Summary
Captain Mal Reynolds is finally getting the definitive origin story thatFireflyfans have waited twenty-two years to see. To this day, there is a great deal of mystery surrounding Mal’s background, as neither the short-lived show nor the subsequent movie adaptation offered a proper, complete backstory for the character.
Firefly: Malcolm Reynolds: Year One#1 – written by Sam Humphires, with art by Giovanni Fabiano, in his comic book debut – is set to give fans of the cult-favorite sci-fi western more than just a fresh story set in theFirefly Universe. The story willreveal the truth of how Malcolm Reynolds became the protagonist viewers grew so attached to on screen.
In addition towideningFireflylore in a significant way,Year Onehas the chance to tap into some story potential that went untapped for decades.
New FIREFLY Comic Finally Answers the Show’s Biggest Question, But Fans May Not Like It
An upcoming Firefly one-shot from Boom! Studios and author Ryan Parrot explores an alternate continuity in which the Brownshirt faction won the war.
Boom! Studios Firefly Comics Reveal Mal Reynolds' Origin Story
Firefly: Malcolm Reynolds: Year One#1 – Written By Sam Humphires, Giovanni Fabiano, & Gloria Martinelli
Boom! Studios has previously elaborated onFireflylore with theUnification Warseries, and now withMalcolm Reynolds: Year One, the publisher takes readers back even further.
NeitherFireflynorSerenitydelved into Malcolm’s pre-war life, leaving the details of his early years among foremost mysteries the fandom has long craved answers for. Boom! StudiosYear Onepromises to do exactly that. From the details released about the series so far, it seems as though Mal will be immediately recognizable in many ways. As the official solicit for the premiere issue declares:
Despite starting from an unlikely place, Malcolm Reynolds has always been a troublemaker. Becoming a Browncoat was always meant to be. But what unexpected obstacles lie on that path to him becoming the Captain that fans know and love? To him assembling and leading the crew of the spaceshipSerenity?
Or,Year Onewriter Sam Humphries put it:
It was such an honor to tell the first year of the Unification War and the formative years of Mal. Unfortunately for him, the war isn’t as glorious as we’ve been led to believe. Giovanni, of course, killed it, and when you read this book you’ll be able to say you saw him when.
As Humphries mentioned, Boom! Studios has previously elaborated onFireflylore with theUnification Warseries, and now withMalcolm Reynolds: Year One, the publisher takes readers back even further.
EvenFirefly: The Unification War– which covered Malcolm’s time in the military – only delved so far into the character’s history. The show always gave an impression that Mal had been hardened by war, andwith theirFireflycomics, Boom! Studios' have picked several key periods in his life so that readers can witness that firsthand.Fireflyfans should feel confident in the creative team forMalcolm Reynolds: Year One, as well. Sam Humphries previously wroteFirefly:The Fall Guys, while talented artist Giovanni Fabiano excitingly makes his comic book debut on the title. As he said of the project:
It has been a true pleasure working on this project.It was an honor and a great responsibility to create the concept of the young versions of these characters from scratch. I had a lot of fun.
InFirefly:Malcolm Reynolds: Year One, readers will discover for the first time the specific turning point in his life that brought Mal Reynolds into the war.
Firefly Fans Are Long Overdue To Learn The Origin Of Captain Mal
Cover Art By Ejikure; Variant Covers By Annie Wu & Suspiria Vilchez
One of the big disappointments ofFirefly’stime onscreen being so short-livedis that the series never had the opportunity to truly delve into the characters at the center of the show,failing to fully resolve their stories. The show was never afforded the time to deepen the motivations of each character, namely its lead. Now,readers will discover for the first time the specific turning point in his life that brought Mal Reynolds into the war, critically recontextualizing what fans know already fromFirefly, which could compel readers to rewatch in a new way after reading.
Firefly: Malcolm Reynolds: Year One#1will be available on September 4 from BOOM! Studios
Firefly
Cast
Firefly is a science fiction television series set in the year 2517, focusing on the crew of the spaceship Serenity. As humans inhabit a new star system, the renegade crew, led by Captain Malcolm Reynolds, navigates conflicts and alliances while pursuing their own interests across lawless territories.
