If you’ve been visiting the blog recently, you know I’ve been revisiting the beloved series, Firefly. I’m very excited about more adventures in the ‘Verse, even if it’s an animated one. And while I own, and love a lot of the comics that sprang up following the film, Serenity, I had never read any of the novels.

So if I wanted new adventures with this beloved crew, why not check them out?

Nancy Holder developed a story idea which Lovegrove took and ran with. Yes, Whedon was involved. It’s his property after all, but this definitely reminds us about the separation of art and artist, and all the people, not just him, who brought it to life.

Set between the series and film, the story, Big Damn Hero, fleshes out some of Malcom Reynold’s past on Shadow while referencing moments from the series.

The firefly-class ship, Serenity, is just trying to stay afloat. The crew is barely getting by and, of course, the Alliance is still looking for River and Simon Tam.

The crew are on Persephone, and picking up a highly problematic cargo to transport for minor crime lord, Badger. Reynolds also has a lead on another job opportunity, and he, Zoe, and Jayne follow-up on it.

Unfortunately, it leads to Mal’s kidnapping!

Zoe is forced to divide her attentions; the cargo MUST be delivered quickly, and she needs to find Mal. All of the crew are put through their moments. Inara, River and Simon join Shepard Book on Persephone (as a way to avoid the Alliance and run down leads), Wash flies, and Jayne’s muscles and limited brainscope may lend a helpful hand to Zoe.

We learn that Mal has been grabbed by some vigilantes, former Browncoats, who fought against the Alliance. They’ve taken Mal, because someone in their number has named him a traitor to the cause, and they plan to execute him.

Time is not only running for Mal, but the cargo as well.

Moving at a relentless pace, the story takes us back to Mal’s youth and plants the seeds for what plays out as his life hangs in the balance.

I really enjoyed this one. And knowing all the names attached to the story, it’s about as canon as you can get. Lovegrove has a fairly solid handle on the dialogue style that permeated the series, and it’s obvious this is a labor of love.

I really enjoyed this one. And while not all of the characters had lots to do, every one of them was involved in the story, leaving their personality indelibly imprinted on the page. And as the story ends,

Make the deal, get out, keep flying.