( CNN ) -- To say the gone-too-soon series `` Firefly '' has a devoted fan base might be the biggest understatement in sci-fi fandom . Eight years after Fox grounded the crew from Serenity , a loyal following still longs for any chance to return to director Joss Whedon 's fully realized mashup of outer space and the Old West . Luckily for them , Whedon is a comic-book fan . In 2005 's `` Serenity : Those Left Behind '' and 2008 's `` Serenity : Better Days '' -- both produced by Whedon for Dark Horse Comics -- we get to see Captain Mal and friends in action . Now , with `` Serenity : Float Out , '' there 's a chance to stop in for a more personal visit with one of the crew 's most beloved characters . `` Float Out , '' released Thursday by Dark Horse , is written by actor , comedian and `` Firefly '' devotee Patton Oswalt based on an idea he floated to Whedon . It focuses on Wash , the wise-cracking ace pilot whose stunning death at the end of `` Serenity '' can still bring some devoted browncoats to tears with a single mention . The one-off book opens with three friends of Wash ( full name : Hoban Washburne ) pausing to remember him before christening a new ship -- The Jetwash -- in his honor . That setup serves as an excuse to flash back to three stories from Wash 's past , each showing a different side of his endearing personality . Diehard fans wo n't learn a whole lot about Wash that they did n't already know . And anyone hoping to see the entire Serenity crew back together will be disappointed . But Wash and surprise endings apparently go together . There 's a big one in the book 's final pages -- one that both offers a huge emotional payoff for `` Firefly '' fans and will have them desperately hoping for more . Different from Whedon 's fully involved `` Buffy '' series on Dark Horse , the occasional `` Serenity '' books feel like brief visits with old friends . And `` Float Out '' is a good one . The next visit is scheduled for November , when `` Serenity : The Shepherd 's Tale , '' a look at the backstory of Shepherd Book , is due to be released .
New `` Serenity '' comic focuses on fan favorite Wash. `` Float Out '' has a surprise ending that we wo n't spoil . The new series will be available for purchase in the United States and Canada starting this fall.