This arc is just breezing by me; we are already at issue #5 of Serenity Leaves on the Wind! I guess that shows how fluid the story line has been. Each issue just pours content and emotion and this one continues that. Shit really hits the fan when the crew breaks into the lab and issue 4 concludes with River’s line, “run.” Issue 5 transports us back to that moment as the crew has a look of confusion at River’s outburst. Georges Jeanty beautifully illustrates the panic in River’s face. They realize too late what she wanted them to run from as one of the children that was modified throws a sharp medical instrument at Mal’s neck. The lab turns into chaos as they scrabble to disarm the assailant. They are getting their asses handed to them until River injects a syringe into the chest of their attacker, sedating her.

Outside the lab even more chaos ensues as a full-out war is unleashed between the Alliance and Brown coats. The Alliance is outnumbered and the Brown coats rig their ship with explosives and capture one of their wounded. Finally things are looking up for the crew but their captive comes with some heavy news. The “New Resistance,” was all a set up and the vast majority has been wiped out by the Alliance. Whoever is left on Serenity is all that remains of the “New Resistance.” Mal chimes in with a determined and threatening speech. Hopefully, he can gain some information about where Zoe is. Even if can’t get this guy to talk, He has River to read his mind.

I’m kind of sad that this arc is ending so soon. But since we didn’t see any of Zoe in this issue, I’m crossing my fingers that Zack Whedon ends with an epic rescue.

Score: 4/5

Writer: Zack Whedon Artist: Georges Jeanty Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.50 Release Date: 5/28/14 Format: Mini-Series, Print/Digital