Despite having more ambitious titles patiently waiting for me on my bookshelf, there are moments when all I want is to pick up something a little more familiar, comforting, even nostalgic. That’s exactly what the Farscape comic books are for me. From the moment I caught my very first episode of the series, I was hooked. From the wild visuals, to the strange alien cultures, and even the brilliant blend of chaos and heart, the show captivated me. Despite falling in love with the storylines, it was the characters who have stayed with me. Over the years, my appreciation for the show has only deepened, and the comics have become a welcome extension of that love. Sitting down to re-read Strange Detractors felt less like reading a comic and more like reuniting with old friends who haven’t missed a beat.
While The Beginning of the End of the Beginning provides a strong foundation for this new era of storytelling, Strange Detractors truly hits its stride. It’s a second installment that doesn’t just continue the journey, it grounds the new series, anchoring itself firmly in the emotional history and legacy of the show.
Picking up directly after the first miniseries, this four-part arc wastes no time diving back into the lives of John Crichton and Aeryn Sun, now grappling with the challenges of raising a child in a galaxy that never stays quiet for long. As ever in the Farscape universe, peace is a luxury very few can afford. Though the story here is fresh and original, it artfully echoes ideas from the series’ past, particularly Crackers Don’t Matter. Granted, the setup is completely different, but the resulting chaos and the crew’s raw and emotionally charged interactions are similar, mirroring some of the show’s most iconic moments. Longtime fans will recognize mirrored moments, especially between Aeryn and Crichton, that hit with emotional weight for longtime fans.
Of course, Farscape was never just about plot. Though they were excellent, the show thrived on its characters. And the comics continue to carry that torch. One of the show’s greatest strengths was its willingness to evolve. Characters came and went, be it Chiana, Jool, or Zhaan. Yet each arrival and departure mattered. Every face that joined Moya’s crew brought something meaningful. They were never treated as filler. That legacy lives on in Strange Detractors, which reintroduces a couple familiar faces to the fold. Given the writers could have created new characters for this story, the choice to reintroduce these characters could have been a nostalgic gimmick. Thankfully, this reintroduction feels earned, like a natural progression of their lives and arcs that never ended. These returns add depth, not distraction, to the story being told.
Whether you’re a seasoned Farscape veteran or someone freshly emerging from discovering this series, Strange Detractors delivers a satisfying, emotionally layered continuation that honors what made the show so loved. It doesn’t just look or sound like the television show. Rather it just feels like Farscape. Despite finding ourselves in a world where continuations often lose their magic, keeping that authentic feeling is something special.
While a digital version of the story is readily available here, I’d recommend seeking out the newly released first volume of the physical omnibus. This first tome collects the first half of the available comics, including Strange Detractors. While the second half of the full omnibus will be released later this year, the initial collection will be available in both softcover and hardcover formats. However you choose to experience it, you’re in for a journey that feels like coming home.
