a reality show. Lil' Bohler's childhood hero was Bill Bixby and he had dreams of being a paleontologist and working with the likes of Robert Bakker. Sadly, something went horribly wrong. Instead of becoming a future scientist, he chose to become an English major with an emphasis on creative writing.
In between there and here, Bohler has managed his father's comic book store, worked at the Battlestar Galactica prop auction, and won a game of Connect Four. Some of his favorite things are Bruce Campbell, tater tots, theoretical physics, Twin Peaks, Farscape, zombies, costuming, and the occasional video game. Bohler loves books, music, movies, comics, video games and above all else... television (it's the future of storytelling, just look at Lost).
Christopher currently lives in Atlanta, GA (sorta) and when he's not in front of a TV, he's working, writing, or drinking. Check out his non-fandom blog, damnitbohler.com, for his adventures into bad taste. If you feel the need you can reach him at bohler@damnitbohler.com.
After Zhaan and Jool, Noranti became my most favorite character in the series. Of course, I liked everyone else but Noranti took a special place in my heart. I liked her knowledgeable side (Bringing Home the Beacon, Twice Shy) and her spiritual side (We’re So Screwed) that was to be magnified in the season 5 that we never got.
She had her comical bits, which I always found to be hilarious, such as her dance in Lava’s A Many Splendored Thing. After Dog With Two Bones and the What Was Lost episodes, which mainly featured her frelling with peoples’ minds, she became a little more motherly (in her own way, trying to feed people and all that jazz.) She was clever, weird and interesting. I didn’t know many people didn’t care for her. :/