Broken Frontier

BOOM! Studios' adaptation of Rockne S. O'Bannon's Farscape universe, particularly that of the David Alan Mack-written Farscape: Scorpius, has done a spectacular job of taking a television property and successfully transporting it into the comic realm, a feat often attempted but rarely achieved.  Hopefully, this has not only brought increased attention to DVDs of the show, but also illustrated Farscape's potential as a marketable investment for future development.

So many times, the science-fiction genre can be off-putting, particularly for readers not versed either in the source material (those who may not have seen the show) or in the often formulaic devices some writers employ in creating their stories.  Farscape: Scorpius suffers from neither of these limitations and in fact only improves through each subsequent story.  Issue #3 is a testament to the series' excellent plotting and story pacing in that audiences need not reread the previous issue to appreciate the new release unless solely out of the pure entertainment value it holds.  Recognizable characters, an intriguing narrative, and the perfect blend of action, drama, and mystery are endemic of this book so far.

Focusing on the encounter between Scorpius and Kkore General Ba, issue #3 finds Scorpius, regardless of the situation, still in complete control.  In spite of of the physical disadvantages Scorpius faces against Ba's sheer size alongside the precariousness of being suspect of deceiving the Grennij and stealing control of their vessel, Scorpius reveals no signs of weakness in the presence of such intimidations and accusations. With each calculated step, Scorpius indoctrinates himself further and further into the unknown world of the Kkore.  And, while he acknowledges their superiority and prowess, he never avoids the temptation to tout his own capabilities and value to his new alien hosts.  Yet, this boasting never appears self-satisfying, but rather as the natural product of a confident, rational mind who has not met its equal.  Even when General Ba captures Scorpius and interrogates him with an aurora chair, Scorpius shows no signs of fear but rather the comprehension that the procedure would be "a familiar nightmare" and "most invasive."  If the first two issues weren't evidence enough of Scorpius' intellectual capabilities, his trained resistance to mind probing and committed control of his memories combined with the strength he still assumes following the procedure in the face of General Ba are remarkable examples.  Readers should take pause here out of championing a villainous character as manipulative and dangerous as Scorpius, but then immediately resume reading the issue and take pleasure in his devious exploits.

Even captivity and isolation cannot temper Scorpius.  And, although he admits that he "may have finally overplayed" his game, he takes comfort in the fact that a Kkore execution would give him a death "at the hands of beings who are nearly my equals."  But, Scorpius still triumphs and despite the apparent disadvantage presented at the meeting with Ddan-Myr, the Supreme Kkore Ruler, a person who may in fact be his equal if not superior, he maintains his composure to the very end.  A case study in character and the mind, Farscape: Scorpius is a compelling and brilliant book.  David Alan Mack has taken audiences into a world crafted by Rockne S. O'Bannon and made it his own.