Summary

• Boom! Studios' Firefly: Malcolm Reynolds: Year One #1 is set to give fans the long-awaited definitive origin story of Captain Mal Reynolds, the protagonist of the beloved, short-lived TV series.
• Year One promises to delve into Mal's past, revealing the turning point that led him into the war, where he truly became the character fans were captivated by on-screen.
• Boom! Studios continues expanding Firefly lore with Year One, adding depth to world of the story, and to the characters who inhabit it.

Captain Mal Reynolds is finally getting the definitive origin story that Firefly fans 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 the Firefly Universe. The story will reveal the truth of how Malcolm Reynolds became the protagonist viewers grew so attached to on screen.

In addition to widening Firefly lore in a significant way, Year One has the chance to tap into some story potential that went untapped for decades.

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 on Firefly lore with the Unification War series, and now with Malcolm Reynolds: Year One, the publisher takes readers back even further.

Neither Firefly nor Serenity delved into Malcolm's pre-war life, leaving the details of his early years among foremost mysteries the fandom has long craved answers for. Boom! Studios Year One promises 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 spaceship Serenity?

Or, Year One writer 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 on Firefly lore with the Unification War series, and now with Malcolm Reynolds: Year One, the publisher takes readers back even further.

Even Firefly: 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, and with their Firefly comics, Boom! Studios' have picked several key periods in his life so that readers can witness that firsthand. Firefly fans should feel confident in the creative team for Malcolm Reynolds: Year One, as well. Sam Humphries previously wrote Firefly: 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.

In Firefly: 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 of 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 from Firefly, which could compel readers to rewatch in a new way after reading.

Firefly: Malcolm Reynolds: Year One #1 will be available on September 4 from BOOM! Studios