Farscape: D'Argo's Trial #1

Written by Keith RA DeCandido
Art by Caleb Cleveland
I can never seem to decide to stick with Boom's Farscape series or not. From the outset, I decided that the mini-series that were set between or before episodes of the show were going to be skippable - I have an interest in what Rockne O'Bannon had planned for the characters were the show not canceled, but have learned from regrettable liscensed comics purchases in the past that the ones that fill in the gaps are usually superfluous.

But then, I bought this book today, and its maybe the best Farscape comic I've read so far. This mini-series takes us into D'Argo's past, and chronicles his relationship with Lo'Lann, his wife. The story is very well-researched, reconciling some facts that were scattered throughout the four seasons of the show. We see the progression from D'Argo's impersonation of a general (to save his life) to the unlikely courtship of a Luxan warrior and a Sebacean farmgirl. DeCandido has a good feel for the character's nobility and stubbornness, and isn't playing this title for laughs (making it a little unlike the show, but maintaining a clear respect for the source material).

The best surprise in this book though is the art. The other artists, some of whom I've liked, all suffer to one degree or another from the stiff drawing that seems to be endemic to licensed properties. Caleb Cleveland's work is free and open, and does a great job of capturing the likenesses of the three characters familiar to us from the show. More than that though, he crafts a beautiful comic, reminding me of Marian Churchland's recent work on Elephantmen. His colours do not match the usual Farscape pallette, but to my mind, that aids the book in representing a different era in D'Argo's life.