Boom! Studios’ 2019 Free Comic Book Day sampler, titled “Welcome to the Whedonverse,” is a tantalizing peek at two of Boom!’s licensed properties, Firefly, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

The Firefly story, titled “Boss Moon: Birth of a Unificator,” is a prequel to the Firefly ongoing. It serves as an introduction to that title’s main protagonist, a new character (i.e., not from the television series) named Moon, a former soldier who fought against the Browncoats in the war. It’s a clever story, told from the perspective of a sheriff on a backwater frontier planet trying to recruit Moon to take his place. Writer Greg Pak gives a good insight into the history of this stoic figure, and this story enriches the issues already told. The art, by Ethan Young, is almost cartoony, owing a debt to Bruce Timm or Darwyn Cooke. The colors by Wesllei Manoel firmly set the book in its grungy, Western-style milieu, as does the lettering by Ed Dukeshire. This art team is a step up from the regular Firefly team; here’s hoping we see more of them.

The Buffy story, titled “Frenemies,” takes place after the most recent game-changing issue of the regular series and offers a tantalizing glimpse into the aftermath of that issue’s final page. It’s an exciting choice to have fan-favorite character Anya finally meet Buffy in the FCBD issue, and the tension is thrilling (they don’t exactly get along). Written by regular series author Jordie Bellaire, this story captures the tone of the series, as does the art by Dan Mora and Serg Acuña, with colors by Doug Garbark and letters by Ed Dukeshire. The FCBD issue ends with the first five pages of Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1.

This issue is a great jumping on point for and a very accurate representation of Boom! Studios’ licensed comics based on properties created by Joss Whedon. If you like what you see here, then you’ll likely enjoy both Firefly and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Grade: A