A Shepherd’s Tale

Shepherd Book is one of the most interesting characters in the Firefly/Serenity universe.

Drawing by: alida saxon

Despite constant rumors to the contrary, we are as likely to see a faster-than-light drive in our lifetime come from basic research proposed by Republicans as we are to see a Serenity sequel. Joss Whedon said that the only reason rumors persist is that the fans and the cast really want to see it happen. Count me in.

On the other hand, I may have to expand my comic purchase parameters. So far, I have avoided any of the numerous Whedenesque comics other than Buffy the Vampaire Slayer Season 8—say Angel: After the Fall or Serenity: Better Days. That may have to change.

An MTV blog reported that Whedon has agreed to answer the most asked questions from the Firefly/Serenity universe: “So what is it about Book? How does a preacherman get to know so much about guns and have such a high government clearance?” My guess is that he was an Operative—an invisible government agent with unlimited authority to complete whatever mission is assigned. Even though it’s possible he was a bounty hunter, I’m sticking to my theory at least until next year when a three-issue series called A Shepherd’s Tale will be released to supply Book’s backstory.

Book Review: Wolves at the Gate

Goddard, Drew (2008). Wolves at the Gate: Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 8, Issue 3. Cover source: Dark Horse Comics

Andrew: Oh, hi, Buffy. Hi, nude Asian girl…. How much Dramamine did I take?

—Drew Goddard

Wolves at the Gate comprises issues 12–15 of Season 8. As of this writing, it has not been reissued in book form, but that is only a matter of time given the previous history of this series.

Wolves returns the focus to Buffy, but it still feels like an arc device. That is, its main purpose seems to be to move the season along rather than to stand on its own. When BtVS was on the air, each season always included at least one show so dedicated. While important to the season, they were never very satisfying.

Wolves is an improvement on these other arc devices in that it provides a look at new facets of Buffy’s character. It also provides some insights into the relationship between Xander and Dracula, who appears to fight on the side of the slayers out of personal vanity because a group of upstart vampires in Tokyo have stolen some of his powers.

But Drew Goddard is what really separates Wolves from previous arc devices. He brings the wit and humor that characterized the series to the comic form. The writing is superb, making us fall in love with the characters again. What this episode lacks in plot, it more than makes up for in character development. Maybe, it isn’t just an arc device after all. Read it and decide for yourself.

Time Passages

Al Stewart wrote many of my favorite songs.

Photo Soucre: AlStewart.com

Hear the echoes and feel yourself starting to turn

Don’t know why you should feel that there’s something to learn

It’s just a game that you play

—Al Stewart

I am back-posting Friday’s Feast. It’s really 2 January as I write this, but I’m dating it for the right date. I would like to say that I was late because I was thinking really deep thoughts or carefully considering my answers, but that would not be honest.

Friday’s Feast

Appetizer: Name two things you would like to accomplish in 2008.

• Become solvent again
• Have a nice wedding

Soup: With which cartoon character do you share personality traits?

There used to be a character named Ernest. Not only do we share a name, we also share many personality traits. My favorite quote: “Imagine all these young bucks going around trying to re-invent the wheel. Don’t they realize I re-invented it years ago?”

Salad: What time of day (or night) were you born?

11:45 AM. Just in time for lunch. Explains my life-long struggle with weight.

Main Course: Tell us something special about your hometown.

It has one of the highest cancer mortality rates in the country. Lots of chemicals.

This is a picture of my home town taken last Thanksgiving.

Dessert: If you could receive a letter from anyone in the world, who would you want to get one from?

I thought about this one for a while before deciding on Al Stewart, my favorite song writer. He was too literate to have more than a couple of commercial hits, and even those were out of sync with what was going on in the music of the day. You may remember “Year of the Cat,” “On the Border,” or “Time Passages.”