by Rockne S. O'Bannon, Keith DeCandido and Tommy Patterson
Boom! Studios - $29.99
As a fan of one of the best science-fiction television shows to debut in the last 20 years, I was understandably distraught when hearing the news that Farscape was being taken off the air. After following the adventures of this unlikely crew of misfits for four cycles, I couldn't believe that this cult-classic was going to end with the mini-series, The Peacekeeper Wars. Although the mini-series managed to tie up a few loose ends, it definitely left me wanting more.
And then came the announcement out of San Diego Comic-Con International in 2008 that Boom! Studios had acquired the rights to continue the Farscape saga and that the show's creator, Rockne O'Bannon, was on board to write what he himself called "the fifth season." Needless to say, I was breathless with anticipation. Promising to pick up from where The Peacekeeper Wars ended and to take fans where they have never been before, "season five" had some high expectations and big shoes to fill.
So, did the first volume, "The Beginning of the End of the Beginning," live up to the hype that surrounded it? In a word, unequivocally!
Despite the delays between issues and the fact that the art is lacking in a few panels, the story holds strong throughout the first arc and lays the groundwork for the series to continue with the same depth of storytelling and character that attracted me to the series to begin with. With O'Bannon at the helm, I have the utmost faith that the on-going series of story arcs will not disappoint.
"The Beginning of the End of the Beginning" is a frellin' good story that reads like an episode and keeps the pages turning throughout. I highly recommend the series to anyone who is a true 'Scaper at heart.
