Hey, it's been a year folks!

[Mike@Pilots Chamber]

Guess what? It's been (roughly) a year since the new Farscape comics (let's not forget War Torn) were released, and I think it'd be a good idea to have a look at how they've come along, how it's changed Farscape and generally what's going on.

(that's your cue KRAD)

Currently I know of three comic shops where I live and they all get regular copies. However, I'm not sure if it's a good sign or not that, when visiting the main one, they don't really have that many (and this is either on release day or a few days later). The sales were extremely good when it started, and I can only hope they're staying the same way.

The comics themselves are definitely unique - indeed, they swap around artists quite a lot though I'm unsure if comics do that regularly anyway. Not to mention the D'Argo series (they just love the guy). This does bring in a fresh approach, as was seen flitting between "Gone and Back" and "D'Argo's Trial".

The stories are definitely different, but still Farscape. The pace does seem to have changed as we're now in peacetime after the end of the PK/Scarran conflict and (SPOILERS) - Rygel has his throne back. Of course this means Rygel's no longer aboard and the crew have a safe haven - something that's never happened before. But what are the crew doing? John and Aeryn have nothing but each other - and Deke of course. Noranti will just hang around. But Chiana and Jo'thee seem to be straggling along. Hopefully the "new" introduction of Roiin will give everyone more of a sense of direction.

Overall though I do have to remember we've only had three complete "episodes" (not counting the D'Argo series of course). But I've found these comics an excellent way of continuing Farscape. The writing is excellent (again, cue KRAD) and the artwork, whilst differing due to the different artists, still keeps the Farscape style.

Other thoughts anyone?

[gregorach]

Well, I've been lurking back here a bit of late since the comics started coming out, so I suppose it's about time I stuck my oar in... ;)

On the whole, I think they've been very good. When you think about it, it's a really tall order for the Boom! team - Farscape was a very "dynamic" production, with constant last-minute script changes and a fair bit of ad-libbing from the cast, who all worked really well together (and with the rest of the production team). So, it's got to be a heck of a challenge for one writer working more-or-less in isolation to recapture that feel - and I'd have to say that KRAD has done a sterling job of it.

The other thing we have to remember is that it's a lot easier to dissect a comic than a TV episode - you can go back over the whole thing frame by frame at your leisure, so any inconsistencies or flaws stand out rather than just slipping by in the blur of action. Plus, I don't know about anybody else, but I keep having to remind myself that it's not Sandman, so I don't need to pick over every panel with a fine-tooth comb looking for clues and literary allusions...

I particularly like that all the characters "sound" right - even the extras. For example, I couldn't help reading Coron with an Australian accent. :) OK, there have been a couple of "bad panel" moments, but hey - it's a production comic on a tight deadline, and they can't all be masterpieces. The important thing is that the stories are good and the characters are convincing.

OK, they're not as good as a new series would be - but I've long reconciled myself to the fact that that's just not happening, and I'm happy to take whatever I can get... All in all, top marks to the team at Boom! (and the good folks at Henson's) for doing such a bang-up job of the nearly impossible. I just wish they came out more often! :D

[Nicola]

I am very pleased with the comics. I do have occasional quibbles with some art work but that is minor.

I am loving the way they are telling a longer story over the course of the series. Not just four issue arc and then reset. We are getting a loooooong story arc - just like the series. And I am very interested in how this story is going to play out.

I have always been interested in why Aeryn can 'see' wormholes before they appear and I hope that TPTB (KRAD?) will at some point address Chiana's powers as well.

I love the concept of Unrealized Realities and I think that Rockne and KRAD are barely skimming the surface of the underlying reality of Unrealized Realities in the comics. :D

[SpyderDan]

The comics are some of the best licensed-property-based comics I've ever seen. It's absolutely amazing how they have managed to perfectly recreate the tone of the series. Most comics that are based on movies or TV series can't do that.

[KRAD]

^ Wow. Thanks so much! *blush*

[SpyderDan]

^ Wow. Thanks so much! *blush*

Haha no, thank you, Krad!

[RustySlinky]

Slight learning curve in switching from the video to the comics: At first, maybe the scenes I would fixate on while watching wouldn't be exactly the moments that would be depicted in a comics depiction of the same story. I've also adjusted more focus towards the story and a little less on visuals. A little more reflection, a little less adrenaline. More on general character traits, and less on mannerisms like head tilts, accents, and heavy breathing - like books, these come with the imagination.

There's less surprise as one can get a quick glimpse of the overall spread of the two pages before zooming in on each individual frame; But at the same time, there's a better feel of how the story comes together, especially being able to flip backwards or forwards quickly.

What was surprising personally though, was it being easier to adjust from comics to screen, than from the screen to comics. I do get though, that some folks have it harder the other way.

But, still good, just a little different with the medium change, all in all, IMO. :yum: